title: Arterial blood gas parameters in pet rabbits anaesthetized using a combination of fentanyl-fluanisone-midazolam-isoflurane.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Blood gas analysis is a well-recognized method to monitor pulmonary function, blood oxygenation, ventilation and acid-base status during general anaesthesia. The aim of this study was to report blood gas analysis results in pet rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) obtained during general anaesthesia using a portable clinical analyser.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-two rabbits were premedicated with 0·2 mL/kg fentanyl and fluanisone. Anaesthesia was induced with 0·2 mg/kg midazolam and maintained with 2% isoflurane in oxygen via endotracheal tube. Arterial blood samples were taken from the central ear artery 10 minutes after induction of anaesthesia.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Respiratory acidaemia was observed during anaesthesia. Mean ±sd (range) arterial blood pH was 7·33 ±0·08 (7·15 to 7·48). PaCO2 and PaO2 were, respectively, 55·02 ±10·5 (37·7 to 92·1) mmHg and 370·0 ±120·5 (67 to 561) mmHg. Base excess was 2·8 ±3·6 (-3 to 11) mmol/L, HCO3 was 28·73 ±3·07 (23·7 to 35·4) mmol/L and TCO2 was 30·4 ±3·2 (25 to 37) mmol/L. None of the rabbits developed haematoma during arterial blood collection or ischaemia of the pinna during the hospitalization period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Arterial blood gas analysis is a safe and easy to perform diagnostic technique that can contribute to improved safety of rabbit anaesthesia, by providing information on the respiratory and metabolic status of the patient.
authors: Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and The Roslin Institute, Division of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Hospital for Small Animals, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, Roslin, Midlothian, Scotland.
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Benato
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Chesnel
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Eatwell
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Meredith
mesh_terms: D000136:Acid-Base Equilibrium / Q000502:physiology*; D000768:Anesthesia, General / Q000662:veterinary*; D019162:Anesthetics, Combined; D018681:Anesthetics, General / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000818:Animals; D001784:Blood Gas Analysis / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D002090:Butyrophenones / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D005283:Fentanyl / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008168:Lung / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008874:Midazolam / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000662:veterinary; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood*; D011817:Rabbits / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology*; D056152:Respiratory Rate / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D019162:Anesthetics, Combined; D018681:Anesthetics, General; D002090:Butyrophenones; C005014:fluanisone; D008874:Midazolam; D010100:Oxygen; D005283:Fentanyl