Rabbit anaesthesia & intubation

Re: Rabbit anaesthesia & intubation

Gillian Mostyn — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 21:28:21 GMT

With rabbits it really is a case of practicing. But I still have trouble with the tiny ones.....I rarely try in anything under 1.5kg 'cos in most cases it takes me longer to intubate than to do the procedure!

Re: Rabbit anaesthesia & intubation

Hannah Wynne Richards — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 14:12:54 GMT

Thanks Kevin

Best description of how to intubate a rabbit I've come across. I'll try it next time. I've always used a mask until now !

Wynne

Re: Rabbit anaesthesia & intubation

Kevin Castle — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 13:15:54 GMT

I try to routinely intubate rabbits, usually successfully. This is always done blind. We premed with Rimadyl, metoclopramide and Vetergesic at least 30 minutes before Domitor/Ketamine combo given subcutaneously (Domitor: 0.25ml/kg Ketamine: 0.15ml/kg) By the way they seem to go down just as fast whether this is given IM or SC.

We then give oxygen via face mask and spray the larynx with Intubeaze by putting small amount into endotracheal tube, advancing this onto the larynx and blowing it through onto the larynx. Continue to give oxygen for at least another minute and then try intubation once the local has helped Hold the head so that mouth is pointing vertically with rabbit in sternal recumbancy, advance the e-t tube slowly until breath sounds are heard and then at expiration insert into the trachea. A small cough is sometimetimes given and you're in!

Practice is needed but it's now very rare that the technique doesn't work.

Re: Rabbit anaesthesia & intubation

Rajat — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 19:11:36 GMT

Hi there.. I agree a good premed is essential, I like a domitor/vetergesic/ketamine premed with or wihtout midazolam. I try to use lower doses of domitor than most textbooks suggest, and find midazolam useful in aiding muscle relaxation and overall degree of sedation.

Recently I have started doing bunnies in dorsal recumbency and found it easier than in sternal, got a few in time!

Hpoxemia can be a very significant problem is bunnies so I always pre oxygenate and repeat this every minute if intubation is delayed. Can always add in a bit of gas but to be honest it seems to wear off very quickly! Haven't tried the flecknell laryngoscope.

Re: Rabbit anaesthesia & intubation

sarah mason — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 21:48:52 GMT

Normally use domitor and vetergesic as pre-med, induce with ketamine and then intubate. I managed to successfully intubate for my first year in practice using a normal straight laryngoscope, then moved jobs and failed every time, blind and eventully using the curved rabbit laryngoscope. so far in my third job have managed 1/1 blind.

I actually think a lot of the success depends on the person holding it, the neck needs to be quite straight for successful tubing

Re: Rabbit anaesthesia & intubation

Skeptvet — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 02:47:31 GMT

I generally premedicate with glycopyrrolate, ketamine, and meloxicam. I sometimes use buprenorphine in lieu of meloxicam, but I have found trouble with delayed recoveries if I give the opiod as a premed. I induce with isoclurane by mask, and I routinely try to intubate blindly, with a little lidocaine on the larynx, and probably succeed in about 75% of bunnies. I haven't had too much trouble with them being too light to intubate, though ocassionally I have to giveput the iso mask back on for a minute if I don't get the ET tube in right away.

Re: Rabbit anaesthesia & intubation

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 17:17:38 GMT

I too bought a Flecknell laryngoscope and so far I cannot get on with it at all. I don't know if I can get my money back.

So it would be good to see what everybody has to say.