Introduction

• All commercially available inhalational agents have been used in the rabbit.
• The most widely used agents are isoflurane Isoflurane and sevoflurane Sevoflurane.
• It is also safe to use desflurane and methoxyflurane.
• Halothane used to be widely used, however has been surpassed by isoflurane and is no longer widely available.
• Ether should not be used in rabbits, as it is very irritating to the respiratory system and can exacerbate pre-existing respiratory disease.
• All inhalational agents should be used with calibrated vaporizers only.

Print off the Owner factsheet All about anaesthesia to give to your clients.

Induction

Maintenance

Agents

Room pollution

Calculation of gas flow rate

Further Reading

Publications

Refereed papers

• Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
• Uzun M, Kiraz H A, Ovali M A et al (2015) The investigation of airway management capacity of v-gel and cobra-PLA in anaesthetised rabbits. Acta Cir Bras 30 (1), 80-86 PubMed. 
• Wenger S (2012) Anesthesia and analgesia in rabbits and rodents. J Exotic Pet Med 21 (1), 7-16 SciDirect.
• Johnson D H (2010) Endoscopic intubation of exotic companion mammals. Vet Clin North Am Exotic Anim Pract 13 (2), 273-289 PubMed.
• Marsh M K, McLeod S R, Hansen A et al (2009) Induction of anaesthesia in wild rabbits using a new alfaxalone formulation. Vet Rec 164 (4), 122-123 PubMed.
• González-Gil A, Silván G, García-Partida P et al (2006) Serum glucocorticoid concentrations after halothane and isoflurane anesthesia in New Zealand white rabbits. Vet Rec 159 (2), 51-52 PubMed.
• Smuszkiewicz P, Drobnik L, Mieszkowski J et al (2006) Comparison of the influence of halothane and isoflurane on airway transepithelial potential difference. Pharmacol Rep 58 (5), 736-745 PubMed.
• Turner P V, Kerr C L, Healy A J et al (2006) Effect of meloxicam and butorphanol on minimum alveolar concentration of isoflurane in rabbits. Am J Vet Res 67 (5), 770-774 PubMed.
• Bateman L, Ludders J W, Gleed R D et al (2005) Comparison between facemasks and laryngeal mask airway in rabbits during isoflurane anesthetic. Vet Anesth Analg 32 (5), 280-288 PubMed.
• Gil A G, Silván G, Martínez-Mateos M M et al (2005) Serum catecholamine levels after halothane and isoflurane anaesthesia in rabbits. Vet Rec 157 (19), 589-590 PubMed.
• Hedenquist P, Rougham J V, Antunes L et al (2001) Induction of anaesthesia with desflurane and isoflurane in the rabbit. Lab Anim 35 (2), 172-179 PubMed.
• Borkowski R & Karas A Z (1999) Sedation and anesthesia of pet rabbits. Clin Tech Small Animal Pract 14 (1), 44-49 PubMed.
• Flecknell P A, Roughan J V & Hedenqvist P (1999) Induction of anaesthesia with sevoflurane and isoflurane in the rabbit. Lab Anim 33 (1), 41-46 PubMed.
• Imai A, Steffey E P, Ilkiw J E et al (1999) Comparison of clinical signs and hemodynamic variables used to monitor rabbits during halothane- and isoflurane-induced anesthesia. Am J Vet Res 60 (10), 1189-1195 PubMed.
• Flecknell P A, Cruz I J, Liles J H et al (1996) Induction of anaesthesia with halothane and isoflurane in the rabbit - a comparison of the use of a face-mask or an anaesthetic chamber. Lab Anim 30 (1), 67-74 PubMed.
• Flecknell P A & Liles J H (1996) Halothane anaesthesia in the rabbit - a comparison of the effects of medetomidine, acepromazine and midazolam on breath-holding during induction. J Vet Anaesth 23 (1), 11-14 VetMedResource.
• Aeschbacher G (1995) Rabbit anesthesia. Compend Contin Educ Pract Vet 17 (8), 1003-1011 VetMedResource.
• Peeters M, Gil D, Teske E et al (1988) Four methods for general anaesthesia in the rabbit: a comparative study. Lab Anim 22 (4), 355-360 PubMed. 
• Scheller M S, Saidman L J & Partridge B L (1988) MAC of sevoflurane in humans and the New Zealand white rabbit. Can J Anaesth 35 (2), 153-156 PubMed.
• Sedgwick C J (1986) Anesthesia for rabbits. Vet Clin North Am Food Anim Pract 2 (3), 731-736 PubMed.
• Drummond J C (1985) MAC for halothane, enflurane, and isoflurane in the New Zealand White rabbit and a test for the validity of MAC determinations. Anesthesiology 62 (3), 336-338 PubMed.

Other sources of information

• Flecknell P (2016) Managing and Monitoring Anesthesia. In: Laboratory Animal Anesthesia. 4th edn. Elsevier, UK. pp 77-108.
• Eatwell K (2014) Anaglesia, Sedation and Anesthesia. In: Manual of Rabbit Medicine.Eds: Meredith A & Lord B. BSAVA, UK. pp 138-159.
• Heard D (2014) Lagomorphs (rabbits, hares, and pikas). In: Zoo Animal and Wildlife Immobilization and Anesthesia. 2nd edn. Eds: West G, Heard D & Caulkett N. Wiley Blackwell, USA. pp 879-891.
• Hawkins M G & Pascoe P J (2012) Anesthesia, Analgesia, and Sedation of Small Mammals. In: Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery. 3rd edn. Eds: Quesenberry K E & Carpenter J W. Elsevier Saunders, USA. pp 429-451.
• Varga M (2014) Ed Anesthesia and Analgesia. In: Textbook of Rabbit Medicine.  2nd edn. Butterworth-Heinemann, UK. pp 178-202.