Haemato-biochemical response to lumbar epidural anaesthesia using bupivacaine alone and in combination with certain analgesics in buffalo calves

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of bupivacaine alone and in combination with fentanyl and edetomidine for lumbar epidural analgesia in fifteen buffalo calves. Haemato-biochemical parameters viz- Hb PCV, TLC, DLC, serum glucose, Serum Total protein, Serum urea nitrogen, Serum Creatinine, AST and ALT were measured after lumbar epidural administration of bupivacaine alone (group A), bupivacaine with fentanyl (group B) and bupivacaine with medetomidine (group C) animals (@ 0.15mg/kg body wt., 0.15mg/kg body wt + 2μgm/kg body wt, 0.15mg/kg body wt.+ 15μgm/kg body wt) respectively. Haematological studies revealed a not really significant decrease in Hb, PCV and TLC in group A and B, a significant (p <0.05) decrease in group C animals. Differential leukocytes count showed a significant decrease (p <0.01) in lymphocytes and a corresponding increase in neutrophil count in all the groups. Among biochemical parameters serum glucose showed a significant (p <0.01) increase. There was a significant increase in ALT activity, (p <0.05) in all 3 groups and (p <0.01) in group C. While AST activity increased significantly (p <0.05) in group C only, the BUN and serum creatinine values increased in group C. However, the values were compensated and returned towards preadministration level by 24 hrs.