Oscillatory measurements, blood gas analysis and clinical observations after intravenous clenbuterol administration in healthy and acutely pneumonic calves.

The effects of clenbuterol (Ventipulmin, Boehringer Ingelheim) on respiratory functions were investigated in 6 calves aged 4-6 weeks prior to and after experimental infection with Pasteurella haemolytica A1. On days 1-3 (prior to infection) and on days 7-9 (after infection), blood gas analysis, monofrequency forced oscillation techniques and clinical examinations (heart rate, respiratory rate) were conducted for 135 min after the intravenous administration of clenbuterol (0.8 microgram/kg body weight). In healthy calves prior to Pasteurella infection, intravenous administration of clenbuterol induced a mild tachycardia and a reduction in the mean oscillatory respiratory resistance. Using the same dose of clenbuterol in diseased calves after infection, the statistically significant reduction in oscillatory respiratory resistance was more impressive and it was accompanied by a significant increase in the oxygen pressure of the arterialized blood. Heart rate and respiratory rate did not change significantly after the administration of clenbuterol in infected calves.