Iranian Journal of Veterinary Surgery

Iranian Journal of Veterinary Surgery

Intraosseous Propofol versus Isoflurane Anesthesia in Rabbits: Comparative Analysis of Clinical Parameters, Induction Quality, and Recovery Outcomes

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Department of Veterinary, Shk.C., Islamic Azad University, Shahrekord, Iran.
Abstract
This study compared intraosseous (IO) propofol with inhalational isoflurane anesthesia in 12 healthy male New Zealand White rabbits, evaluating clinical performance, physiological stability, and factors predicting recovery. Animals were randomly assigned to receive either intraosseous propofol or isoflurane for a 30-minute anesthetic period, and cardiopulmonary variables were recorded every 5 minutes. Loss of pedal and palpebral reflexes occurred faster with propofol, with mean times of 1.15 minutes and 0.47 minutes, compared with 2.03 minutes and 1.02 minutes with isoflurane (p < 0.05). The total duration of anesthesia was longer with propofol (36.33 minutes versus 33.58 minutes; p < 0.05), as was recovery time (6.92 minutes versus 5.00 minutes; p < 0.05). Anesthesia and recovery quality scores showed no significant differences (p > 0.05). Propofol produced higher early post-induction heart rates (p < 0.05) and greater temperature fluctuations, whereas isoflurane maintained higher oxygen saturation throughout anesthesia (p < 0.05). Predictive modelling showed that changes in oxygen saturation and rectal temperature independently predicted recovery time (p < 0.05). Logistic regression classified recovery quality with 85.4 percent accuracy, identifying changes in heart rate, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation as significant predictors (all p < 0.05). Decision tree analysis achieved 88.9 percent accuracy and ranked changes in oxygen saturation and rectal temperature as the strongest determinants of recovery quality. Overall, intraosseous propofol provided rapid induction and acceptable stability but required closer support to maintain body temperature and oxygenation. Isoflurane offered better control of oxygen saturation and temperature. The modelling results highlight the importance of maintaining adequate oxygen saturation, body temperature, and respiratory stability to optimize recovery from anesthesia in rabbits.
Keywords
Subjects

  1. Brodbelt D. Perioperative mortality in small animal anesthesia. Veterinary Journal. 2008; 182: 152-161. doi: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2008.06.011
  2. Lamont L, Grimm K. Veterinary anesthesia and analgesia: Lumb and Jones. 6th edn. John Wiley & sons, New Jersey, USA, 2024.
  3. Sarrafzadeh-Rezaei F, Dalir-Naghadeh B, Hassanpour H. Induction of general anesthesia with intraoseous injection of thiopental in rabbits. Iranian Journal of Veterinary Research. 2008; 24: 227-232. doi: 10.22099/ijvr.2008.569
  4. Gardhouse F, Sanchez A. Rabbit sedation and anesthesia. Sedation and Anesthesia in Zoological Companion Animals. 2022; 25: 181-210. doi: 10.1016/j.cvex.2021.08.012
  5. Fusco A, Douglas H, Barba A, Hopster K, Stefanovski D, Sinder B, Cahill PJ, Snyder B, Schaer TP. V-Gel guided endotracheal intubation in rabbits. Frontiers in Veterinary Science. 2021; 8. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2021.684624
  6. Miller RD. Miller’s anesthesia. 5th edn. Elsevier, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 2015.
  7. Kennedy C R, Gladden J N, Rozanski E A. Comparison of 3 intraosseous catheter sites and methods of determining placement success in cadaver rabbits. Canadian Journal of Veterinary Research. 2020; 84: 33-36.
  8. Bersanetti G, Martorelli M. Anesthesia in rabbits. Veterinaria (Cremona). 2021; 35: 221-230.
  9. Mazaheri-Khameneh R, Sarrafzadeh F, Asri-Rezaei S, Dalir-Naghadeh, B. Evaluation of clinical and paraclinical effects of intraosseous vs intravenous administration of propofol on general anesthesia in rabbits. Veterinary Research Forum. 2012; 3: 103-109.
  10. Kamiloglu A, Atalan G, Kamiloglu NN. Comparison of intraosseous and intramuscular drug administration for induction of anaesthesia in domestic pigeons. Research Journal of Veterinary Sciences. 2008; 85: 171-175. doi: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2007.09.002
  11. Marjani M, Mehrvar A. Comparison of intravenous and intraosseous anesthesia in animal models. Journal of Iranian Society of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care. 2012; 34: 51-57. [Persian]
  12. Martin-Cancho M F, Lima RJ, Luis L, Crisostomo V, Carrasco-Jimenez MS, Uson-Gargallo, J. Relationship of bispectral index values, haemodynamic changes and recovery times during sevoflurane or propofol anaesthesia in rabbits. Laboratory Animals. 2006; 40: 28-42. doi: 10.1258/002367706775404462
  13.  Machin KL, Caulket NA. Evaluation of isoflurane and propofol anesthesia for intraabdominal transmitter placement in nesting female canvasback ducks. Journal of Wildlife Diseases. 2000; 36(2): 324-334. doi: 10.7589/0090-3558-36.2.324
  14. Flecknell P. Laboratory animal anesthesia. 4th edn. Elsevier, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 2015.
  15. Wenger S. Anesthesia and analgesia in rabbits and rodents. Journal of Exotic Pet Medicine. 2012; 21: 7-16. doi: 10.1053/j.jepm.2011.11.010
  16. Bateman L, Ludders JW, Gleed RD. Comparison between facemask and laryngeal mask airway in rabbits during isoflurane anesthesia. Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia. 2005; 32: 280-288. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-2995.2005. 00169.x
  17. Daneshi M. Clinical comparison between intraosseous and intravenous anesthesia by a combination of ketamine–xylazine in dog. Journal of Clinical Research of Large Animals. 2007; 1: 7-11. [Persian]

Articles in Press, Corrected Proof
Available Online from 29 April 2026

  • Receive Date 14 December 2025
  • Revise Date 22 April 2026
  • Accept Date 29 April 2026
  • First Publish Date 29 April 2026