Serum Cortisol and Glucose Indices Following Rumenotomy in West African Dwarf Goats Premedicated with Xylazine or Diazepam and Inducted with Propofol

Purpose: Anaesthesia was induced in West African Dwarf (WAD) goats using Propofol and a combination of different sedatives, propofol (P), xylazine (X), Propofol (P), and Diazepam (D) and control Propofol (P) and the effects of rumenotomy on cortisol and glucose of West African dwarf goats were determined. Methodology: Twelve (WAD) goats were randomly assigned to three treatment groups tagged A, B, and C. Rumenotomy was carried out on these animals, premedicated with Xylazine or Diazepam and anaesthetized with Propofol, and data was presented in charts and as (Mean ± SEM). Findings: Cortisol concentration showed no statistical (P > 0.05) difference in group C pre-surgery (14.55 ± 1.34 mg/dL) and up to 96 hours post-rumenotomy (13.45 ± 0.68 mg/dL). In groups A and B, cortisol concentration significantly (P < 0.05) increased from pre-surgical value (14.40 ± 1.27; 13.68 ± 1.22 mg/dL) reaching a peak at 24 hours post-rumenotomy (68.85 ± 3.41; 46.63 ± 5.86mg/dL) followed by a significant (P < 0.05) decrease at 96 hours post-rumenotomy (33.46 ± 3.58; 13.80 ± 2.65 mg/dL), but these were statistically (P < 0.05) higher in group A compared to group B. The glucose concentration was statistically (P < 0.05) increased in group A (72.50 ± 3.30; 75.25 ± 5.02 g/dL) compared to groups B (65.50 ± 4.50; 65.50 ± 1.71 g/dL) and C (55.50 ± 2.87; 62.25 ± 8.84 g/dL) at intra-surgery and immediate post-surgery. From 24 and up to 96 hours post-rumenotomy, no statistical difference existed for the glucose concentration in all groups of goats. Conclusion: The Cortisol and glucose indices increased across the groups which showed that the animals experienced stress during the procedure. Recommendations: The Cortisol and Glucose indices following rumenotomy showed that the Diazepam-Propofol combination (group B) is preferred because it caused less stress and gave a good plane of anaesthesia in West African Dwarf goats.