Introduction

• Respiratory function should be closely monitored during rabbit anesthesia.
• Drugs commonly used in anesthetic protocols for rabbits can produce apnea, ventilatory depression, hypoxemia and hypercapnia Anesthesia: protocols.
• Obesity and body positions where viscera compresses the small thoracic cavity of rabbits can also produce respiratory problems.
• Surgeons used to doing surgery in larger species, eg dogs, can inadvertently compress the chest of rabbits. Proper patient positioning, good surgical technique and the use of plastic drapes to better visualize the patient help prevent this.

Pre-anesthetic

Monitoring respiratory function during anesthesia

Visual assessment

Capnography

Arterial blood gas

Pulsoximetry

Preventing respiratory problems

Correcting oxygenation/respiratory problems

Further Reading

Publications

Refereed papers

• Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
• Eatwell K, Mancinelli E, Hedley J et al (2013) Use of arterial blood gas analysis as a superior method for evaluation respiratory function in pet rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Vet Rec 173 (7), 166 PubMed.

Other sources of information

• Ozeki L & Caulkett N (2014) Monitoring. In: Zoo Animal and Wildlife Immobilization and Anesthesia. 2nd edn. Eds: West G, Heard D & Caulkett N. Wiley Blackwell, USA. pp 43-51.
• Standford M (2004) Practical use of Capnography in Exotic Animal Anesthesia. Exotic DVM 6 (3), 57-60.

Further Information 

• The Webinar Vet - Capnography- what is it telling me?