TABLE 14-4.
Common Anesthetic Combinations Used to Anesthetize Rabbits
| Agents | Dose (mg/kg) | Route | Duration/anesthesia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medetomidine | 0.2 mg/kg | SC, IM | Anesthesia 30-40 min; recovery 1-4 h |
| Ketamine | 10 mg/kg | ||
| Butorphanol | 0.05 mg/kg | ||
| Fentanyl | 0.3 ml/kg | IM | Anesthesia 20-40 min with good muscle relaxation; recovery 1-2 h |
| Midazolam | 0.5-2 mg/kg | IV | |
| Ketamine | 20-35 mg/kg | IM/IV | Anesthesia 25-35 min; recovery 1-2 h |
| Xylazine | 3-5 mg/kg | ||
| Ketamine | 20-35 mg/kg | IM/IV | Anesthesia 20-30 min; recovery 1½ h |
| Diazepam | 1-5 mg/kg |
From Harcourt-Brown F: Textbook of Rabbit Medicine, London, 2002, Elsevier; Flecknell P: Laboratory Animal Anesthesia, ed 2, San Diego, 1996, Academic Press. IM, intramuscular; IV, intravenous; PO, per os; SC, subcutaneous.