This study sought to determine the actual dose of ketamine hydrochloride to be used to achieve surgical plane of anaesthesia in hissing sand snake (Psammophis sibilans). Ketamine hydrochloride was administered intravenously to the snakes at different doses based on their body weight, and some physiological parameters were monitored. Twelve snakes divided into four groups A, B, C and D were administered ketamine hydrochloride intravenously at 60 mg/kg, 46 mg/kg, 40 mg/kg, and 30 mg/kg respectively. With 40 mg/kg, a good plane of surgical anaesthesia was achieved in this species of snakes. The dose was able to achieve both anaesthesia and analgesia. Other dose recommended for anaesthesia was 30 mg/kg. It is concluded that dose higher than 46 mg/kg may cause the death of the animal. These result shows that ketamine hydrochloride is generally effective at 40 mg/kg in the Psammophis sibilans, with no wide individual variation in the time to onset (3.5±0.7 mins), duration of anaesthesia (23.5±9.19 mins), and time to recovery (36.5±25.1 mins).
Key words: Ketamine hydrochloride, Psammophis sibilans, righting reflex, anaesthesia.
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