Effects of Chloramphenicol on Ketamine Anaesthesia in Rabbits

Abstract

The effect of chloramphenicol on ketamine anaesthesia was investigated in rabbits. In a 3-phased study, the rabbits were administered intramuscularly with 50 mg/kg body weight (bw) of ketamine alone, same dose of ketamine 30 minutes after intramuscular administration of a single dose of chloramphenicol (30 mg/kg bw) or same dose of ketamine 30 minutes after intramuscular administration of multiple dose (7 consecutive daily doses) of chloramphenicol (30 mg/kg bw). There was a significant decrease in the rabbits body temperature when ketamine was administered alone (p<0.05) but a significant increase in temperature was recorded when ketamine was combined with chloramphenicol (p<0.05). Significant decrease in respiratory rate was recorded for all the three treatments; however, the combination of ketamine and chloramphenicol produced.a higher decrease in respiratory rate than when ketamine was used alone. The combination of ketamine and chloramphenicol produced a significant higher heart rate than when ketamine was used alone (when compared to control) (p<0.05). The duration of ketamine anaesthesia was increased in rabbits administered single dose of chloramphenicol, while it was decreased in rabbits administered multiple dose of chloramphenicol. This study showed that chloramphenicol altered the temperature, respiratory and heart rates as well as onset and duration of anaesthesia, when used prior to ketamine anaesthesia in rabbits.

Key words: Chloramphenicol, ketamine, anaesthesia, microsomal, haemodynamics, induction