Comparative evaluation of xylazine, detomidine, and medetomidine on cardiovascular biomarkers in dromedary camels

This study was performed to comparatively evaluate cardiovascular effects of xylazine, detomidine, and medetomidine after intravenous (IV) administration in dromedary camels. Ten clinically and paraclinically healthy immature male dromedary camels aged 24 ± 2 months and weighing 200 ± 20 kg were used in this study. Camels were sedated with each of three treatments in a randomized, crossover design, with a minimum washout period of 8 days between treatments. Treatments were xylazine (0.4 mg kg⁻¹), detomidine (50 μg kg⁻¹), and medetomidine (20 μg kg⁻¹). Camels in the control treatment were assigned to receive normal saline. Cardiovascular biomarkers were measured at baseline (T0), 2 h (T2), and 24 h (T24) after commencing the trial. Serum concentration of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) increased from baseline in detomidine treatment at 24 h after drug administration (P < 0.05). Moreover, serum value of homocysteine (Hcy) increased from baseline in detomidine and medetomidine treatment at 24 h after drug administration (P < 0.05). Serum concentrations of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase isoenzyme MB (CK-MB) were unchanged in any treatment over 24 h. These results suggest that detomidine and medetomidine use in dromedary camels should be administered with caution, especially in camels with cardiovascular diseases.