Evaluation of anaesthesia with xylazine-ketamine and xylazine-fentanyl-ketamine in rabbits: A comparative study

Abstract

Clinical and serum biochemical markers were utilized to assess the clinical efficacy of routinely used preanaesthetics and induction agents in rabbits. Eight healthy rabbits (3.0-3.5kg) of either sex were randomly assigned to one of two groups: XK (Xylazine-ketamine) or XFK (Xylazine–fentanyl–ketamine). Intramuscular injections of xylazine (5 mg/kg), ketamine (35 mg/kg), and fentanyl (0.02 mg/kg) were given to rabbits. Clinical parameters (rectal temperature, heart rate, and respiratory rate), as well as reflexes (righting reflex, palpebral reflex, and pedal reflex), were measured before and after anaesthetic injection at 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, and 100 minutes. Blood samples were also taken before anaesthesia and 30 minutes following induction. An autoanalyzer was used to examine serum biochemical parameters. In the XFK group, we observed that rectal temperature increased considerably (P<0.05) at 20 and 30 minutes after induction and then gradually fell to preanaesthetic control values. During the anaesthetic phase, both groups' heart rates and respiration rates reduced significantly. In XK-injected rabbits, the return of righting reflexes was delayed. Surgical anaesthesia lasted much longer in the animals of XK groups. During surgical anaesthesia, the values of albumin, cholesterol, phosphorus, HDL, and LDL were significantly increased (P<0.05) after administration of XK, whereas the values of total protein, globulin, cholesterol, triglyceride, creatinine, HDL, potassium, and chloride were significantly decreased (P<0.05). The XK combination provided sufficient anaesthesia for rabbits, as evidenced by a prolonged anaesthetic period, and good cardiovascular and other clinical indices.

Keywords

• Anaesthesia
• clinical chemistry
• fentanyl
• ketamine
• xylazine
• rabbit

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