J Am Assoc Lab Anim
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J Am Assoc Lab Anim · Mar 2009
Successful management of rabbit anesthesia through the use of nasotracheal intubation.
Although nasotracheal intubation in the rabbit has been briefly described, scientific assessment of the procedure has not been reported. In this report we describe nasotracheal intubation performed in 38 male New Zealand White rabbits (3.0 to 5.5 kg) used for a vascular patch study. The rabbits were placed under general anesthesia twice, with 2 mo between the initial and final intubations. ⋯ Several key points collectively facilitated a successful procedure. Total relaxation was essential, modification of the classic blind approach eased placement, a correct approach was necessary, and our development of a unique method of securing the tube improved tube management. The findings suggest that nasotracheal intubation can be used as an easy, less traumatic method of rabbit intubation when compared with orotracheal intubation.