The Atipamezole Plays a Great Role in the Quick Recovery of the Male Rabbit Anesthetized for Neutering

Authors

Shahida Akter

Dept. of Surgery and Theriogenology, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet 3100, (Bangladesh)

Siam Hossain Limon

Dept. of Surgery and Theriogenology, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet 3100, (Bangladesh)

Md. Sofier Rahman

Dept. of Surgery and Theriogenology, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet 3100, (Bangladesh)

Abadul Haque

Dept. of Surgery and Theriogenology, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet 3100, (Bangladesh)

Chhanda Rani Das

Dept. of Surgery and Theriogenology, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet 3100, (Bangladesh)

Md. Monirul Islam

Dept. of Surgery and Theriogenology, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet 3100, (Bangladesh)

Bashudeb Paul

Dept. of Anatomy and Histology, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet 3100 (Bangladesh)

Shipra Roy

Dept. of Microbiology and Immunology, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet 3100 (Bangladesh)

Animesh Chandra Roy

Dept. of Surgery and Theriogenology, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet 3100, (Bangladesh)

Article Information

DOI: 10.51584/IJRIAS.2026.11050139

Subject Category: Animal Science

Volume/Issue: 11/5 | Page No: 1648-1665

Publication Timeline

Submitted: 2026-05-20

Accepted: 2026-05-29

Published: 2026-06-06

Abstract

Delay in recovery from general anesthesia is always hazardous to life. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the effect of atipamezole in the recovery of rabbits anesthetized with xylazine-ketamine undergoing neutering. Ten male rabbits were randomly assigned to two groups (n = 5 per group), where group XK was treated with xylazine (5 mg/kg bwt) and ketamine (30 mg/kg bwt) intramuscularly without atipamezole, and group XKA was treated with xylazine (5 mg/kg bwt), ketamine (30 mg/kg bwt), and atipamezole (0.5mg/kg bwt) intramuscularly. Atipamezole was administered intramuscularly 30 minutes post-injection of the anesthetic combination. Physiological parameters, induction time, duration of anesthesia, recovery time, hematological, and biochemical parameters were measured. In group XKA, heart rate, temperature, and respiration that decreased during anesthesia, reached almost normalcy during recovery, rather than group XK. Significant differences in induction, duration of anesthesia, and recovery periods were observed between the two groups. Group XKA showed a short recovery time compared to Group XK. The duration of anesthesia was longer in group XK in comparison to group XKA. The recovery period was short in group XKA due to the atipamezole. There was no effect of atipamezole on healing. There were no significant differences in hematological parameters between the two groups. Taken all together, we conclude that the atipamezole has a great role in the reduction of recovery time of the rabbit with xylazine-ketamine induced anesthesia without significant adverse effects in clinical and blood parameters during neutering.

Keywords

Recovery, Atipamezole, Xylazine-ketamine

Downloads

References

1. Afaf, H., Fatma, A., Abdalrheem, A., Abdulwahhab, A., & Salah, A.A. (2024). Immediate Effects of anesthesia agents on liver function. Alq J Med App Sci, 26, 88-93. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

2. Ali, A.F. (2013). Evaluation of midazolam and ketamine preceding by xylazine as general anesthesia in rabbits. Iraqi J Vet Med, 37(2), 144-148. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

3. Bruniges, N., & Yates, D. (2020). Effects of atipamezole dosage and timing of administration on recovery time and quality in cats following injectable anaesthesia incorporating ketamine. J Feline Med Surg, 22(6), 589-597. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

4. Burdine, J.M. (2002). Complication rates of scalene regional anesthesia. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 84(10), 1891-1893. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

5. Coulter, C.A., Flecknell, P.A., Leach, M.C., & Richardson, C.A. (2011). Reported analgesic administration to rabbits undergoing experimental surgical procedures. BMC Vet Res, 21(7),12. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

6. Cusack, B,, & Buggy, D.J. (2020). Anaesthesia, analgesia, and the surgical stress response. BJA Educ, 20(9), 321-328. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

7. Flecknell, P. (2023). Laboratory Animal Anaesthesia: Anesthesia and Analgesia in Laboratory Animals. Academic Press: Amsterdam, Netherlands. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

8. Gadelrab, M., El-Sherif, M., Atiya, M., Senosy, W., S Salem, M., & Abdelkawi, M. (2025). Physiological effects of a pre-anesthetic single dose of gabapentin on Xylazine/Ketamine anesthesia in rabbits. BMC Vet Res, 21(1), 703. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

9. Giovannitti Jr, J.A., Thoms, S.M., & Crawford, J.J. (2015). Alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonists: a review of current clinical applications. Anesth Prog, 62(1), 31-9. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

10. Green, C.J. (1981). Anaesthetic gases and health risks to laboratory personnel: a review. Lab Anim, 15(4), 397-403. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

11. Grover, G.J., & Loegering, D.J. (1982). Effect of splenic sequestration of erythrocytes on splenic clearance function and susceptibility to septic peritonitis. Infect Immun, 36(1), 96-102. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

12. Hassan, M.A., Abdalla, M.A., Saber, M.S., Waleed, A., Nassif, M.W., & Elsherif M. (2024). Evaluation of xylazine ketamine anesthesia in rabbits undergoing tendon surgery: A prospective randomized controlled study. NVVJ, 4(1), 2786-0272. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

13. Hedenqvist, P., Edner, A., Fahlman, Å., & Jensen-Waern M. (2013). Continuous intravenous anaesthesia with sufentanil and midazolam in medetomidine premedicated New Zealand white rabbits. BMC Vet Res, 28(9), 21. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

14. Irwin, M.R., Curay, C.M., Choi, S., & Kiyatkin, E.A. (2023). Basic physiological effects of ketamine-xylazine mixture as a general anesthetic preparation for rodent surgeries. Brain Res, 1804, 148251. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

15. Ivascu, R., Torsin, L.I., Hostiuc, L., Nitipir, C., Corneci, D., & Dutu, M. (2024). The surgical stress response and anesthesia: A narrative review. J Clin Med, 13(10), 3017. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

16. Karin, S., & Kalchofner, S.K. (2006). Clinical assessment of anesthesia with isoflurane and medetomidine in 300 equidae. Pferdeheilkunde, 22(3), 301-308. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

17. Khokhlova, O.N., Borozdina, N.A. Sadovnikova, E.S., Pakhomova, I.A., Rudenko, P.A., Korolkova, Y.V., Kozlov, S.A., & Dyachenko, I.A. (2022). Comparative study of the aftereffect of CO2 inhalation or tiletamine–zolazepam–xylazine anesthesia on laboratory outbred rats and mice. Biomedicines, 10(2), 512. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

18. Kim, M.S., Jeong, S.M., Park, J.H., Nam, T.C., & Seo, K.M. (2004). Reversal of medetomidine-ketamine combination anesthesia in rabbits by atipamezole. Exp Anim, 53(5), 423-8. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

19. Madirazza, K., Pecotic, R., Pavlinac, D.I., Valic, M., & Dogas, Z. (2022). Blockade of alpha2-adrenergic receptors in the caudal raphe region enhances the renal sympathetic nerve activity response to acute intermittent hypercapnia in rats. Physiol Res, 71(1), 159-169. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

20. Meyer, G.E. (2017). Captive management of wild impala (Aepyceros Melampus) during intensive immobilization and general anesthesia study trials. J Zoo Wildl Med, 48(4), 1058-1071. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

21. Mohammed, A.A., Abdelnabi, M., & Modliński, J.A. (2012). Evaluation of anesthesia and reproductive performance upon diazepam and xylazine injection in rats. Anim. Sci. Pap. Rep, 30(3), 285-292. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

22. Nishiyama, T. (2014). Serum testosterone levels after medical or surgical androgen deprivation: a comprehensive review of the literature. Urol Oncol, 32(1), 38.e17-28. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

23. Oglesbee, B.L., & Lord B. (2020). Gastrointestinal Diseases of Rabbits. Ferrets, Rabbits, and Rodents, 29, 174–187. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

24. Oh, S.K., Lim, B.G., Kim, Y.S., & Kim, S.S. (2020). Comparison of the postoperative liver function between total intravenous anesthesia and inhalation anesthesia in patients with preoperatively elevated liver transaminase levels: A retrospective Cohort study. Ther Clin Risk Manag, 16, 223-232. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

25. Pennasilico, L., Serino, F., Galosi, M., Piccionello, A.P., Angorini, A., Dini, F., & Bella, C.D. (2025). Anesthetic effects of a mixture of xylazine, ketamine, and buprenorphine in laboratory rats subjected to short surgical procedures. Open Vet J, 15(3), 1370-1378. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

26. Pieper, E.G., Carter, J.E., Firestone, S.M., & Baron, H.R. (2025). A review of perioperative mortality in pet rabbits in Australia. Aust Vet J, 103(1-2), 3-12. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

27. Raillard, M., Detotto, C., Grepper, S., Beslac, O., Fujioka-Kobayashi, M., Schaller, B., & Saulacic, N. (2019). Anaesthetic and Perioperative Management of 14 Male New Zealand White Rabbits for Calvarial Bone Surgery. Animals, 9(11), 896. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

28. Rayner, E.L., Kumar, A., Airikkala-Otter, I., Sequeira, S., Mellanby, R., Gibson, A.D., Gamble, L., & Mazeri, S. (2025). Evaluation of the longer-term impacts on working practices of veterinarians in India after attending a canine surgical neutering training programme. Anim Welf, 34, e32. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

29. Saran, S., Kharat, A., Reddy, G.H.V., Madhavan, B., Bhattacharjee, A., Thomas, M.P. (2025). Anaesthesia challenges in patients with chronic kidney disease: A clinical approach from internal medicine. Cureus, 17(9), e91694. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

30. Sinclair, M.D. (2003). A review of the physiological effects of alpha2-agonists related to the clinical use of medetomidine in small animal practice. Can Vet J, 44(11), 885-97. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

31. Talke, P.O., Traber, D.L. Richardson, C.A., Harper, D.D., & Traber, L.D. (2000). The effect of alpha (2) agonist-induced sedation and its reversal with an alpha (2) antagonist on organ blood flow in sheep. Anesth Analg, 90(5), 1060-6. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

32. Vähä‐Vahe, A.T. (1990). The clinical effectiveness of atipamezole as a medetomidine antagonist in the dog. J Vet Pharmacol Ther, 13(2), 198-205. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

33. Virtanen, R., Savola, J.M., Saano, V., & Nyman, L. (1988). Characterization of the selectivity, specificity and potency of medetomidine as an alpha 2-adrenoceptor agonist. Eur J Pharmacol, 150(1-2), 9-14. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

34. Walther, L.M., Gideon, A., Sauter, C., Leist, M., & Wirtz, P.H. (2024). Peripheral blood leukocyte subpopulation changes in reaction to an acute psychosocial stressor as compared to an active placebo-stressor in healthy young males: mediating effects of major stress-reactive endocrine parameters. Cells, 13(23), 1941. [Google Scholar] [Crossref]

Metrics

Views & Downloads

Similar Articles