Some neurobehavioral effects of ketamine in chicks

Kh Al-Baggou, B; A M Faris, G; K Mohammad, F

doi:10.33899/ijvs.2005.37328

	Some neurobehavioral effects of ketamine in chicks
Iraqi Journal of Veterinary Sciences
Article 1, Volume 19, Issue 1, 2005, Pages 13-19 PDF (0 K)
DOI: 10.33899/ijvs.2005.37328
Authors
B Kh Al-Baggou; G A M Faris; F K Mohammad
Abstract
The neurobehavioral effects of ketamine 0.5 and 1 ml/kg subcutaneously were examined in 14 days-old domestic chicks using the open-field (5 minutes) and tonic immobility tests. Ketamine decreased locomotor activity as seen by a significant increase in the latency to move from the central square of the open-field arena and a decrease in the numbers of lines crossed (0.5 mg/kg, 30 and 60 minutes post injection) in comparison with control values. Ketamine also decreased vocalization behavior. The depressed open-field activity was further supported by significant increases in the durations of tonic immobility of the ketamine-treated chichs in comparison with the control group. Xylazine challenge at 5 mg/kg, subcutaneously, two hours after the ketamine injections signifantly increased the duration of sleep in both ketamine-treated groups by 59% and 100%, respectively in comparison with the control group. The data suggested that ketamine at subanesthetic doses reduses open-field activity in chicks, increases tonic immobility and increases the sedative action of xylazine.

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