Studies on Ketamine Anesthesia in Dogs —“Micro-Mini” Drip Administration Technique—

Twelve healthy beagles were given ketamine by the “Micro-Mini” drip administration technique and subjected to the general clinical examination and hematological tests. For the purpose of premedication before dripping ketamine they had been divided into four groups, which were premedicated with diazepam (Dz), droperidol (Dro), propyonylpromazine (Prop), and xylazine (Xyl), respectively. As a result, the following conclusions were drawn.(1) The analgesic and anesthetic effects were satisfactory in the Prop and the Xyl groups, but were insufficient in the Dz and the Dro groups.(2) Transient laryngospasm and respiratory obstruction were noticed immediately after the beginning of dripping ketamine and disappeard in several minutes, without any pharmacotherapy.(3) Ketamine was examined for toxicity by the hematological test, which revealed no noteworthy changes at all.(4) The dripping technique of ketamine was examined with regard to the total amount of transfusion administered, and the maintenance of and awakening and recovery from anesthesia. In consequence, it was clarified that these items of examination had been influenced remarkably with such types of drugs used for premedication as analgesics, sedatives, and anesthetics, and that full consideration should be given to the selection of a drug for premeditation.From the results mentioned above it was indicated that the “Micro-Mini” drip administration technique of ketamine was influenced greatly with the type of drugs used for premeditation in the maintenance of anesthesia. If ketamine is used for anesthesia, taking this indication into consideration, it will be possible for ketamine to induce anesthesia which is safe from a clinical point of view, since ketamine was proved hematologically to be free from adverse effects.