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The efficacy of orally dosed ketamine and ketamine/medetomidine compared with intramuscular ketamine in rhesus macaques ( Macaca mulatta ) and the effects of dosing route on haematological stress markers
Author(s) -
Winterborn Andrew N,
Bates Wendy A,
Feng Changyong,
Wyatt Jeffrey D
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of medical primatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.31
H-Index - 42
eISSN - 1600-0684
pISSN - 0047-2565
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0684.2007.00234.x
Subject(s) - ketamine , medetomidine , dosing , sedation , medicine , anesthesia , dose , volunteer , intramuscular injection , pharmacology , pharmacodynamics , pharmacokinetics , biology , blood pressure , heart rate , agronomy
Background This study compared the efficacy of two orally‐dosed (PO) anaesthetic regimens for chemical immobilization in rhesus macaques ( Macaca mulatta ), versus the standard protocol of intramuscular (TM) ketamine. In addition, the effects of dosing route on haematological stress markers were evaluated. Methods Testing was conducted on 18 chronically housed animals. Animals were trained to accept oral dosing and then randomly assigned to one of three drug regimens: (1) ketamine IM, (2) ketamine PO, (3) Ketamine/medetomidine PO. Sedation levels for each regimen were evaluated. Results Oral dosing alone was not sufficient to achieve a plane of sedation that allowed for safe handling. Serum cortisol and glucose levels were unchanged across groups, although differences were observed in the leukogram profiles. Conclusion The oral dosages used in this study fell short in providing adequate sedation for safe handling for routine veterinary procedures. Leukogram profiles indicated that orally dosed animals experienced a higher level of stress.