Clinical and Hemato-biochemical Evaluation of Fentanyl, Midazolam, and Propofol in Boer Goats

This study investigated and compared the impact of Fentanyl, Midazolam, Propofol, and their combinations on clinical, biochemical, and hematological parameters in Boer goats.Twenty-four apparently healthy goats (weighing 15-20 kg and aged between 2 and 2.5 years) were randomly divided into six groups; each of them was given one of the following intravenous anesthetic protocols: Fentanyl (Group-F, 2.5 µg/kg), Midazolam (Group-M, 0.3 mg/kg), Propofol (Group-P, 6 mg/kg), or a combination of Propofol-Fentanyl (Group-PF), Midazolam-Fentanyl (Group-MF), and Midazolam-Propofol (Group-MP).Clinical evaluations, including heart rate, respiratory rate, rectal temperature, and reflexes (righting, palpebral, and pedal reflex) responses, were recorded before and at 5-minute intervals up to 30 minutes after drug administration.Blood samples were collected before anesthesia and 30 minutes post-induction to assess serum biochemical markers (ALT, AST, creatinine, urea, total protein, albumin, and globulin) and hematological indices (PCV, TEC, TLC, and Hb).Heart rate and rectal temperature significantly increased (P < 0.05) across all groups, while respiratory rate remained consistent.The Midazolam-Propofol group (MP) exhibited the longest duration of anesthesia (24.00±2.08 min) with complete loss of reflexes.Significant biochemical changes included increased ALT in Group M and elevated AST and albumin in Group PF.Creatinine concentrations were substantially reduced in Groups M and MP, whereas urea levels were significantly elevated in Group MP.Among the hematological parameters, hemoglobin levels were markedly higher in Group P, whereas Group M demonstrated a decreased total leukocyte count.Among all protocols, the Midazolam-Propofol combination provided the most effective and balanced anesthetic protocol for Boer goats, with stable physiological responses and manageable alterations in blood chemistry and cell counts.