Comparison the Effect of Different Ratios of Ketamine and Propofol (Ketofol) Admixture on Anesthesia Induction in New Zealand White Rabbits

Abstract

This study was aimed to detect the effects of anesthesia induction with ketamine-propofol (ketofol) admixture in rabbits. Eight, healthy New Zealand white rabbits were randomly received ketofol admixture at the ratio of 1:1, 1:2, and 1:3 with one-week intervals. The length of surgical anesthesia was continuously evaluated until the presence of pedal withdrawal and ear-pinch reflexes. The recovery was assessed by the existence of the righting reflex. The heart rate and respiratory frequency values were recorded at pre-treatment, induction, and two minutes intervals until 20 minutes. There was no statistically significant difference between groups with respect to the ear-pinch reflex and pedal withdrawal reflex. The righting reflex returned earliest at the ratio of 1:1 (8.88 ± 0.63 minutes) which was significantly shorter than the ratio of 1:2 (10.50 ± 0.94 minutes) or 1:3 (13.62 ± 1.93 minutes). The animals receiving ketofol at the ratio of 1:3 had significantly lower respiratory frequency compared to 1:2 and 1:1 ratios at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 12 minutes. The ketofol admixture at the ratio of 1:1 has less respiratory depression effects, and higher doses of propofol in ketofol admixture can be associated with anesthetic complication.