Name
Effect of Heated Anesthetic Circuit on Temperature of Anesthetized Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)
Speakers
Description
Hypothermia is a common anesthetic complication of rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Active warming methods can limit heat loss during anesthesia. The impact of a heated anesthesia circuit (HAC), which has been reported in non-human primates, has not been well studied in rabbits. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a commercially available HAC (Heated ZDS Qube, Darvall) on body temperature of anesthetized New Zealand white rabbits. Ten approximately 4-month-old, intact male rabbits were included in a randomized, complete crossover design. Each animal was anesthetized twice, with (W) or without (NW) the HAC, with a 7-day washout between anesthetic events. For each event, rectal and esophageal temperature were recorded at multiple intervals. Animals were premedicated (1 mg/kg midazolam and 1 mg/kg butorphanol intramuscularly) followed by induction with isoflurane via tight-fitting mask. Once intubated, the HAC was connected, which had been preheated (110°F) for W, but remained off for NW. At 60 minutes, all anesthesia equipment was removed, and sedation was reversed (0.1 mg/kg flumazenil subcutaneously). Once responsive, the animal was moved to an incubator at 85°F. Rectal temperature was recorded every 30 minutes until normothermia (≥100.4°F). Statistical analysis was performed with R (v 4.3.3), with significance at <0.05. Hypothermia (<100.4°F) under anesthesia occurred in 10/10 NW and 8/10 W events. Temperature decreased during all anesthetic events. Statistical analysis is ongoing, however, rectal and esophageal temperature appeared to decrease more slowly for W. An HAC may be useful in limiting anesthetic heat loss in clinical rabbit patients.
Session Type
Lecture (25 Min)