Clinico-biochemical effects of xylazine- ketamine and isoflurane on rabbits undergoing ovariohysterectomy

The serum biochemical and cardiovascular effects of total intravenous anesthesia, xylzine-ketamine and inhalation anesthesia, isoflurane was clinically compared in healthy female rabbits (n=16) undergoing ovariohysterectomy. One group of 8 rabbits was anesthetized with combination of xylazine (3mg/kg) and ketamine (10mg/kg, I/V), while the second group (n=8) was pre-anesthetized with xylazine, followed by treatment with isoflurane (4%) with oxygen flow rate of 1L/min. Rabbits administered with xylazineketamine anesthesia showed significant increase (P<0.05) in serum alanine aminotrasferase, aspartate transaminase and blood urea nitrogen as compared to isoflurane anesthesia; whereas, no statistical difference (P>0.05) was observed for alkaline phosphatase, creatinine and bilirubin between the two groups. Heart rate, blood pressure and saturation of oxygen were decreased in both groups but this decline was significantly lesser (P<0.05) in isoflurane administered group compared to xylazine-ketamine administered group. Both xylazine-ketamine and isoflurane proved to be suitable anesthetic agents for successful ovariohysterectomy in rabbits. As injectable anesthesia caused significant effect on serum biochemical and cardiovascular parameters when compared to inhalation, so, it is a less safe choice during lengthy surgical procedures like ovariohysterectomy.

Duke Scholars

Author Sajid Umar DKU Faculty