Hematobiochemical and clinical signs changes due to administration of different doses of xylazine in dogs

Objectives: Hematological comparison of three different dose of xylazine as a most available profound chemical restraint agent for stray dogs.Materials Methods: Fifteen clinically healthy mixed mature dogs allocated randomly in 3 equal groups received 3 different doses of xylazine HCL: 0.5 (group A), 1 (group B) and 3 (group C) mg/kg intramuscularly. The measured data at different times [before any drug injection, at maximum clinically sedation level (TS) and at complete recovery (TR)] statistically compared among all groups and with control group (group D) that received normal saline. Results conclusion: Despite of noticeable differences in clinical signs and duration of sedation in group C than other groups, clinical side effects such as vomiting recorded in the animals of high dose group. In fact, extent of sedation was more marked at higher doses. Decrease in creatinine level at TS and TR was observed in group C compared to other groups. But, no significant differences were recorded in BUN. At TS and TR, highest fall decrease of alkaline phosphatase concentration was observed in group C. ALT values significantly declined in animals of group B and C at TS and TR. At recovery time, value of uric acid increased significantly in group C. Hemoglobin showed significant differences levels in group C than others. There was no significant differences in values of white blood count, differential leucocytes count in sedated dogs and control group in relation to time. According to clinical signs and measured hematobiochemical values, administration of xylazine in 1 mg/kg dose could be recommended as a safe available chemical restraint in mongrel dogs,