title: Induction of anaesthesia with sevoflurane and isoflurane in the rabbit.
abstract: The effects of induction of anaesthesia with sevoflurane and isoflurane were studied in rabbits. All rabbits had periods of apnoea (ranging from 30-180 s) during induction which resulted in moderate hypercapnia and acidosis. Arterial pCO2 rose from 4.1 +/- 0.3 kPa to a peak of 7.6 +/- 0.4 kPa (mean +/- SD) (both agents). All animals showed a significant reduction in heart rate (P < 0.05). Heart rate (HR) fell from 226 +/- 33 to a minimum during induction of 57 +/- 32 (sevoflurane) and 199 +/- 41 to 45 +/- 11 (isoflurane). Most animals struggled violently during induction. Use of sevoflurane did not prevent the breath-holding response seen during induction of anaesthesia with other volatile anaesthetics in this species, and the severe apnoea which occurs may represent a significant hazard. The behaviour of the animals indicated that both sevoflurane and isoflurane are aversive, suggesting that this technique should be avoided whenever possible.
authors.affiliation: Comparative Biology Centre, University of Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Flecknell
authors.forename: J V
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Roughan
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hedenqvist
mesh_terms: D000769:Anesthesia, Inhalation / Q000662:veterinary*; D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation; D000818:Animals; D001049:Apnea / Q000662:veterinary; D001784:Blood Gas Analysis / Q000662:veterinary; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D007530:Isoflurane; D008397:Masks / Q000662:veterinary; D008738:Methyl Ethers; D011817:Rabbits / Q000502:physiology*; D011897:Random Allocation; D012119:Respiration / Q000187:drug effects; D012149:Restraint, Physical / Q000662:veterinary; D000077149:Sevoflurane
chemical_list: D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation; D008738:Methyl Ethers; D000077149:Sevoflurane; D007530:Isoflurane