Minimum alveolar concentrations (MAC) of halothane, enflurane, and isoflurane in ferrets

The minimum alveolar concentrations (MAC) of isoflurane, enflurane, and halothane were determined in adult male ferrets during controlled ventilation at normothermia (37 degrees C). Mean (+/- SD) MAC values for isoflurane (n = 8), enflurane (n = 8), and halothane (n = 8) at 37 degrees C were 1.52 +/- 0.10%, 1.99 +/- 0.18%, and 1.01 +/- 0.10%, respectively. Halothane MAC was reduced by 26% in the presence of 70% N2O. At 29.9 +/- 0.2 degrees C, the mean MAC value of halothane (0.85 +/- 0.11%) was 16% less than MAC at 37 degrees C. The relative potencies of the halogenated anesthetics are of the same order as those reported for large animals and for humans.