Best Anesthesia for Hoof Surgery in Cattle: A Clinical Comparison
Table of Contents
Introduction
Hoof and claw ailments in cattle are not just a source of pain and distress; they represent a significant economic and welfare issue for farmers and veterinarians. Effective surgical treatment relies on providing excellent, reliable anesthesia.
While Intravenous Regional Anesthesia (IVRA) is a well-established method, which specific technique and drug combination offers the best outcome? This critical question is at the heart of much veterinary research. This article presents the definitive summary and conclusions from a clinical study that compared different approaches to anesthesia for hoof surgery in cattle, providing evidence-based recommendations for students and practitioners.
An Original Excerpt on the Best Anesthesia for Hoof Surgery in Cattle
(The following is an excerpt adapted from a thesis for clarity and online readability. The full citation is provided below.)
Summary of Findings on Anesthesia for Hoof Surgery in Cattle
The present study was conducted on the bovine having different surgical ailments of hoof/digit. The study aimed to compare the efficacy of different protocols for anesthesia for hoof surgery in cattle. The bovines were divided into four groups of six animals/limbs each.
- Group I & II (Upper IVRA): For upper IVRA, a tourniquet was placed in the middle of the metatarsus/metacarpus. The anesthetic included lignocaine @ 4 mg/kg b.wt. (group I) and lignocaine @ 4 mg/kg b.wt. + ketamine @ 3.0 mg/kg b.wt. (group II).
- Group III & IV (Lower IVRA): For lower IVRA, the elastic tourniquet was applied just below the pastern joint and distal to the dew claws. The drugs used included lignocaine @ 2 mg/kg b.wt. (group III) and lignocaine @ 2 mg/kg b.wt. + ketamine @ 1.5 mg/kg b.wt. (group IV).
Anesthesia was administered, and the anesthetic potency was monitored by observing various parameters.
Key Clinical Observations
There was no significant change in respiration rate in all four groups. Systolic pressure significantly increased at 15 and 20 minutes in group I animals. There was no significant change in systolic pressure in group III and IV. There was no significant change in diastolic pressure in all four groups at different time intervals. Furthermore, there was no significant change in rectal temperature in all four groups at different time intervals.
- Sensory Block Onset Time: The onset was earliest in group IV (3.33±0.33 minutes) followed by group II (3.50±0.22 minutes), then group I (4.66±0.33 minutes), and finally group III (5.00±0.36 minutes).
- Sensory Block Recovery Time: Recovery time was longest in group II (65.00±1.96 minutes) followed by group IV (64.20±1.05) minutes, then group I (62.66±1.97) minutes, and then in group III (60.83±2.41) minutes.
- Motor Block Onset Time: Onset was earliest in group II (4.50±0.22) minutes and group IV (4.50±0.42) minutes, then followed by group I (5.66±0.33) minutes, and then group III (6.00±0.25) minutes.
- Motor Block Recovery Time: Recovery time was longest in group IV (69.16±0.98) minutes followed by group II (68.16±1.19) minutes, then group I (62.00±2.08) minutes, and then group III (60.66±2.38) minutes.
Release of the tourniquet after the administration of lignocaine HCl alone and its combination with ketamine showed no severe sign of cardiovascular or CNS toxicity. However, the animals in which upper IVRA was induced by the combination of lignocaine and ketamine (group II) were in prostration for 5-6 minutes.
A slight increase in heart rate (tachycardia) was also observed in group II animals. Slight stumbling was noted in group II animals just after recovery. Animals of groups I, III and IV did not show any sign of toxicity.
Final Conclusions on Anesthesia for Hoof Surgery in Cattle
On the basis of the present study, the following conclusions were drawn regarding the best anesthesia for hoof surgery in cattle:
- The Lower IVRA technique with half doses of anesthetics as compared to upper IVRA was found suitable for hoof examination and surgery.
- The efficacy of IVRA was highest in group IV, followed by group II, I, and III. The Lower IVRA technique using lignocaine in combination with ketamine (group IV) was safe as compared to lignocaine alone. The combination of ketamine and lignocaine for IVRA improved the quality of anesthesia without inducing significant clinical side effects and reduces the dose of lidocaine and ketamine, hence reducing its potential toxicity.
Recommendations for Clinical Practice
Though both upper and lower IVRA techniques using lignocaine alone and its combination with ketamine were found suitable, the lower IVRA technique using a combination of lignocaine and ketamine was found best and can be used for hoof/claw examination and surgery in bovines without any side effect and toxicity.
Conclusion
In the quest for the optimal anesthesia for hoof surgery in cattle, this research provides a clear and decisive answer. The evidence demonstrates that a lower IVRA technique—which is less invasive and requires a smaller drug dosage—is highly effective. More importantly, the combination of lignocaine with ketamine as an adjunct significantly improves the quality of anesthesia, providing a rapid onset and prolonged recovery without notable toxicity.
These findings strongly support the use of a lower anesthesia for hoof surgery in cattle with a lignocaine-ketamine cocktail as the superior choice for safe, efficient, and humane veterinary care.
Source Citation:
- Researcher: Dr. Vipin Kumar Yadav
- Thesis Title: Comparative Studies on Upper versus Lower Intravenous Regional Anesthesia (IVRA) Using Lignocaine and Its Combination with Ketamine in Bovines
- Guide: Dr. A. K. Gangwar
- University: Narendra Dev University of Agriculture and Technology, Kumarganj, Faizabad (U.P.)-India
- Completion Date: 2018
- Excerpted From: Pages 73-76
Disclaimer:
Disclaimer: Some sentences have been lightly edited for SEO and readability. For the complete and original research, please refer to the full thesis PDF above.
Do these findings align with your clinical experience or academic studies? Share your thoughts on using combination anesthesia for hoof surgery in cattle in the comments section below. Be sure to share this post with your peers to spread this valuable knowledge
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