Anesthesia & Sedation

Comparison of isoflurane, sevoflurane, and desflurane as inhalant anesthetics in prairie rattlesnakes (Crotalus viridis)

OBJECTIVE: To characterize induction and recovery characteristics of 3 commonly used inhalant anesthetics in prairie rattlesnakes (Crotalus viridis): isoflurane, sevoflurane, and desflurane. ANIMALS: 12 healthy adult prairie rattlesnakes. PROCEDURES: In a randomized crossover design, snakes underwent anesthetic induction with 5%...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Anesthesia & SedationAnimal Type: Reptile, Snake

Citation: Kane, L. P., Chinnadurai, S. K., Vivirito, K. et al. 2020. Comparison of isoflurane, sevoflurane, and desflurane as inhalant anesthetics in prairie rattlesnakes (Crotalus viridis). Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 257(9), 945-949.

Effect of repeated exposure to isoflurane on nest building and burrowing in mice

Nest building and burrowing are highly motivated natural behaviors in rodents, and changes in these behaviors can serve as welfare assessment tools. In this study, we investigated: 1) the limits of agreement between 2 observers for a refined scoring method...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Anesthesia & Sedation, Welfare AssessmentAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Gjendal, K., Ottesen, J. L., Olsson, I. et al. 2020. Effect of repeated exposure to isoflurane on nest building and burrowing in mice. JAALAS 59(1), 30–36.

Evaluation of subcutaneous administration of alfaxalone-midazolam and dexmedetomidine-midazolam for sedation of ball pythons (Python regius)

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate SC administration of alfaxalone-midazolam and dexmedetomidine-midazolam for sedation of ball pythons (Python regius). ANIMALS: 12 healthy juvenile ball pythons. PROCEDURES: In a randomized crossover study, each snake was administered a combination of alfaxalone (5 mg/kg [2.3 mg/lb])...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Anesthesia & SedationAnimal Type: Reptile, Snake

Citation: Yaw, T. J., Mans, C., Johnson,S. et al. 2020. Evaluation of subcutaneous administration of alfaxalone-midazolam and dexmedetomidine-midazolam for sedation of ball pythons (Python regius). Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 256(5), 573-579.

Evaluation of subcutaneous administration of alfaxalone-midazolam and ketamine-midazolam as sedation protocols in African pygmy hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris)

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate SC administration of 2 sedation protocols, ketamine-midazolam (KM) and alfaxalone-midazolam (AM), in African pygmy hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris). ANIMALS: 9 healthy adult hedgehogs (5 males, 4 females). PROCEDURES: A randomized, blinded, complete crossover study was performed. Sedation was...

Year Published: 2020Topics: Anesthesia & SedationAnimal Type: Other Animal

Citation: Hawkins, S. J., Doss, G. A., Mans, C. 2020. Evaluation of subcutaneous administration of alfaxalone-midazolam and ketamine-midazolam as sedation protocols in African pygmy hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris). Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 257(8), 820-825.

Alfaxalone as a total intravenous anesthesia protocol in New Zealand white rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) improves cardiovascular stability compared to isoflurane

Alfaxalone has been studied for anesthetic induction of rabbits with rapid onset and a short duration of action; however, it has been minimally evaluated as an option for anesthetic maintenance. This study compared alfaxalone-based total intravenous anesthesia maintenance protocols against...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Anesthesia & SedationAnimal Type: Rabbit

Citation: Tsai, J. Y., Palomera, E. E., Kundo, J. P. et al. 2025. Alfaxalone as a total intravenous anesthesia protocol in New Zealand white rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) improves cardiovascular stability compared to isoflurane. JAALAS 64(5), 932–939.

Lizard anesthesia—A retrospective study of anesthetic protocol and monitoring quality of anesthetic episodes at a veterinary hospital over 23 years (2000–2023)

Objective This study’s aim was to summarize the anesthetic events of lizards seen at a university hospital, identify challenges with record-keeping, and assess anesthesia-related mortality. Methods From October 2000 through January 2023, medical records of lizards that underwent general anesthesia...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Anesthesia & SedationAnimal Type: Lizard, Reptile

Citation: Gise, B. T., Thorbrogger, C. J., Rasys, A. M. et al. 2025. Lizard anesthesia—A retrospective study of anesthetic protocol and monitoring quality of anesthetic episodes at a veterinary hospital over 23 years (2000–2023). Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 263(7), 904–913.

Optimization of ketamine/xylazine anesthesia in geriatric mice

Aged mice are becoming increasingly important models for human senescence. Many studies require anesthesia. Standard rodent ketamine/xylazine injectable regimens have been associated with increased incidences of death, unreliable surgical planes, and prolonged recoveries in geriatric mice. We hypothesized that the...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Anesthesia & SedationAnimal Type: Mouse, Rodent

Citation: Beecy, S., Meuse, D., Kizielewicz, N. et al. 2025. Optimization of ketamine/xylazine anesthesia in geriatric mice. JAALAS 64(4), 778–787.

Comparison of dexmedetomidine/morphine and xylazine/morphine as premedication in isoflurane-anesthetized sheep

In this study we investigated the sedative, anesthetic, and pulmonary histopathologic effects of dexmedetomidine/morphine (DM) and xylazine/morphine (XM) in sheep. We hypothesized that DM would provide profound sedation and better maintain physiologic parameters under anesthesia than XM in sheep undergoing...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Anesthesia & SedationAnimal Type: Sheep

Citation: Akaraphutiporn, E., Bunnag, P., Limprasutr, V. et al. 2025. Comparison of dexmedetomidine/morphine and xylazine/morphine as premedication in isoflurane-anesthetized sheep. JAALAS 64(4), 726–732.

Impact of sequential administration of detomidine, butorphanol, and midazolam on sedation, ataxia, stimulus response, and bispectral index in horses

Background Standing sedation is a safe and cost-effective alternative to general anesthesia in horses, but challenges include achieving adequate drug effect to block the stimulus response without inducing ataxia or recumbency. A benefit of midazolam has been reported in equine...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Anesthesia & SedationAnimal Type: Equine

Citation: Thorn, C. A., Wilson, D. V., Wang, S. et al. 2025. Impact of sequential administration of detomidine, butorphanol, and midazolam on sedation, ataxia, stimulus response, and bispectral index in horses. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 12.

Optimizing equine standing sedation: Continuous infusion of detomidine and butorphanol enhances stability but prolongs ataxia

ObjectiveThis study aimed to compare the sedation quality and cardiorespiratory and behavioral effects of detomidine administered intravenously, either in intermittent boluses or as a continuous rate infusion, with butorphanol in horses pre-medicated with acepromazine for odontoplasty procedures.MethodsA prospective clinical study...

Year Published: 2025Topics: Anesthesia & SedationAnimal Type: Equine

Citation: Arantes, J. de A., Rabelo, I. P., Bermudes, L. et al. 2025. Optimizing equine standing sedation: Continuous infusion of detomidine and butorphanol enhances stability but prolongs ataxia. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 12.