van Zeeland Y & Schoemaker N
Current anaesthetic considerations and techniques in rabbits.

Eur J Companion Anim Pract, 24(4): 19-30, 2014
ISSN: 1018-2357 The European Journal of Companion Animal Practice (PubMed)

Abstract
Rabbit anaesthesia is perceived by many as a difficult, high-risk procedure. Many veterinarians therefore do not feel comfortable when having to sedate or anaesthetize a rabbit. Fortunately, the arrival of newer, safer anaesthetic agents, development of specialized anaesthetic equipment, and increased knowledge about veterinary anaesthesia has greatly reduced the risks of anaesthesia related morbidity and mortality. In particular the use of endotracheal tubes or supraglottic airway devices, administration of intra-operative fluids and provision of adequate thermal support, combined with adequate and continued monitoring of the patient are important to prevent potentially fatal conditions such as hypoxia, hypovolaemia and/or hypo- or hyperthermia. Vigilant monitoring of the patient should, however, not only be limited to the anaesthetic procedure, but also extend to the pre- and post-anaesthetic period, in which a thorough evaluation of the patient may help to detect pre-existing conditions or post-anaesthetic complications that need to be dealt with in order to maximize chances of success. Various injectable and inhalant anaesthetics, premedicants and analgesics may be combined to achieve a balanced anaesthesia which minimizes the chances of adverse events. The first part of this review discusses the various aspects that need to be taken into consideration during the pre-anaesthetic evaluation as well as the most commonly used analgesics and anaesthetics in rabbit medicine.