Body temperature = 38-39.6oC
Heart rate = 130-325/min
Respiratory rate = 32-60/min
Tidal volume = 4-6 ml/kg
Many rabbits have serum atropinesterase which causes reduced response to atropine.
Glycopyrrolate, another anticholinergic, can be used instead of atropine.
Unique hypnotism or immobilization reflex has been observed in rabbits in the absence of drug use.
Large cecum can act as reservoir for anesthetics. Depending on drug solubility, the cecum can alter the pharmacologic effect.
Induction of anesthesia using volatile anesthetics (e.g., halothane and isoflurane) should be done with caution due to initial breath holding when animals are first exposed to irritating gas vapors.
Give IV injections via marginal ear veins.
Self-mutilation has been reported in rabbits after IM ketamine administration. Dilution of ketamine with saline will limit this side effect.
Ketamine, C-III (Ketaset®, Vetalar®) 15-50 mg/kg IM
Acetylpromazine 1.0-10 mg/kg IM SC IV
Ketamine/Acetylpromazine (10:1) 15-50 mg/kg IM
Diazepam, C-IV (Valium®) 5-10 mg/kg IV IM
Glycopyrrolate 0.005-0.011 mg/kg IM
Butorphanol and Acepromazine
Butorphanol tartrate, C-IV (Torbugesic®) 1 mg/kg SC
Acetylpromazine 1 mg/kg SC
Sodium Pentobarbital, C-II 15-40 mg/kg IV
(3% solution given slowly to effect)
Ketamine/Xylazine/Acepromazine:
Xylazine 5-10 mg/kg IM
Ketamine, C-III 35-50 mg/kg IM
Acepromazine 0.75 mg/kg IM
Ketamine/Midazolam
Ketamine, C-III 25 mg/kg IM
Midazolam, C-IV 1 mg/kg IM
Ketamine/Diazepam
Ketamine, C-III 15-50 mg/kg IM
Diazepam, C-IV 5-10 mg/kg IM
Ketamine/Acepromazine/Butorphanol
Ketamine, C-III 35 mg/kg SC
Acepromazine 0.75 mg/kg SC
Butorphanol tartrate, C-IV (Torbugesic®) 0.1 mg/kg SC
Ketamine/Medetomidine:
Ketamine 25 mg/kg IM +
Medetomidine 0.5 mg/kg IM
Reversal agent for Medetomidine: atipamezole 1 mg/kg SC, IM, or IV
Halothane (Fluothane®) To effect IH
Isoflurane To effect IH
Morphine, C-II 5 mg/kg q2-4h SC IM
Acetylsalicytic Acid (Aspirin) 500 mg/kg PO
Buprenorphine, C-V 0.02-0.1 mg/kg q8-12h SC
Butorphanol tartrate, C-IV (Torbugesic®) 0.1-1.5 mg/kg q4h IV
1.0-7.5 mg/kg q4h IM SC
Flunixin meglumine (Banamine®) 1.1 mg/kg q12h IM SC
Carprofen 1.5 mg/kg q12h PO
Ketoprofen 3 mg/kg q12h IM
Reversal Agents
Yohimbine ( reverses xylazine) 0.2 mg/kg IV
Anesthetic Depth: Adequate anesthesia for surgery can be very difficult to obtain in rabbits, especially when barbiturates are used. Rabbits are prone to develop respiratory depression and edema when anesthetized.
Atropinase: Atropine is frequently administered to anesthetized animals to reduce oral and respiratory secretions and to support heart rate. Many rabbits (up to 50%) have circulating atropinase and thus may demonstrate a reduced duration of effectiveness of this drug. Glycopyrrolate may be a better choice in this species.
To Stimulate Respiration: Rabbits are abdominal breathers. Support respiration by gently rocking the animal (head up, head down), and the weight of the abdominal contents will compress the diaphragm. Chest manipulation is relatively ineffective.