Urine production in the halothane anesthetized rabbit

Urine and blood parameters were studied in rabbits subjected to anesthesia and abdominal surgery. Conscious control animals both fasted and fed to which water was freely available were used for comparison. During anesthesia and operation one group of animals were given no intravenous fluid, other groups were infused with normal saline at a rate of 0.5 ml, 1 ml, or 2 ml per minute. The results demonstrated that an intravenous saline infusion of 0.5 ml per minute, maintains an essentially normal state of hydration and is beneficial to rabbits during anesthesia and surgery. However, with such an infusion, the rabbits do not produce urine under the experimental conditions. Higher rates of infusion are associated with a declining heart rate and blood pressure, abnormal urine, and metabolic acidosis. We conclude that the rabbit is an inappropraite species for renal studies involving anesthesia and surgery.