The efficacy of intranasal administration of dexmedetomidine, ketamine and morphine combination to rabbit

The sedative effects of intranasal dexmedetomidine, ketamine and morphinecombination were evaluated in rabbits. A combination of 0.1 mg/kg dexmedetomidine, ketamine 20 mg/kg and 0.4 mg/kg morphine was administered by inserting a lubricated catheter in intranasal. The sedation score was classified as ‘deep’ from 2 to 20 minutes, ‘moderate’ from 20 to 30 minutes, the sedation level was insufficient from 30 to 45 minutes. The rabbits were all awake at 60 minutes. The analgesic score stayed highest (absence of Pedal withdrawal reflex) from 2 to 20 minutes. Heart rate and rectal temparature did not change significantly from baseline at any time. Respiratory frequency decreased significantly (P<0.05) from baseline. Also SpO2 progressively dropped 1015 minutes when O2 supplementation was started, increasing significantly. PaCO2 enhanced significantly (P<0.05) at 15, mins and PaO2 lessening significantly (P<0.05) at 15, mins compared with baseline value. The intranasal dexmedetomidine-ketamine–morphine combinations has been successfully used for deep sedation for 20 minutes in rabbits.