Effects of Dexamethasone on Body Weights and Some Physiological Parameters in different Sexes of Chinchilla Rabbits (Oryctalagus Lanigere)

Rabbits are fast producing and fast-growing animals. In ancient times, they were mainly bred for household meat consumption. Nowadays, they are rare not only for household meat consumption, but also for commercial and research purposes. One of the commonly used and cost-effective drugs that are employed to effectively treat inflammatory disease conditions in rabbits is dexamethasone. There are conflicting reports on the effects of dexamethasone on bodyweight and vital parameters in different species of animals. However, influence of dexamethasone on rabbits with regard to these parameters have not been investigated. Twenty adult chinchilla rabbits comprising 10 does and 10 buck were used for this study. After acclimatization, the animals were randomly separated into 4 groups of 5 each. Accordingly, the groups were as follows: Dexamethasone treated males, non-dexamethasone treated male, Dexamethasone treated females, and non-dexamethasone treated females. Dexamethasone injection was given at 0.25 mg/kg body weight. Body weights, rectal temperatures, respiratory and pulse rates were measured daily in each animal at resting state using standard methods. There was no significant (p>0.05) difference in rectal temperatures between the untreated and dexamethasone treated groups in either of the sexes during the study. Body weights, respiratory and pulse rates increased significantly (p<0.05) in dexamethasone treated groups in both sexes compared to their respective controlled groups. It was concluded that dexamethasone increased body weights, respiratory and pulse rates in Chinchilla rabbits. Effects of dexamethasone on these parameters were not sex dependent