Introduction

• A basic anesthetic regime can be modified for critically ill patients.
• In many situations it is best to modify an existing technique as the safest regime is one with which you are familiar.
• New anesthetic agents or novel techniques can be introduced gradually.
• This section should be considered in conjunction with other existing anesthesia modules Anesthesia: general Anesthesia: overview Anesthesia: preparation Anesthesia: inhalational Anesthesia: injectable Anesthesia: intra- and post-operative care Anesthesia: emergencies.

Preparation of the rabbit

Preparation for anesthesia

Induction of anesthesia

Maintenance of anesthesia

Recovery

Further Reading

Publications

Refereed papers

• Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
• Delk K W, Carpenter J W, KuKanich B et al (2014) Pharmacokinetics of meloxicam administered orally to rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) for 29 days. Am J Vet Res 75 (2), 195-199 PubMed.
• Barter L S (2011) Rabbit analgesia. Vet Clin North Am Exotic Anim Pract 14 (1), 93-104 PubMed.
• Hedley J (2011) Critical care of the rabbit. In Pract 33 (8), 386-391 VetMedResource.
• Paul-Murphy J (2007) Critical care of the rabbit. Vet Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract 10 (2), 437-461 PubMed.
• Eatwell K (2003) Advanced rabbit anaesthesia. Vet Times 33 (18), 12, 14 VetMedResource.
• Robertson S A (2001) Analgesia and analgesic techniques. Vet Clin North Am Exotic Anim Pract 4 (1), 1-18 PubMed.
• Kounenis G, Koutsoviti-Papadopoulou M, Elezoglou A et al (1992) Comparative study of the H2-receptor antagonists cimetidine, ranitidine, famotidine and nazatidine on the rabbit fundus and sigmoid colon. J Pharmacobiodyn 15 (10), 561-565 PubMed.

Other sources of information

• Flecknell P (2016) Managing and monitoring anesthesia. In: Laboratory Animal Anaesthesia. 4th edn. Academic Press, Elsevier. pp 77-108.
• Hedley J (2015) Rabbit anaesthesia and monitoring. In: Proc 58th BSAVA Annual Congress.  
• Varga M (2014) Anesthesia and Analgesia. In: Textbook of Rabbit Medicine. 2nd edn. Butterworth-Heinemann, Oxford. pp 178-202.
• Grint N (2013) Anesthesia. In: Manual of rabbit surgery, dentistry and imaging. Eds. Harcourt-Brown F & Chitty J. BSAVA. pp 1-25.
• Lichtenberger M (2008) Anesthesia, analgesia and monitoring of the critical rabbit patient. In: Proc 51st BSAVA Annual Congress. pp 160-163.