Effects of ketamine hydrochloride on the hemogram of rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta).

Ketamine hydrochloride administration altered the hemogram of rhesus monkeys when compared to physical restraint for venipuncture. The alterations were decreases in the leukocyte count, total plasma proteins, and hematocrit. The decrease in the leukocyte count was due primarily to a decrease in lymphocytes with a smaller decrease in neutrophils.