Comparison of Lidocaine and Lidocaine–Neostigmine for Epidural Analgesia in Water Buffalo Calves (Bubalus Bubalis)

The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of epidural injection of lidocaine alone and lidocaine plus neostigmine for perineal analgesia in buffalo. Caudal epidural analgesia was performed in ten water buffalo calves at the sacrococcygeal extradural space. It was produced in all calves by 2% lidocaine alone (LA) (0.22 mg/kg) and with 2 weeks intervals, repeated by a combination of lidocaine–neostigmine (LN) (0.22 mg/kg and 10 μg/kg respectively). Analgesia was tested using deep pin prick stimuli. The time of onset and duration of analgesia, ataxia, heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), and rectal temperature (RT) were compared among the two treatments. These parameters were determined before drug administration (baseline 0), at 10 minute intervals thereafter. haemato-biochemical parameters such as haemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV%), total leukocyte count (TLC), total erythrocytes count (TEC), alanine aminotrans- ferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and blood glucose were determined. Both treatments resulted in complete analgesia of the tail, perineum, and the upper parts of the hind limbs. The onset of analgesia was faster, but not significant in LN group compared with LA group. The duration of epidural analgesia was significantly longer in LN group than in the LA group. Both treatments produced mild or moderate motor block. There was no significant alteration in HR, RR, and RT in both treatments. The haematological parameters decreased in all the groups. The biochemical parameters like ALT, ALP, BUN and glucose increased in all the animals. All haemato-biochemical parameters return to baseline levels at 24h. No adverse effects were observed in any of the buffaloe calves. In conclusion, the combination of LN produced analgesia of longer duration than LA. This combination would appear to be recommended for single-dose epidural administration in buffalo calves undergoing long surgical procedures in the perineal region.