title: The use of etorphine/methotrimeprazine and midazolam as an anaesthetic technique in laboratory rats and mice.
abstract: The results of a preliminary evaluation of etorphine/methotrimeprazine ('Small Animal Immobilon') and midazolam in rats and mice are reported, and this regimen is compared to fentanyl/fluanisone/midazolam in mice. In rats, a surgical plane of anaesthesia with good muscle relaxation was produced, but blood gas analysis showed the presence of severe hypoxia, hypercapnia and acidosis. In mice etorphine/methotrimeprazine/midazolam and fentanyl/fluanisone/midazolam produced adequate anaesthesia, but blood gas analysis showed severe respiratory depression with both regimens. Since etorphine/methotrimeprazine/midazolam produced severe respiratory depression in rats and mice it is suggested that this regimen is used with caution. Administration of supplemental oxygen would seem advisable when using either etorphine/methotrimeprazine/midazolam or fentanyl/fluanisone/midazolam in rats and mice.
authors.affiliation: Comparative Biology Centre, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Medical School, UK.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Whelan
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Flecknell
mesh_terms: D000758:Anesthesia / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D000818:Animals; D000830:Animals, Laboratory; D001784:Blood Gas Analysis; D005048:Etorphine / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008728:Methotrimeprazine / Q000009:adverse effects; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008874:Midazolam / Q000009:adverse effects; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D012119:Respiration
chemical_list: D005048:Etorphine; D008728:Methotrimeprazine; D008874:Midazolam