Comparative study of isoflurane and ketamine anesthetics in Rabbits

Abstract

The current study was aimed to establish best anesthetic protocols in rabbit, for this purpose six clinically healthy male New Zealand White rabbits weighing 2±00 kg were procured. All rabbits received two anesthetic treatments with one week interval. Treatment: A Ketamine 35 mg/kg IM and Xylazine 5 mg/kg IM, Treatment B: Isoflurane (3 to 5 %) through facemask followed by Xylazine 5 mg/kg IM. Physiological parameters such as, heart rate, rectal temperature and respiratory rate were recorded before and after administration of anesthetics in all animals. Heart rate of all animals significantly (P<0.05) decreased with Xylazine and increased significantly (P<0.05) with Ketamine at 10 minutes and at 15 minutes with Isoflurane after induction of anesthesia. Respiratory rates were significantly decreased (P<0.05) at 15 and 10 minutes in Group A and B respectively. No significant difference was observed in rectal temperature in both treatment groups. The onset and degree of sedation was non-significant (P>0.05) in both treatment groups. Induction of anesthesia was same in both treatment groups and was non-significant at (P>0.05). Isoflurane showed a significantly (P<0.05) longer duration of Anesthesia compared to Ketamine. Relaxation of muscle increased significantly (P<0.05) with Isoflurane compared to ketamine. Duration of analgesia and recovery from anesthesia was also found significant (P<0.05) with Isoflurane compared with ketamine. It was concluded that Isoflurane is the safe anesthetic agent for rabbits as an alternative of ketamine for longer duration of anesthesia and smooth recovery with enhanced analgesia.