Anesthetic Effects of Intramuscular Alfaxalone-Ketamine in Naked Mole Rats (Heterocephalus glaber).

Journal of the American Association for Laboratory Animal Science : JAALAS
Neta AmbarHugues Beaufrere

Abstract

In this study, adult intact male and female (n = 10) naked mole rats (Heterocephalus glaber) were anesthetized by using a combination of ketamine (20 mg/kg IM), and alfaxalone (4.0 mg/kg IM). Induction and recovery times were recorded. Vital parameters, including heart rate, respiratory rate, and reflexes, were monitored every 5 min during the anesthetic period. Anesthetic induction was smooth and rapid. Induction time was significantly longer in male rats (median, 325 s; range, 180 to 385 s) than in females (median, 145 s; range, 118 to 180 s). In addition, overall duration of loss of righting reflex was shorter in male mole rats (median, 50 min; range, 36 to 65 min) than females (median, 70 min; range, 60 to 85 min). Males largely had intact withdrawal reflexes, whereas females showed variable loss of both forelimb and hindlimb withdrawal reflexes. Neither recovery time (mean ± 1 SD, 16 ± 13 min) nor vital parameters differed between sexes. None of animals showed any anesthesia-related adverse responses. According to these findings, intramuscular AK is a safe and effective protocol that provides brief, light anesthesia in male naked mole rats and deeper anesthesia in females. We recommend adding analgesics when this AK protoc...Continue Reading

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