Authors : J.S .Neils , A. Zhassan , A.K.B. Sackey and J.B. Adeyanju
Abstract: The effect of Ketamine hydrochloride which is a drug mainly used in birds and cats but was tried on Nigerian dogs. Nine local dogs were administered low (11 mg kg-1) and high (33 mg kg-1) doses of Ketamine hydrochloride parenterally (intramuscularly and subcutaneously). Anaesthetic induction period varied from 2 min for Subcutaneous (SQ) and 1 min for intramuscular routes. Duration of anaesthesia ranged from 32.5 to 265 min for low and high dosages respectively. Clinically, ptyalism was observed in all dogs but was minimal in those that pre-medication (atropine sulphate) was given. It was also observed that forelimbs of animals in group B were spastic. Pharyngeal, pedal, spinal and blink reflexes were lost. Defecation was observed immediately after administration of the drug and there was emesis during recovery. Slight decrease in average rectal temperature of 0.2�C was observed. The dogs tolerated the drug (11 and 33 mg kg-1) to a certain extent and no significant complication was associated with the local dogs; therefore, ketamine hydrochloride could be employed for restraint of uncooperative dogs for minor surgical procedures not requiring muscle relaxation.
J.S .Neils , A. Zhassan , A.K.B. Sackey and J.B. Adeyanju , 2007. Clinical Observations of Local Dogs Under Anaesthetic Effect of Ketamine Hydrochloride. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 6: 42-45.