Clinical aspects of alfaxalone use in rabbits. Partial results.

peer reviewedAlfaxalone, a synthetic neuroactive steroid, has been shown to induce smooth general anesthesia in wild and companion rabbits. The aim of the study was to test the effect of alfaxolone in experimental rabbits without concomitant oxygen supplementation.Respiratory status was assessed by measuring the duration of the post-induction apnea, the respiratory rate, the oxygen saturation of hemoglobin in the peripheral blood (SpO2) and the end-tidal CO2 (EtCO2) Cardiac function was assessed by monitoring heart rate using a pulse oximeter. The degree of anesthesia was monitored by evaluating ear and paw pinch reflex, as well as ocular signs such as nystagmus, exophtalmia and the loss of palpebral and corneal reflexes