The influence of anaesthetics on the haematology of the patas monkey, Erythrocebus patas.

The effects of phencyclidine, ketamine and an alphaxalone-alphadolone mixture on the haematology of the patas monkeys have been compared. In animals sedated with phencyclidine or ketamine the only significant difference detected was in the mean cell volume. Statistically significant differences in white-cell count and blood coagulation and fibrinolytic activity were found in monkeys which had received alphaxalone-alphadolone. It is suggested that ketamine is a suitable alternative to phencyclidine for haematological studies in these monkeys.