The adjunct pre-anesthetic effect of a Single Oral Dose of Gabapentin on Ketamine- Anesthesia in Rabbits | ||||
| New Valley Veterinary Journal | ||||
| Volume 5, Issue 2, June 2025, Page 56-61 PDF (373.35 K) | ||||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||||
| DOI: 10.21608/nvvj.2025.363033.1072 | ||||
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| Authors | ||||
Mohamed Abdelkawi   1; mona Gadelrab2; Mohamed Wefky ElSherif 3; Waleed Senosy 4; Mohamed Semeika5
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| 1Department of Veterinary Surgery, Radiology, and Anesthesiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, New Valley University, Alkharga, New Valley, Egypt. | ||||
| 2Department of Surgery, Anesthesiology and Radiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, New Valley University, Al Kharga, New Valley 27511, Egypt. | ||||
| 3Department of Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, New Valley University, Egypt. | ||||
| 4Theriogenology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, New Valley University, Al Kharga, New Valley | ||||
| 5Department of Veterinary Surgery, Radiology, and Anesthesiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Assuit University | ||||
| Abstract | ||||
| General anesthesia in laboratory animals is essential for ensuring humane procedures and reliable experimental results. However, safe and effective anesthesia can be challenging due to species-specific physiological status. This study assessed the outcome of a single oral dose of gabapentin (25 mg/kg) on ketamine-induced general intravenous anesthesia in rabbits. A total of 36 healthy adult New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into two groups: a control group receiving oral saline and a gabapentin group receiving 25 mg/kg gabapentin, both administered 60 minutes prior to intravenous ketamine anesthesia. Induction time, depth of anesthesia, hemodynamic parameters, recovery quality, and duration of anesthesia were assessed. The gabapentin group exhibited a significantly shorter induction time (2.3 ± 0.4 minutes) compared to the control group (3.8 ± 0.6 minutes; p < 0.001). The depth of anesthesia was excellent in the gabapentin group, with all rabbits scoring 0 (absent reflexes), while the control group showed variable reflex responses (mean score = 0.6 ± 0.3; p < 0.01). Hemodynamic parameters remained stable in both groups, with no significant differences. Recovery quality was superior in the gabapentin group (score = 3) compared to the control group (score = 1.8 ± 0.5; p < 0.001), with no convulsions or twitches observed. The duration of anesthesia did not differ significantly between groups (21.5 ± 1.2 minutes vs. 22.0 ± 1.5 minutes; p = 0.35). These findings demonstrate that gabapentin significantly enhances the quality of ketamine anesthesia in rabbits, reducing induction time, improving anesthetic depth, and ensuring smooth recovery. | ||||
| Keywords | ||||
| Anesthesia; Gabapentin; Premedication; Rabbits | ||||
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