Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
Department of Veterinary Surgery, Radiology, and Anesthesiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, New Valley University, Alkharga, New Valley, Egypt.
2
Department of Surgery, Anesthesiology and Radiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, New Valley University, Al Kharga, New Valley 27511, Egypt.
3
Department of Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, New Valley University, Egypt.
4
Theriogenology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, New Valley University, Al Kharga, New Valley
5
Department of Veterinary Surgery, Radiology, and Anesthesiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Assuit University
Abstract
General anesthesia in laboratory animals is essential for ensuring humane procedures and reliable experimental results. However, safe and effective anesthesia can be challenging due to species-specific physiological status. This study assessed the outcome of a single oral dose of gabapentin (25 mg/kg) on ketamine-induced general intravenous anesthesia in rabbits. A total of 36 healthy adult New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into two groups: a control group receiving oral saline and a gabapentin group receiving 25 mg/kg gabapentin, both administered 60 minutes prior to intravenous ketamine anesthesia. Induction time, depth of anesthesia, hemodynamic parameters, recovery quality, and duration of anesthesia were assessed. The gabapentin group exhibited a significantly shorter induction time (2.3 ± 0.4 minutes) compared to the control group (3.8 ± 0.6 minutes; p < 0.001). The depth of anesthesia was excellent in the gabapentin group, with all rabbits scoring 0 (absent reflexes), while the control group showed variable reflex responses (mean score = 0.6 ± 0.3; p < 0.01). Hemodynamic parameters remained stable in both groups, with no significant differences. Recovery quality was superior in the gabapentin group (score = 3) compared to the control group (score = 1.8 ± 0.5; p < 0.001), with no convulsions or twitches observed. The duration of anesthesia did not differ significantly between groups (21.5 ± 1.2 minutes vs. 22.0 ± 1.5 minutes; p = 0.35). These findings demonstrate that gabapentin significantly enhances the quality of ketamine anesthesia in rabbits, reducing induction time, improving anesthetic depth, and ensuring smooth recovery.
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