Evaluation of intraperitoneal and incisional bupivacaine or levobupivacaine for postoperative analgesia in ovariohysterectomized dogs

Background: Ovariohysterectomy (OHE) is the most commonly performed elective surgical procedure in companionanimals. OHE offers benefits of control of population and decreased risk of potentially life-threatening diseases such asmammarian tumours and pyometra. Traditional OHE intervention causes inflammation and pain due to trauma duringorgan manipulation. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of intraperitoneal and incisional administrationof bupivacaine (BP) or levobupivacaine (LP) on postoperative analgesia in dogs undergoing the OHE procedure.Materials, Methods & Results: A total of 24 mix-breed bitches aged between 1 - 3 years and weighed 19 - 20 kg wereused in this study. The animals were divided into three groups as control (n = 8), BP (n = 8) and LP group (n = 8). Theanimals were kept under surveillance at the hospitalisation unit of the animal hospital for one day before the elective OHE.The dogs were fasted for 12 h before the surgery, with adlib water consumption. Atropine sulphate 0.045 mg/kg was administered subcutaneously approximately 30 min before general anaesthesia. Midazolam (0.3 mg/kg) was intravenouslyinjected into all dogs for pre-anaesthetic medication. After sedation, anaesthesia was induced with propofol (4 mg/kg, IV)and then the dogs were orotracheally intubated using cuffed endotracheal tubes. General anaesthesia was maintained byadministration of 2% isoflurane. The ventral abdomen was prepared aseptically for OHE following the general anaesthesia.All animals were operated on by the same surgeon. During surgery, sprayed bupivacaine 0.5% (4.4 mg/kg) with an equalvolume of saline in BP group, levobupivacaine 0.5% (4.4 mg/kg) with an equal volume of saline in LP were then appliedover the ovaries, uterine broad ligaments and cervix uteri. After removal of the uterine body, either LP or BP was sprayedto left and right, or cranial and caudal parts of the abdominal cavity...(AU)

Evaluation of intraperitoneal and incisional bupivacaine or levobupivacaine for postoperative analgesia in ovariohysterectomized dogs

Background: Ovariohysterectomy (OHE) is the most commonly performed elective surgical procedure in companionanimals. OHE offers benefits of control of population and decreased risk of potentially life-threatening diseases such asmammarian tumours and pyometra. Traditional OHE intervention causes inflammation and pain due to trauma duringorgan manipulation. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of intraperitoneal and incisional administrationof bupivacaine (BP) or levobupivacaine (LP) on postoperative analgesia in dogs undergoing the OHE procedure.Materials, Methods & Results: A total of 24 mix-breed bitches aged between 1 - 3 years and weighed 19 - 20 kg wereused in this study. The animals were divided into three groups as control (n = 8), BP (n = 8) and LP group (n = 8). Theanimals were kept under surveillance at the hospitalisation unit of the animal hospital for one day before the elective OHE.The dogs were fasted for 12 h before the surgery, with adlib water consumption. Atropine sulphate 0.045 mg/kg was administered subcutaneously approximately 30 min before general anaesthesia. Midazolam (0.3 mg/kg) was intravenouslyinjected into all dogs for pre-anaesthetic medication. After sedation, anaesthesia was induced with propofol (4 mg/kg, IV)and then the dogs were orotracheally intubated using cuffed endotracheal tubes. General anaesthesia was maintained byadministration of 2% isoflurane. The ventral abdomen was prepared aseptically for OHE following the general anaesthesia.All animals were operated on by the same surgeon. During surgery, sprayed bupivacaine 0.5% (4.4 mg/kg) with an equalvolume of saline in BP group, levobupivacaine 0.5% (4.4 mg/kg) with an equal volume of saline in LP were then appliedover the ovaries, uterine broad ligaments and cervix uteri. After removal of the uterine body, either LP or BP was sprayedto left and right, or cranial and caudal parts of the abdominal cavity...

Comparison of the depth of anesthesia produced with dexmedetomidine-sevoflurane or medetomidine-sevoflurane by using bispectral index monitoring

Background: Bispectral index (BIS) monitor was developed to utilize the depth of anesthesia by estimating electroencephalogram (EEG) signals. BIS, which is the numerical value of EEG derivative, is used for evaluation of depression of central nervous system (CNS) in human medicine. The depressive effect of sedative and anaesthetic agents on CNS in human is correlated to BIS. Dexmedetomidine (DEX) is administered as continuous infusion during anesthesia and surgery in humans. DEX is a hypnotic with high selectivity for 2-adrenergic receptors.Materials, Methods & Results: Adult female New Zealand rabbits (mean ± SD body weight 3.8 ± 0.5 kg) were procured from a certified commercial source to use in medical researches. The animal number in each of the two study groups was four, for a total of eight. The rabbits were randomly divided into two equal groups (n = 4). The rabbits DEX group were administered 20 mcg/kg of iv. DEX HCI for premedication. Medetomidine (MED) group was administered 20 mcg/ kg of iv MED for premedication. Induction was provided by 5% of sevoflurane + 4 L/min oxygen via glove mask in the both groups. General anesthesia was maintained with 3% of sevoflurane + oxygen on spontaneous respiration for 30 min. The animals temporomandibular region was shaved; its fat was eliminated with ether before the study. Human sensors were used as BIS sensor consisted of...

Effects of dexketoprofen trometamol on stress and oxidative stress in cattle undergoing claw trimming

Background: Animal welfare raised a great deal of attention and associated with ethical and moral aspects. In animal,evaluation of wellness is a great tackle and has a complex entity. Pain and stress are closely associated with poor animalwelfare and animal suffering should be removed in order to achieve wellness. Today, good welfare in animal is definedas the absence of stress, thus most of the welfare studies focused on it. The aim of study was to investigate the effect ofdexketoprofen trometamol (DEXT) on stress and oxidative stress in cattle undergoing claw trimming.Materials, Methods & Results: This study was conducted on 14 female dairy cows aged 3 - 6 old years with mean bodyweight of 475 kg (7 Simmental, 5 Holstein Friesian and 2 Montafon). Each cow was randomly allocated into two groups.DEXT group (n = 8) was administered intravenously DEXT at a dose of 2 mg/kg body weight 30 min before claw trimming.Control group (n = 6) was administered physiological saline at the same dose 30 min before procedure was carried out.Trimming was performed using a mobile walk-in crush where the head of cow was restrained by a stanchion and the bodysupported thoracic and thigh belts in all procedures. The heart rate was measured by auscultation and respiratory rate bycounting thoracic excursions before and after claw trimming. Blood samples were collected by jugular venepuncture intoglass tube with gel, at 30 min before claw trimming and 15 and 30 min after trimming for measuring serum cortisol, nitricoxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant activity (AOA). Serum cortisol concentrations were determinedby ELISA with used commercial bovine ELISA kit. In both groups no difference was observed in heart rate however therespiratory rate at 15 and 30 min was significantly different (P < 0.05). The heart rate was increased at 15 min after clawtrimming...

Effects of dexketoprofen trometamol on stress and oxidative stress in cattle undergoing claw trimming

Background: Animal welfare raised a great deal of attention and associated with ethical and moral aspects. In animal,evaluation of wellness is a great tackle and has a complex entity. Pain and stress are closely associated with poor animalwelfare and animal suffering should be removed in order to achieve wellness. Today, good welfare in animal is definedas the absence of stress, thus most of the welfare studies focused on it. The aim of study was to investigate the effect ofdexketoprofen trometamol (DEXT) on stress and oxidative stress in cattle undergoing claw trimming.Materials, Methods & Results: This study was conducted on 14 female dairy cows aged 3 - 6 old years with mean bodyweight of 475 kg (7 Simmental, 5 Holstein Friesian and 2 Montafon). Each cow was randomly allocated into two groups.DEXT group (n = 8) was administered intravenously DEXT at a dose of 2 mg/kg body weight 30 min before claw trimming.Control group (n = 6) was administered physiological saline at the same dose 30 min before procedure was carried out.Trimming was performed using a mobile walk-in crush where the head of cow was restrained by a stanchion and the bodysupported thoracic and thigh belts in all procedures. The heart rate was measured by auscultation and respiratory rate bycounting thoracic excursions before and after claw trimming. Blood samples were collected by jugular venepuncture intoglass tube with gel, at 30 min before claw trimming and 15 and 30 min after trimming for measuring serum cortisol, nitricoxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant activity (AOA). Serum cortisol concentrations were determinedby ELISA with used commercial bovine ELISA kit. In both groups no difference was observed in heart rate however therespiratory rate at 15 and 30 min was significantly different (P < 0.05). The heart rate was increased at 15 min after clawtrimming...(AU)

Comparison of the depth of anesthesia produced with dexmedetomidine-sevoflurane or medetomidine-sevoflurane by using bispectral index monitoring

Background: Bispectral index (BIS) monitor was developed to utilize the depth of anesthesia by estimating electroencephalogram (EEG) signals. BIS, which is the numerical value of EEG derivative, is used for evaluation of depression of central nervous system (CNS) in human medicine. The depressive effect of sedative and anaesthetic agents on CNS in human is correlated to BIS. Dexmedetomidine (DEX) is administered as continuous infusion during anesthesia and surgery in humans. DEX is a hypnotic with high selectivity for 2-adrenergic receptors.Materials, Methods & Results: Adult female New Zealand rabbits (mean ± SD body weight 3.8 ± 0.5 kg) were procured from a certified commercial source to use in medical researches. The animal number in each of the two study groups was four, for a total of eight. The rabbits were randomly divided into two equal groups (n = 4). The rabbits DEX group were administered 20 mcg/kg of iv. DEX HCI for premedication. Medetomidine (MED) group was administered 20 mcg/ kg of iv MED for premedication. Induction was provided by 5% of sevoflurane + 4 L/min oxygen via glove mask in the both groups. General anesthesia was maintained with 3% of sevoflurane + oxygen on spontaneous respiration for 30 min. The animals temporomandibular region was shaved; its fat was eliminated with ether before the study. Human sensors were used as BIS sensor consisted of...(AU)

Comparison of bispectral index and vital parameters in rabbits receiving propofol or isoflurane anesthesia / Comparison of bispectral index and vital parameters in rabbits receiving propofol or isoflurane anesthesia

Background: Reflexes, muscle tonus, heart rate, respiratory frequency and blood pressure are parameters that can be used to evaluate the depth of anesthesia. Bispectral index (BIS) was developed with the objective of evaluating quantitatively the sedative and hypnotic effects of anesthetic drugs. It is widely used to assess central nervous system depression levels. The objective of this study was to compare changes in BIS and several vital parameters during general anesthesia achieved with either propofol or isoflurane, following premedication with dexmedetomidine. Materials, Methods & Results: Adult female New Zealand rabbits (Mean ± SD body weight 3.6 ± 0.4 kg) were procured from a commercial source certified for medical experimentation. The animal number in each of the two study groups was four, for a total of eight. The animals were checked before the study to ascertain their good health. The animals, randomly allocated to either of two study groups, were given dexmedetomidine, 20 µg/kg i.v. Induction was realized by means of propofol, 8 mg/kg i.v. in the propofol group (n = 4), and by administration through a glove mask of isoflurane, 4%, in the isoflurane group (n = 4). Anesthesia maintenance was assured by propofol, 0.6 mg/kg/min or 2% isoflurane with oxygen, respectively. Both anesthetic applications were well tolerated by the rabbits. Before premedication (T0), at

Background: Reflexes, muscle tonus, heart rate, respiratory frequency and blood pressure are parameters that can be used to evaluate the depth of anesthesia. Bispectral index (BIS) was developed with the objective of evaluating quantitatively the sedative and hypnotic effects of anesthetic drugs. It is widely used to assess central nervous system depression levels. The objective of this study was to compare changes in BIS and several vital parameters during general anesthesia achieved with either propofol or isoflurane, following premedication with dexmedetomidine. Materials, Methods & Results: Adult female New Zealand rabbits (Mean ± SD body weight 3.6 ± 0.4 kg) were procured from a commercial source certified for medical experimentation. The animal number in each of the two study groups was four, for a total of eight. The animals were checked before the study to ascertain their good health. The animals, randomly allocated to either of two study groups, were given dexmedetomidine, 20 µg/kg i.v. Induction was realized by means of propofol, 8 mg/kg i.v. in the propofol group (n = 4), and by administration through a glove mask of isoflurane, 4%, in the isoflurane group (n = 4). Anesthesia maintenance was assured by propofol, 0.6 mg/kg/min or 2% isoflurane with oxygen, respectively. Both anesthetic applications were well tolerated by the rabbits. Before premedication (T0), at

Comparison of the effects of epidurally administered bupivacaine and levobupivacaine in conscious dogs / Comparison of the effects of epidurally administered bupivacaine and levobupivacaine in conscious dogs

Background: The epidural administration of local anaesthetic agents was advocated for use in any surgical procedure caudal to the diaphragm in dogs but was superior for procedures involving the pelvis, hind limbs, and perineal area. The aim of this study was to determine anaesthetic profiles of bupivacaine (BP) and levobupivacaine (LP) in epidural anaesthesia (EA) and to compare their effects on hemodynamics, blood gases, hematological and biochemical parameters in conscious dogs. Materials, Methods & Results: In this study, a total of 20 adult male dogs from different breeds referred to our clinics for castration purposes were used and allocated into two groups; 10 dogs in BP and 10 dogs in LP groups. In this study, each animal received a 0.5% of either BP or LP epidurally, (a fixed total volume of 0.2 mL/kg) followed by 0.3 mL saline solution to flush the dead space in the valve and catheter. Throughout the epidural anaesthesia, heart rate, respiratory rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial blood pressure, and body temperature were monitored. Similarly, during the study, haematological measurements at 0th, 2nd, 4th, 6th, and 8th h and biochemical measurements at 0th, 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th and 24th h in blood samples were examined. Simultaneously, blood gases, and Na+ and K+ levels in arterial blood samples were measured at 0th, 30th, 60th, 120th and 240th

Background: The epidural administration of local anaesthetic agents was advocated for use in any surgical procedure caudal to the diaphragm in dogs but was superior for procedures involving the pelvis, hind limbs, and perineal area. The aim of this study was to determine anaesthetic profiles of bupivacaine (BP) and levobupivacaine (LP) in epidural anaesthesia (EA) and to compare their effects on hemodynamics, blood gases, hematological and biochemical parameters in conscious dogs. Materials, Methods & Results: In this study, a total of 20 adult male dogs from different breeds referred to our clinics for castration purposes were used and allocated into two groups; 10 dogs in BP and 10 dogs in LP groups. In this study, each animal received a 0.5% of either BP or LP epidurally, (a fixed total volume of 0.2 mL/kg) followed by 0.3 mL saline solution to flush the dead space in the valve and catheter. Throughout the epidural anaesthesia, heart rate, respiratory rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial blood pressure, and body temperature were monitored. Similarly, during the study, haematological measurements at 0th, 2nd, 4th, 6th, and 8th h and biochemical measurements at 0th, 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th and 24th h in blood samples were examined. Simultaneously, blood gases, and Na+ and K+ levels in arterial blood samples were measured at 0th, 30th, 60th, 120th and 240th

Comparison of bispectral index and vital parameters in rabbits receiving propofol or isoflurane anesthesia

Background: Reflexes, muscle tonus, heart rate, respiratory frequency and blood pressure are parameters that can be used to evaluate the depth of anesthesia. Bispectral index (BIS) was developed with the objective of evaluating quantitatively the sedative and hypnotic effects of anesthetic drugs. It is widely used to assess central nervous system depression levels. The objective of this study was to compare changes in BIS and several vital parameters during general anesthesia achieved with either propofol or isoflurane, following premedication with dexmedetomidine. Materials, Methods & Results: Adult female New Zealand rabbits (Mean ± SD body weight 3.6 ± 0.4 kg) were procured from a commercial source certified for medical experimentation. The animal number in each of the two study groups was four, for a total of eight. The animals were checked before the study to ascertain their good health. The animals, randomly allocated to either of two study groups, were given dexmedetomidine, 20 µg/kg i.v. Induction was realized by means of propofol, 8 mg/kg i.v. in the propofol group (n = 4), and by administration through a glove mask of isoflurane, 4%, in the isoflurane group (n = 4). Anesthesia maintenance was assured by propofol, 0.6 mg/kg/min or 2% isoflurane with oxygen, respectively. Both anesthetic applications were well tolerated by the rabbits. Before premedication (T0), at the time points of 1 (T1) and 5 min (T2) after dexmedetomidine injection, 1 min into anesthesia induction (T3), and 10 (T4), 30 (T5) and 60 min (T6) after start of maintenance, the following were recorded: BIS, systolic, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressure, heart rate and Anesthesia Score (AS). Blood gas analysis, serum sodium and potassium, blood glucose level, hemoglobin and hematocrit were measured at time points T0 and T6. MAP dropped significantly lower in the propofolgroup at times T2, T3 and T4 (P < 0.05). Under BIS monitoring, BIS values were also found to be relatively lower in the propofol group at times T1, T2 and T4, corresponding in this to AS. At T4, the BIS values were, respectively, 69.5 ± 6.24 and 68.25 ± 3.59 in the isoflurane and propofol groups (P < 0.05). In summary, premedication with dexmedetomidine did not, differently than with humans, assure deep sedation; BIS values, in parallel with our AS evaluation, reached levels of deep anesthesia in the maintenance stage both in the propofol and isoflurane groups. BGA results in arterial blood (pH, PaO2, PaCO2, BE, HCO3) as well as hematocrit (Hct), Na+, K+, glucose, hemoglobin (Hb) were recorded and reported in Table 2. A significant increase in pH was noted at T6 (P < 0.05) in the propofol groups compared to animals given isoflurane (7.39 ± 0.01 vs 7.35 ± 0.003, respectively), all measurements remaining within the normal values. Discussion: Vital parameters showed parallelism with the values of both our AS and BIS in this study, in which we administered general anesthesia with either propofol or isoflurane to rabbits premedicated with dexmedetomidine. Publications on humans show that surgical anesthesia is realized at BIS values under 60; BIS fell in rabbits in parallel to MBP at 10, 30 and 60 min of anesthesia, and AS also showed that the depth of anesthesia was adequate. No surgery having been performed in this study, we think that the parameters noted in this paper should be investigated in future studies that include surgery.

Comparison of the effects of epidurally administered bupivacaine and levobupivacaine in conscious dogs

Background: The epidural administration of local anaesthetic agents was advocated for use in any surgical procedure caudal to the diaphragm in dogs but was superior for procedures involving the pelvis, hind limbs, and perineal area. The aim of this study was to determine anaesthetic profiles of bupivacaine (BP) and levobupivacaine (LP) in epidural anaesthesia (EA) and to compare their effects on hemodynamics, blood gases, hematological and biochemical parameters in conscious dogs. Materials, Methods & Results: In this study, a total of 20 adult male dogs from different breeds referred to our clinics for castration purposes were used and allocated into two groups; 10 dogs in BP and 10 dogs in LP groups. In this study, each animal received a 0.5% of either BP or LP epidurally, (a fixed total volume of 0.2 mL/kg) followed by 0.3 mL saline solution to flush the dead space in the valve and catheter. Throughout the epidural anaesthesia, heart rate, respiratory rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial blood pressure, and body temperature were monitored. Similarly, during the study, haematological measurements at 0th, 2nd, 4th, 6th, and 8th h and biochemical measurements at 0th, 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th and 24th h in blood samples were examined. Simultaneously, blood gases, and Na+ and K+ levels in arterial blood samples were measured at 0th, 30th, 60th, 120th and 240th min. Nocifensive and motor block status were qualitatively assessed at regular intervals: baseline, 5, 10, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, 105, 120 min and every 30 min thereafter. Duration of the analgesia was 124.9 ± 28.6 min in the BP group and 77.5 ± 16.8 min in the LP group (P < 0.05). Motor block duration was determined as 248.2 ± 44.2 min for the BP group and 185.9 ± 38.08 min for the LP group (P > 0.05). Motor and sensory block time was longer in the BP group than in the LP group, and similarly, BP generated sensory and motor block in a shorter period of time. While complete motor block was not observed in two animals in the LP group, complete motor block was seen in all the animals in the BP group. Motor block level was determined as 2.8 ± 0.4 in the LP group and 3 ± 00 in the BP group. There were no statistically significant differences between the levels of motor block. In both groups, decreased heart rate and arterial blood pressure were seen following EA. This decline was higher in the BP group. After epidural anaesthesia, slight decline in respiratory rate and body temperature were observed in both groups. There were no significant differences between the groups regarding cardiopulmonary data. Within each group, statistically significant changes in respiratory rates, body temperatures and blood pressures with regards to times were observed in both groups (P < 0.05). Discussion: Similar to the data in the literature, the duration of analgesia and motor block were longer with BP than with LP, and both agents showed close initiation analgesia and motor blockade. The reason for longer motor block by BP may be attributed to its higher lipophilic nature and penetration ability to the myeliniated motor fibrils. In present study, arterial blood pressure dropped, and this was higher in the BP group than in the LP group. These drops were attributed to the ability of sympathetic blockade of BP and LP.

Comparison of the effects of epidurally administered bupivacaine and levobupivacaine in conscious dogs / Comparison of the effects of epidurally administered bupivacaine and levobupivacaine in conscious dogs

Background: The epidural administration of local anaesthetic agents was advocated for use in any surgical procedure caudal to the diaphragm in dogs but was superior for procedures involving the pelvis, hind limbs, and perineal area. The aim of this study was to determine anaesthetic profiles of bupivacaine (BP) and levobupivacaine (LP) in epidural anaesthesia (EA) and to compare their effects on hemodynamics, blood gases, hematological and biochemical parameters in conscious dogs. Materials, Methods & Results: In this study, a total of 20 adult male dogs from different breeds referred to our clinics for castration purposes were used and allocated into two groups; 10 dogs in BP and 10 dogs in LP groups. In this study, each animal received a 0.5% of either BP or LP epidurally, (a fixed total volume of 0.2 mL/kg) followed by 0.3 mL saline solution to flush the dead space in the valve and catheter. Throughout the epidural anaesthesia, heart rate, respiratory rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial blood pressure, and body temperature were monitored. Similarly, during the study, haematological measurements at 0th, 2nd, 4th, 6th, and 8th h and biochemical measurements at 0th, 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th and 24th h in blood samples were examined. Simultaneously, blood gases, and Na+ and K+ levels in arterial blood samples were measured at 0th, 30th, 60th, 120th and 240th

Background: The epidural administration of local anaesthetic agents was advocated for use in any surgical procedure caudal to the diaphragm in dogs but was superior for procedures involving the pelvis, hind limbs, and perineal area. The aim of this study was to determine anaesthetic profiles of bupivacaine (BP) and levobupivacaine (LP) in epidural anaesthesia (EA) and to compare their effects on hemodynamics, blood gases, hematological and biochemical parameters in conscious dogs. Materials, Methods & Results: In this study, a total of 20 adult male dogs from different breeds referred to our clinics for castration purposes were used and allocated into two groups; 10 dogs in BP and 10 dogs in LP groups. In this study, each animal received a 0.5% of either BP or LP epidurally, (a fixed total volume of 0.2 mL/kg) followed by 0.3 mL saline solution to flush the dead space in the valve and catheter. Throughout the epidural anaesthesia, heart rate, respiratory rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial blood pressure, and body temperature were monitored. Similarly, during the study, haematological measurements at 0th, 2nd, 4th, 6th, and 8th h and biochemical measurements at 0th, 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th and 24th h in blood samples were examined. Simultaneously, blood gases, and Na+ and K+ levels in arterial blood samples were measured at 0th, 30th, 60th, 120th and 240th

Comparison of bispectral index and vital parameters in rabbits receiving propofol or isoflurane anesthesia / Comparison of bispectral index and vital parameters in rabbits receiving propofol or isoflurane anesthesia

Background: Reflexes, muscle tonus, heart rate, respiratory frequency and blood pressure are parameters that can be used to evaluate the depth of anesthesia. Bispectral index (BIS) was developed with the objective of evaluating quantitatively the sedative and hypnotic effects of anesthetic drugs. It is widely used to assess central nervous system depression levels. The objective of this study was to compare changes in BIS and several vital parameters during general anesthesia achieved with either propofol or isoflurane, following premedication with dexmedetomidine. Materials, Methods & Results: Adult female New Zealand rabbits (Mean ± SD body weight 3.6 ± 0.4 kg) were procured from a commercial source certified for medical experimentation. The animal number in each of the two study groups was four, for a total of eight. The animals were checked before the study to ascertain their good health. The animals, randomly allocated to either of two study groups, were given dexmedetomidine, 20 µg/kg i.v. Induction was realized by means of propofol, 8 mg/kg i.v. in the propofol group (n = 4), and by administration through a glove mask of isoflurane, 4%, in the isoflurane group (n = 4). Anesthesia maintenance was assured by propofol, 0.6 mg/kg/min or 2% isoflurane with oxygen, respectively. Both anesthetic applications were well tolerated by the rabbits. Before premedication (T0), at

Background: Reflexes, muscle tonus, heart rate, respiratory frequency and blood pressure are parameters that can be used to evaluate the depth of anesthesia. Bispectral index (BIS) was developed with the objective of evaluating quantitatively the sedative and hypnotic effects of anesthetic drugs. It is widely used to assess central nervous system depression levels. The objective of this study was to compare changes in BIS and several vital parameters during general anesthesia achieved with either propofol or isoflurane, following premedication with dexmedetomidine. Materials, Methods & Results: Adult female New Zealand rabbits (Mean ± SD body weight 3.6 ± 0.4 kg) were procured from a commercial source certified for medical experimentation. The animal number in each of the two study groups was four, for a total of eight. The animals were checked before the study to ascertain their good health. The animals, randomly allocated to either of two study groups, were given dexmedetomidine, 20 µg/kg i.v. Induction was realized by means of propofol, 8 mg/kg i.v. in the propofol group (n = 4), and by administration through a glove mask of isoflurane, 4%, in the isoflurane group (n = 4). Anesthesia maintenance was assured by propofol, 0.6 mg/kg/min or 2% isoflurane with oxygen, respectively. Both anesthetic applications were well tolerated by the rabbits. Before premedication (T0), at