A rabbit model for implanting continuous drug infusion pumps.

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Surgery
• Pharmacology
• Medical Devices

Background:

• Implantable infusion pumps are crucial for laboratory research.
• Historically, dogs have been the primary animal model for such studies.
• Alternative animal models are needed for cost-effectiveness and specific research applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a surgical technique for implanting human-sized drug infusion pumps in rabbits.
• To establish a reproducible and safe method for long-term drug delivery in rabbits.
• To facilitate the use of rabbits as an alternative to dogs in infusion pump studies.

Main Methods:

• Surgical implantation of human-sized drug infusion pumps in rabbits via inferior vena cava cannulation.
• Catheter modification and special pump anchoring precautions were employed.
• 18 rabbits underwent the procedure with long-term monitoring.

Main Results:

• 100% survival rate in rabbits undergoing the surgical procedure.
• Constant and reliable solution delivery was achieved for up to and beyond 6 months.
• The technique proved to be safe and reproducible for laboratory use.

Conclusions:

• The described surgical technique enables the successful use of human-sized infusion pumps in rabbits.
• This method provides a safe, reproducible, and cost-effective alternative to using dogs in infusion pump research.
• The technique is particularly relevant for studies like atherosclerosis, where rabbits are a superior model.