Anesthetic Management of Rodents and Rabbits

Anesthesia, the loss of feeling or sensation of pain (analgesia) in order to humanely permit surgery or other painful procedures, is a legal, moral and ethical imperative. Anesthetic agents used in rodents and rabbits are usually delivered either via inhalation or injection. Of those that are given by injection, the action may be local or general. General Anesthesia is a state of unconsciousness, produced by anesthetic agents, with absence of pain sensation over the entire body and a greater or lesser degree of muscle relaxation. Balanced anesthesia is an important concept whereby a combination of drugs or agents, each in an amount sufficient to produce its major or desired effect to the optimum degree and keep its undesirable or unnecessary effects to a minimum. Safety and cost control are driving factors.

Pre-anesthetic Agents (in mg/kg, unless otherwise noted ) for Rodents and Rabbits