Clinical Safety of Fentanyl-Propofol Anesthesia on Haemato-Biochemical Parameters in Dogs

The aim of the study was focused to find out the effect on haematological and biochemical parameters following administration of propofol in combination with fentanyl citrate. The present study was carried out on six apparently healthy mongrel dogs of either sex weighing approximately 15-20 kg. Each dog was subjected to three different treatments, and each treatment lasted for one day. An interval of 8 days between two treatments was provided. The haematological parameters like PCV, haemoglobin, total erythrocyte and total leucocyte counts showed non-significant decrease in all the three treatment groups. Significant (P<0.05) increase in neutrophil count and decrease in lymphocyte count was noticed in all the treatment groups. The eosinophils and monocytes did not show any significant changes. The biochemical parameters like glucose and total bilirubin showed significant increase (P<0.05) in all the three treatment groups. The alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and blood urea nitrogen were increased non-significantly while serum total protein and serum creatinine revealed no significant changes in all the three treatment groups. The haemato-biochemical changes induced by propofol and fentanyl citrate as pre-anaesthetics were of transient in nature and suggestive of least temporary alterations in liver and kidney functions. Thus, it is concluded that propofol in combination with fentanyl citrate as pre-anaesthetics can be used safely for induction of general anaesthesia in dogs with minimal or no side effects.