Residual Potential of Dexamethasone and its Effect on Goat Milk

The aim of this study was to analyse the effect of intramuscular administration of dexamethasone (DXM) on clinical, residual and milk composition parameters in goat. For this, 0.5 mg/kg BW dose of DXM was administered once daily for 3 consecutive days. Milk samples were collected before and after drug administration at 2, 8, 16, 32, 48, 72, 96, 120, 144, 168 h. Pulse rate and respiratory rate were increased (P ˂ 0.05) in at 2, 8, 16, 32, 48 and 72 and 96 h While, the rectal temperature was increased (P < 0.05) only at 02 h post drug administration. The highest residual level of DXM was noticed at 32 h (2.70 ng/mL) and lowest at 168 h (0.25 ng/mL) in milk. Milk Fat increased (P ˂ 0.01) at 32, 48 and 72 h and (P < 0.05) at 2, 8, 16, 96,120 h and then gradually returned to pre-treatment value at 144 h. The mean milk protein level was increased (P ˂ 0.01) at 8, 16, 32, 48, 72 and 120 h and (P < 0.05) at 2 and 96 h. Milk Solid Not Fat level was increased (P < 0.05) at 16, 32, 48, 72 and 96 h, however, at 120 h this increase was (P < 0.01). Milk yield decreased (P ˃ 0.05) from 2 – 16 h as compared to control then, decreased (P < 0.05) at 32, 48, 72, 96, 120, 144 h post DXM administration. It has been concluded that the therapeutic dose of DXM 0.5 mg/kg BW once daily for 3 consecutive days produced significant effects on clinical, residual level and milk composition parameters in goat. © 2022 Friends Science Publishers