Comparison of Different Regimens for Balanced Anesthesia in Rabbits

Abstract

The study was planned to compare the efficacy of different anesthetic combinations for induce balanced anesthesia in rabbits. Eighteen adult (12-18 months) New Zealand White rabbits of either sex weighting from (980-1800) gm were used in this study. Rabbits were divided into three equal groups (3 males - 3 females) in each group. The rabbits were anesthetized by intramuscular injection of different drug combinations: Detomidine (150µg/kg) + Ketamine (25mg/kg) in group A. Xylazine (2.5mg/kg) + Ketamine (25mg/kg) in group B. Midazolam (0.1mg/kg) + ketamine (25mg/kg) in group C. Rectal temperature, respiratory rate, heart rhythm, degree of analgesia, degree of muscle relaxation and eye reflexes (palpebral and corneal reflexes), pupil size, were recorded before the IM injection of the drugs (time zero) as a control data and after 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 45, 60, 75 minutes of injection respectively until the rabbit response to external stimuli. Induction time, anesthesia time and recovery time were recorded. The ovariohysterectomy in female and castration in male were carried out to study the efficiency of anesthetics. No significant difference was recorded for induction time, while the anesthesia time in group B was significantly longer than the other groups. Recovery time was significantly longer group A than the other groups. Superior analgesia and muscle relaxation were observed in group B. In conclusion, the mixture of Xylazine and Ketamine seems to be superior as balanced anesthetic drugs in rabbits.