Veterinary Guidelines for Anesthetics: Rabbits

Anticholinergics

  • Atropine*, 0.05-0.5 mg/kg; SQ (1)
  • Glycopyrrolate, 0.01 mg/kg; IM; (16)

Tranquilizers

  • Acepromazine, 1-10 mg/kg; IM; (1)
  • Diazepam, 5-10 mg/kg; IM; (2)
  • Xylazine, 3-9 mg/kg; IV; (1)
  • Xylazine, 5 mg/kg; IM; (7)

Neuroleptanalgesics

  • Droperidol and fentanyl, 0.125ml/kg (sedation); IM; (2)
  • Droperidol and fentanyl, 0.062 ml/kg; SQ; (sedation**); (14)
  • Droperidol and fentanyl, 0.22 ml/kg (anesthesia); IM; (9)

Dissociative Anesthesia

  • Ketamine, 44 mg/kg; IM; (1)(7)
  • Ketamine, 15-20 mg/kg; IV; (7)
  • Ketamine, 35 mg/kg + Xylazine 5 mg/kg; IM; (1)
  • Ketamine, 30 mg/kg + Diazepam, 5 mg/kg (sedation, poor analgesia); IM; (3)

Barbiturates

  • Methohexital, 4-10 mg/kg (use diluted solution); IV; (2)
  • Pentobarbital, 25-40 mg/kg (use diluted solution); IV; (7)
  • Thiamylal, 31 mg/kg (mean dose; use 1% solution); IV; (9)
  • Thiopental, 30 mg/kg; IV; (12)

Analgesics

  • Buprenorphine, 0.01-0.05 mg/kg, q 6-12 hr.; SQ, IV; (4)
  • Butorphanol, 0.1-0.5 mg/kg, q 4 hr.; IV (4) 0.5-1.0 mg/kg, q 2-3 hr;SQ,IM; (14)
  • Meperdine, 10 mg/kg, q 2-3 hr.; SQ, IM; (4)
  • Morphine, 2-5 mg/kg, q 2-4 hr.; SQ, IM; (4)
  • Nalbuphine, 1-2 mg/kg, q 4-5 hr.; IV; (4)
  • Pentazocine, 5 mg/kg, q 2-4 hr.; IV; (4)

* Approximately 60% of all rabbits have an atropinesterase that can inactivate atropine.
** The calculated dose of drug is diluted with approximately 2 milliliters (mls) of sterile saline prior to administration.