Effects of xylazine-ketamine anesthesia with atropine premedication on hematological parameters in puppies

Background: General anesthesia can alter hematological parameters, influencing clinical interpretation of laboratory results. Understanding these effects in pediatric animals is crucial for safe anesthetic management. Methods: Nine clinically healthy local-breed puppies, approximately 4 weeks old, were administered atropine (0.05 mg/kg, IV), followed by xylazine (1 mg/kg, IV) and ketamine (10 mg/kg, IV). Blood samples were collected before anesthesia, during anesthesia, and after recovery. Hematological parameters (WBC, Lym%, Gran%, Mid%, RBC, HGB, HCT, MCV, MCH, MCHC, RDW, PLT, MPV, PDW, PCT, P-LCR, and P-LCC) were analyzed using a Dymind Automated Hematology Analyzer. Data were expressed as mean ± SD. Statistical analysis was performed using repeated measures ANOVA, with p-values < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: Statistically significant decreases were observed in RBC (p = 0.0037), HGB (p = 0.0109), HCT (p = 0.0063), MCH (p = 0.0251), RDW-SD (p = 0.0135), and platelet count (p = 0.0072) during anesthesia, followed by partial recovery post-anesthesia. Other parameters, including WBC, lymphocyte percentage, granulocyte percentage, MCV, MCHC, MPV, and RDW-CV, showed no significant variation. The puppies showed induction average 1.49 minutes, duration average 34 minutes, and recovery 76.66 minutes with suitable depth and muscle relaxation. Conclusion: Xylazine-ketamine anesthesia with atropine premedication induces transient but significant hematological alterations, mainly affecting red blood cell indices and platelet counts in puppies. These findings are important for interpreting hematological results during the perioperative period in pediatric canine patients. The given combination of anesthetics produces suitable anesthesia for major surgery.