Comparison of the effects of ketamine-diazepam, tiletamine-zolazepam and propofol infusion anesthesia in rabbits

Abstract

In this study we evaluated the anesthetic effects of ketamine-diazepam (K-D), tiletamine zolazepam (T-Z), and propofol (P) infusion for one h in rabbits, and also the impact of these anesthetics on physiological and biochemical parameters, and the tissue structure of the liver, kidney, and lungs. 18 New Zealand white rabbits were allocated to three administration groups. All groups were premedicated with xylazine. For induction, ketamine and diazepam were administered intravenously in group K-D, tiletamine-zolazepam combination was administered in group T-Z, and propofol was administered in group P. After induction, infusion anesthesia was continued for one h by intravenously ketamine and diazepam in group K-D, tiletamine-zolazepam combination in group T-Z, and propofol in group P. The respiratory rate significantly decreased in the P group at 30, 45, and 60 min compared to the initial values (P<0.05). End-tidal CO2 significantly increased in the P group at 30, 45, and 60 min compared to the initial values (P<0.05). All physiological and serum biochemical parameters were within the reference ranges. Infusions resulted in varying degrees of degenerative changes in the kidney, lung, and liver, but these changes did not affect the anesthesia status or biochemical parameters. We suggest that K-D, T-Z, and P can be applied safely as an infusion for one h anesthesia of rabbits as an alternative to traditional anesthesia regimens.