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.
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Department of Comparative Medicine, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA. andrew_winterborn@urmc.rochester.edu
Andrew N
AN
Winterborn
Wendy A
WA
Bates
Changyong
C
Feng
Jeffrey D
JD
Wyatt
D000778:Anesthetics, Dissociative / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D004333:Drug Administration Routes; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D007649:Ketamine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D008297:Male; D020926:Medetomidine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012119:Respiration / Q000187:drug effects; D012149:Restraint, Physical / Q000662:veterinary; D013312:Stress, Physiological / Q000097:blood*; D013997:Time Factors
D000778:Anesthetics, Dissociative; D015415:Biomarkers; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D007649:Ketamine; D020926:Medetomidine