Pattern of Bupivacaine-Xylazine Anaesthesia and Behavioural Alterations Following Open Castration in Rabbits
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Abstract
Castration is a routine Veterinary procedure requiring effective anaesthesia to ensure animal welfare and surgical success. Xylazine-bupivacaine is increasingly used in rabbit anaesthesia, yet its anaesthetic pattern and post-castration physiological and behavioural effects are poorly documented. This study evaluated the anaesthetic profile of xylazine-bupivacaine and associated changes following open castration in ten male Chinchilla rabbit bucks (Oryctolagus cuniculus) aged 8±2.0 months and weighing 1.4±0.2 kg, randomly assigned to castrated (n=5) and non-castrated control (n=5) groups. All animals received xylazine (5 mg/kg intramuscularly) five minutes before bupivacaine (5 mg/kg) scrotal infiltration. Anaesthesia onset, duration, and recovery were 8.0±1.1, 28.2±6.0, and 52.5±4.0 minutes in the castrated group, and 8.2±2.0, 20.3±2.0, and 58.8±11.0 minutes in the non-castrated group, respectively (p>0.05). Serum alanine aminotransferase rose transiently at 24 hours, declined below baseline at 48 hours, and returned to baseline by 72 hours. Creatinine decreased significantly in the castrated group at 72 hours (3.46±0.71 mg/dL; p<0.05). Vital parameters recovered to baseline within 24 hours following transient depression at 30 minutes. Significant reversible mydriasis was observed during anaesthesia (7.5±0.2 mm vs. 6.0±0.1 mm baseline; p<0.05). Mounting and thumping behaviours ceased by Day 30 and 40, respectively; vocalizing by Day 50, and cycling and grooming by Day 60 post-castration, consistent with androgen withdrawal. The xylazine-bupivacaine combination provides safe, short-duration anaesthesia adequate for rabbit castration, with transient and clinically manageable physiological effects and predictable behavioural outcomes.
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