The following list includes only the commonly used anesthetic agents in rabbits. A list of other anesthetics suitable for specific procedures and additional information about the effects, mode of action, metabolism, and side effects of these agents are available in the CMU office, extension 6555.  For routine anesthetic procedures, rabbits should be premedicated with 0.1 mg/kg of glycopyrrolate to control salivation and maintain heart rate.

INJECTABLE AGENTS:

Ketamine + xylazine - 5-10 mg/kg of xylazine by intramuscular injection followed in 10 minutes by 35-50 mg/kg of ketamine by intramuscular injection.  COMMENTS:  Injection volumes greater than 1 ml should be divided into multiple sites; exercise care in injecting to avoid perineural injury which is manifest as impaired reflexes and self-mutilation in the limb distal to the site of injection; higher doses are necessary to achieve surgical anesthesia; can be partially reversed with 0.2 mg/kg yohimbine by intravenous injection.

Pentobarbital - 20-60 mg/kg by intravenous injection, suggest use 28 mg/kg as a starting calculated dose, initially give 1/3 of the calculated dose and evaluate the response before giving more. COMMENTS: Barbiturates generally produce respiratory depression which is particularly profound in rabbits, the anesthetic dose and the dose that produces apnea and death are very close, one must be prepared to ventilate the rabbit if necessary, experience is important when using barbiturates in rabbits.

Thiopental - Doses vary: 12 - 25 mg/kg by intravenous injection is recommended. Initially, the animal should be given half of the calculated dose rapidly followed by the balance slowly until anesthesia is achieved. COMMENTS: You may have a narrow margin of safety in some animals depending on breed and condition. Please be prepared to intubate the animal and provide ventilatory support. Usually this method is used as a means of induction with maintenance provided by an inhalant anesthetic agent.

Ketamine + xylazine + acetylpromazine - 35 mg/kg of ketamine, 5 mg/kg of xylazine and 0.75 mg/kg of acetylpromazine all by intramuscular injection, can be mixed together. COMMENTS: Injection volumes greater than 1 ml should be divided into multiple sites; exercise care in injecting to avoid perineural injury which is manifest as impaired reflexes and self-mutilation in the limb distal to the site of injection; suitable for most surgical procedures; good muscle relaxation and analgesia.

INHALANT AGENTS:

Note:  Inhalation anesthetics are generally administered to rabbits via an endotracheal tube. Intubation may be difficult in rabbits and requires both training and practice.  For intubation, rabbits can be preanesthetized with the low doses of ketamine and xylazine (given above) or inhalant agents administered in an enclosed chamber.  Please contact the CMU for instruction.

Halothane - 3-5% of inspired gas used for induction, 1.0-1.5% of inspired gas for maintenance, delivered through an endotracheal tube and a nonrebreathing apparatus with vaporizer.  COMMENTS:  Requires a vaporizer, waste gases should be scavenged for personal safety reasons, rapid induction and recovery.

soflurane - 3-5% of inspired gas used for induction, 1-4% of inspired gas for maintenance, delivered through an endotracheal tube and a nonrebreathing apparatus with vaporizer.  COMMENTS: Requires a vaporizer, waste gases should be scavenged for personal safety reasons, rapid induction and recovery; may be cardioprotective.