Effects of tramadol on electrocardiogram, mean electrical axis and respiration in Kagani goats (Capra hircus)

The effects of tramadol on electrocardiogram (ECG), mean electrical axis and respiratory rates were studied in adult kagani goats after intramuscular administration of tramadol at 1 mg/kg b.wt. as a prelude to its clinical use as an analgesic in veterinary practice. The ECG was monitored by standard bipolar leads and discernible electrocardiographic features were observed in lead II. The normal electrocardiographic parameters in healthy goats were; P-wave (0.04 &plusmn; 0.005 mV, 48 &plusmn; 4.29 ms), QRS complex (0.38 &plusmn; 0.037 mV, 84 &plusmn; 2.86 ms), T-wave (0.11 &plusmn; 0.005 mV, 76 &plusmn; 1.28 ms), PR, ST, QT intervals were 152 &plusmn; 5.72, 280 &plusmn; 7.29, 368 &plusmn; 18.60 ms, respectively. These parameters were not significantly different in goats up to 3h post treatment. Except significant reduction in T-wave amplitude (p<0.05) at 0.5h, no other significant change was observed. Reduction in T-wave indicates early re-polarization phenomenon and is indicative of some transient cardio-acceleratory effect of the drug. The mean electrical axis (56.74 0 &plusmn; 0.6 0 ) before treatment didn&rsquo;t show significant differences up to 3h of post-treatment. The rate of respiration prior to treatment was observed 19.6 &plusmn; 2.57min -1 and administration of tramadol didn&rsquo;t produce any significant change on respiration up to 3h post treatment.