Comparison of the Effects of Atropine Premedication on Anesthesia and Physiology of Ketamine Combinations (Xylazine-Ketamine vs Diazepam-Ketamine) in Rabbits

The management of anesthesia in rabbits is challenging not only for the surgeon but also for the veterinarian because they are very stress-sensitive and have a higher risk of having cardiopulmonary anesthetic complications. The present study aimed to assess and compare the anesthetic effect and physiological responses of atropine premedicated two injectable anesthetic regimes (Xylazine-Ketamine (AXK) and Diazepam-Ketamine (ADK)) in male local rabbits. The clinical and laboratory results showed that the premedication of atropine, followed by xylazine and ketamine (AXK group) induced significantly faster and smoother total recovery time (118.5 ±6.2 min) and deep and immediate analgesia (onset of analgesia at 4.8±0.3 min, duration of analgesia at 52.4±2.1 min) than the atropine-diazepam-ketamine (ADK group). The ADK group failed to produce any analgesic effect, but did produce a degree of sedation and muscle relaxation that was maintained and extended, as well as stressful times spent in the recumbent position and during recovery (138.2 ± 8.4 min). Physiological parameters revealed that atropine was found to be effective in maintaining cardiac and respiratory functions and in preventing severe bradycardia during post-induction period in both the groups. The Atropine-Xylazine-Ketamine protocol is a very effective and safe protocol for performing painful surgeries on rabbits.