An anaesthetic protocol was evaluated in 6 dogs (2 Female, 4 Male) of different breeds presented for different conditions requiring diagnostic MRI. The anaesthetic efficacy as well as physiological and haemato-biochemical alterations following tiletamine-zolazepam (TZ) combination as induction agent with xylazine premedication were assessed to assure an appropriate depth and length of anaesthesia, a regular breathing pattern, and a stable haemodynamic condition without the usage of expensive equipment for anaesthetic maintenance. Patients were premedicated with atropine @ 0.04 mg/kg, and xylazine @ 1 mg/kg, b. wt., intramuscularly. Induction of anaesthesia was achieved by tiletamine-zolazepam @ 8 mg/kg b. wt., intravenously. A quick induction was observed in all the patients, i.e. within few minutes. An after-effect of TZ induction was transient post-induction apnoea observed in all patients (nearly 30 seconds). The results suggest that these drug combinations provides up to approximately two hours of anaesthesia with stable physiological parameters and an acceptable level of analgesia while maintaining normal respiration. The changes in SpO2 and rectal temperature during maintenance remained within biologically acceptable limits. Haemoglobin, PCV, total protein, TLC, TEC, ALT, AST, creatinine, and BUN were all non-significantly different before and after recovery, with the exception of glucose level, which was significantly higher even after recovery. The anaesthetic duration, standing time and complete recovery time were longer. The study confirms induction and maintenance of balanced anaesthesia using atropine, xylazine, tiletamine-zolazepam combinations with efficient nociception during MRI procedures.
