THE EFFECTS OF XYLAZINE SEDATION ON SOME HAEMATOLOGICAL PARAMETERS OF THE WEST AFRICAN DWARF GOAT

Abstract

Changes in selected haematological parameters as a result of xylazine sedation were
studied in 6 West African Dwarf goats for 48 hours. There were significant reductions (P <
0.05) in the values of the packed cell volume (PCV), haemoglobin concentration (Hb) and
red blood cell count (RBC) from their pre-sedation levels. On the other hand the white
blood cell count (WBC) showed a significant increase in value (P < 0.05) as did also the
mean corpuscuIar hae-moglobin (MCH) and the .mean corpuscular volume (MCV).
Remaining statistically unchanged was the mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration
(MCHC).
These findings are discussed with particular reference to their implications in possible
surgical manoeuvre3 in the West African Dwarf goat that may necessitate sedation with
xylazine.