An evaluation of three intravenous anesthetic regimens in New Zealand rabbits.

Intravenous anesthetics can be readily administered to rabbits through the marginal ear vein. In this study, three intravenous anesthetic protocols were evaluated in New Zealand White rabbits. The three anesthetic regimens were: (a) pentobarbital (40 mg/kg); (b) ketamine-xylazine (25-5 mg/kg); (c) midazolam-xylazine-alfentanil (1-1-0.1 mg/kg). The anesthetics were injected slowly over defined time intervals. Reactions to noxious stimuli were determined before and after administration of the anesthetics. Additionally, the effects of the anesthetic agents on the rabbit's cardiopulmonary system were evaluated. Rabbits anesthetized with midazolam-xylazine-alfentanil did not have a pedal withdrawal or ear pinch reflex throughout the testing period. The ketamine-xylazine combination produced a shorter duration of non-responsiveness to noxious stimuli. Rabbits anesthetized with pentobarbital had the greatest variability in response to noxious stimuli. Apnea occurred in at least one rabbit in each group. A side effect unique to the midazolam-xylazine-alfentanil group was the occurrence of opisthotonus or seizure activity during or shortly after the administration of alfentanil. Hypotension, hypercapnia and respiratory acidosis were characteristic of the cardiopulmonary effects of the anesthetics. When choosing an anesthetic regimen for rabbits, intravenous infusion should be considered as an option. Advantages include ease of administration, possibility of redosing as required, and minimal requirements for equipment. Disadvantages of intravenous anesthetic infusion in rabbits include potential for lethal overdose and metabolic alterations after administration.