Abstract
Objective
To evaluate the sedative effects of a combination of sufentanil and midazolam administered
intramuscularly (IM) or intranasally (IN) prior to induction of anesthesia with propofol
in New Zealand White rabbits.
Study design
Prospective, randomized, crossover, experimental study.
Animals
A total of 11 adult New Zealand White rabbits.
Methods
Sufentanil (0.5 μg kg–1) and midazolam (2 mg kg–1) were administered to rabbits via IM or IN route. The righting reflex was assessed,
and sedation was scored. Heart rate, respiratory rate (fR) and temperature were recorded prior to treatment administration and after loss of
the righting reflex.
Results
Measured variables remained within normal physiologic ranges for all rabbits. The
only statistically significant change was for fR, which was significantly lower after sedation for both routes. The time to loss of
righting reflex was 14.8 ± 6.5 and 12.5 ± 7.4 minutes and sedation scores were 6 (4–8)
and 7 (6–8) for IM and IN routes, respectively, with no difference between treatments.
No adverse effects were observed during the experimental period.
Conclusions and clinical relevance
Sufentanil combined with midazolam administered either IM or IN resulted in moderate
to deep sedation in New Zealand White rabbits at the dose rates studied.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: April 30, 2022
Accepted:
April 21,
2022
Received in revised form:
April 21,
2022
Received:
January 18,
2022
Identification
Copyright
© 2022 Association of Veterinary Anaesthetists and American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
