Rabbit anaesthesia

Question 1

What are the normal heart and resp rates for a rabbit?

Answer 1

120bpm

50 breaths per min

Question 2

What vein would you use for venous access in a rabbit

Answer 2

Marginal ear

Question 3

Describe the process of rabbit induction

Answer 3

Preoxygenate - 3 mins
Induction - Alfaxan, draw up full dose required and give 1/4 every 15 seconds until patient has been anethetised or full dose has been given
Achieving a stable airway - Obligate nasal breather so need to disengage the soft pallette from the larynx to visualise epiglottis (spray with lidocaine)
Use ayres T piece circuit

Question 4

Describe how you can detect correct intubation in a rabbit

Answer 4

ETCO2

Tidal vol = 4-6ml/kg

Question 5

Describe the best positioning for rabbit anaesthesa

Answer 5

Head and chest elevated - no pressure on thorax

Question 6

Describe the fluid therapy that you may give anaesthetized rabbits

Answer 6

• 2-4ml/kg/hr
• Warmed balanced crystalloid
• Important for those with dental disease (consider pre-anaesthetic stabilisation)
  (also other methods such as subcut, IV bolus and IO)

Question 7

What analgesial drug will you give rabbits

Answer 7

Buprenorphine (good preop)

Can also give lidocaine and buprenorphine locally

Question 8

Describe methods of GI support in rabbits

Answer 8

Prokinetic meds e.g. medacloprid

Feed early