Effect of Oral Preanesthesic Sedation with Chlordiazepoxide and Haloperidol Before Anesthesia For Adult Male Bonnet Macaques (Macaca radiata)

Minimizing stress during the capture of wild animals is crucial for reducing morbidity and mortality. Oral premedicants have the potential to reduce stress during handling and ease the subsequent administration of anaesthetic drugs. The efficacy of premedication with chlordiazepoxide or haloperidol independently prior to midazolam-ketamine anaesthesia was evaluated in 12 male Bonnet Macaques. Animals were randomly divided into two groups of six animals each (n=6). Animals in Group I were administered chlordiazepoxide (10mg/kg) and animals in Group II were administered haloperidol (1mg/kg) orally, respectively. Temperament of each animal was recorded prior to premedication. Behavioural responses after pre-medication were assessed for 4 hours. Glucose and cortisol levels were assessed in venous blood samples collected after the induction of anaesthesia. Sedation was achieved in both groups of animals whereas the quality of sedation was comparatively better in Group II. Haloperidol-premedicated animals were easy to handle, but increased cortisol and glucose levels were recorded. Pre-medication with chlordiazepoxide and haloperidol produced optimum sedation to handle the Bonnet Macaques for inducing anaesthesia.