Umbilical hernias in calves occur with relative frequency. Most abdominal surgeries can be performed in cattle using standing sedation and local blocks.
Romifidine is widely used in calves, alone or in combination with
opioids.
Tramadol administered as an intravenous slow injection provided better
analgesia than an IV bolus in cows. The aim of the present study was to compare the response to surgical stimulus, and
sedative effects of
tramadol administered intravenously either as a bolus or a slow injection in romifidinesedated calves. Twenty Frisian calves undergoing
umbilical hernia repair received
romifidine (0.08 mg/kg IM; time 0) followed by
tramadol (1 mg/kg IV) 5 min later either as a bolus (n = 10, B group) or a slow injection over 10 min (n = 10, SI group). Surgical area was infiltrated with
lidocaine (4 mg/kg). Heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), systolic, dyastolic and mean arterial pressure (SAP, DAP, MAP), sedation scores and response to surgical stimulus were recorded for up to 55 min. After the calves recovered a standing position,
postoperative pain scores were assessed for up to 50 min. Sedation scores were significantly higher in the SI group than in the B group at 55 min (p < 0.05). HR, RR, SAP and response to surgical stimulus were significantly higher in the B group than in the SI group (p < 0.05). No significant differences were recorded in
postoperative pain scores between groups (p > 0.05).
Romifidine IM followed by intravenous
tramadol, as a bolus or slow injection and local infiltration with
lidocaine provided adequate sedation and
analgesia in calves undergoing
umbilical hernia repair.