Haemato-Biochemical and Clinico-Surgical Effects of Dexmedetomidine and Tramadol as Premedicants to Zolazepam–Tiletamine Anaesthesia in Canine

Abstract

This study evaluated the haematological, biochemical, and clinico-surgical effects of three zolazepam–tiletamine-based anaesthetic protocols in dogs undergoing surgery. Eighteen clinically healthy adult dogs were randomly allocated to three groups of six. Group I received glycopyrrolate followed by zolazepam–tiletamine; Group II received glycopyrrolate, dexmedetomidine, and zolazepam–tiletamine; and Group III received glycopyrrolate, tramadol, and zolazepam–tiletamine. Blood samples collected at 0, 30, 60, and 120 min were analysed for haemoglobin, total leucocyte count, total erythrocyte count, packed cell volume, serum glucose, total protein, serum urea nitrogen, creatinine, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase. Haemoglobin, total leucocyte count, total erythrocyte count, packed cell volume, total protein, serum urea nitrogen, creatinine, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase showed gradual but non-significant decreases in all groups. Serum glucose increased significantly in all groups, with the greatest increase recorded in Group II. Clinico-surgical observations indicated that Group II had the shortest induction time and longest duration of anaesthesia, Group III provided an intermediate duration, and Group I had the shortest duration. All scheduled procedures were completed without reported anaesthetic complications. Overall, the protocols produced limited short-term alterations in the measured haematological and biochemical variables. However, comparative interpretation of clinico-surgical performance should remain cautious because different procedures were undertaken across the groups and standardised analgesia, anaesthetic-depth, and recovery-quality scores were not reported.