Comparison between the anesthetic induction times in the first and second surgery in rabbits.

PURPOSE To compare the anesthetic induction time (IT) in the first and second surgery in rabbits. METHODS Eighteen rabbits, weighing between 1.825 and 2.980 kg. The anesthetic protocol consisted of premedication of ketamine and xylazine intramuscularly. The rabbits were anesthetized and the induction time was evaluated by compressing the animal's ear every 30 seconds. The IT was measure and than a saphenous vein surgery was made on the rabbit. Seven days after the first procedure, the same anesthetic protocol was performed and measuring the second IT. RESULTS It was observed an increase of 50 seconds on the average value of second IT in relation to the average value of first. The IT variation between the first and second anesthetic procedure was between 0 and eight minutes for each animal. In 94.4% of the animals, there was variation greater than 30 seconds between the IT. CONCLUSION There was difference between the first and second induction time in almost animals. There was an increase on the average value of second IT in relation to the average value of first.