Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 5, 2026
Model of Ischemia and Reperfusion Injury in Rabbits
Published on: November 3, 2023
[Blood gas analysis in rabbits during a completely antagonizable anesthesia with special focus on oxygen management]
Tina Brezina1, Michael Fehr1, Milena Thöle1,2
1Klinik für Heimtiere, Reptilien, Zier- und Wildvögel, Stiftung Tierärztliche Hochschule Hannover.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the consequences of different oxygen supplementation methods on arterial blood gas analysis during an injectable anesthesia.
Material And Methods:
A total of 29 rabbits with dental diseases (tooth elongation) were sampled before, during and after coronal reduction. Oxygen was provided either via the flow-by method or with a nasal oxygen tube; the control group breathed room air.
Results:
All patients receiving oxygen developed respiratory acidosis that intensified during the course of anesthesia. Furthermore, these groups experienced reduced respiratory rates intraoperatively, nevertheless they showed elevated oxygen parameters (hyperoxemia) in the arterial blood gas analysis. No significant differences could be demonstrated between the 2 oxygen providing methods. In the control group, pH remained stable, the oxygen parameters however decreased to less than 80 mmHg (hypoxemia).
Conclusions:
Although there were no clinical consequences of hypoxemia or hyperoxemia, moderate oxygen support during an injectable anesthesia is recommended due to the development of hypoxemia. A balance between oxygen supply and oversupply needs to be established to aid in avoiding oxygen toxicity.
