Evaluation of ketamine/xylazine anesthesia in the guinea pig: toxicological parameters.

The characteristics of ketamine/xylazine combinations were evaluated in guinea pigs. Particular attention was focused on the establishment of an LD50 and the development of a dose-response curve. Basic serum parameters (BUN, serum creatinine, and SGPT) were monitored for 5 days post-anesthesia. A large safety margin was indicated by an LD50 range of 361-373 mg/kg ketamine. The dose-response curve was linear between 40 and 120 mg/kg ketamine with constant 10 mg/kg xylazine. Although serum parameters were elevated 5 days postanesthesia they remained within normal limits for laboratory rodents.