Induction of anaesthesia with either midazolam or propofol in rabbits premedicated with fentanyl/fluanisone.

ABSTRACT

Fifty-four rabbits that were to be neutered were premedicated with 0.1 ml/kg fentanyl/fluanisone and then randomly allocated to be anaesthetised with either midazolam or propofol. Anaesthesia was then maintained with isoflurane. The ease of orotracheal intubation, the rabbits' cardiorespiratory variables, and the speed and quality of recovery from anaesthesia were assessed by the same anaesthetist who was unaware of the induction agent used. Hypotension was common in both groups. The mean (sd) respiratory rates were 30 (12) breaths per minute in the midazolam group and 43 (15) breaths per minute in the propofol group. The mean (sd) time to first head lift was 36 (21) minutes in the midazolam group and 14 (11) minutes in the propofol group, and the mean (sd) times to the return of the righting reflex were 35 (19) minutes and 15 (eight) minutes, respectively. The quality of recovery was better in the propofol group than in the midazolam group.