Effects of ketamine-diazepam and ketamine-acepromazine combinations on intraocular pressure in rabbits

To determine the effects of ketamine-diazepam and ketamine-acepromazine combinations on intraocular pressure (IOP) in rabbits.

Randomized clinical trial.

Sixteen adult New Zealand white rabbits approximately one year old, weighing 2.3 +/- 0.2 kg were used in this study.

The animals were randomly divided into two groups of eight each (KA and KD). The pre-treatment IOPs were recorded in both groups (T0). All rabbits in group KA received intramuscular ketamine-acepromazine (ketamine 30 mg kg(-1) + acepromazine 0.5 mg kg(-1)). Ketamine-diazepam (ketamine 30 mg kg(-1) + diazepam 1 mg kg(-1)) was administered intramuscularly in members of group KD. The IOP values were measured at 5 (T(5)), 15 (T(15)), and 20 (T(20)) minutes after drug administration in both treatment groups.

Significant increases in IOP values were observed in both treatment groups at T(5,) T(15), and T(20) in comparison to the baseline values. In group KA the mean +/- SD IOP at T(5,) T(15), and T(20) were 37 +/- 13 (p < 0.001), 35 +/- 4 (p < 0.001) and 34 +/- 4 mmHg (p < 0.001). The post-treatment mean +/- sd values in group KD were 23 +/- 8 (p = 0.002), 23 +/- 5 (p < 0.001) and 23 +/- 6 mmHg (p = 0.001) at 5, 15, and 20 minutes respectively.

Both ketamine-diazepam and ketamine-acepromazine combinations increased IOP after intramuscular administration in rabbits.