cardiopulmonary and analgesic effects of chloral hydrate alone and in combination with Mg sulfate, chlorpromazine or doxapram were studied in six healthy goats (weighing28.7±3.5Kg) at an intervals of 8 days: Group 1, chloral hydrate 5% (IV, to effect); Group 2, chloral hydrate 5% (IV, to effect); Group 3, chlorpromazine (2 mg/kg) followed by chloral hydrate 5% (IV, to
effect); Group 4, chloral hydrate 5% (IV) followed by doxapram (2 mg/kg, IV) 15 minutes later. Chloral hydrate induced deep sedation and recumbency at a dosage of 92..98±2.91 mg/kg. There was a significant reduction in the dosage of chloral hydrate in group 2 and resulted in asignificant decrease in arterial blood pressure. Doxapram significantly reduced the duration of recumbency compared to group 1 (37. 4±9.21 vs. 73.1± 10.2 min). Arterial blood pressure significantly increased following administration of doxapram. Premature ventricular contraction (PVC) was observed in one animal. Muscle relaxation was not complete and analgesia was assessed as poor in all groups. Induction of general anesthesia withh chloral hydrate was not successful and one animal died due to drug overdosage. The results of this study showed that chloral hydrate (alone or in combination) can provide deep sedation and adequate musde relaxation in goats but its analgesic effect is poor. Doxappram can be usedd to reverse chloral hydrate sedation in the goat.
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