Anesthetization of porpoises for major surgery.

Comparison of three porpoises (Tursiops truncatus and Lagenorhynchus obliquidens) given nitrous oxide with 18 given halothane, with complete documentation of reflexes and comprehensive physiological monitoring, showed halothane to be a suitable anesthetic for major surgery while nitrous oxide was found to be inadequate. In addition, sodium thiopental administered intravenously was successfully used to facilitate intubation procedures. This development eliminated the need to intubate awake porpoises.