Anesthetic effects of a mixture of xylazine, ketamine, and buprenorphine in laboratory rats subjected to short surgical procedures

Background: Rodents are commonly used as models in experimental procedures, and researchers often need to perform rapid manipulations involving sedation and analgesia. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity of the combination of xylazine and ketamine in association with buprenorp...

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Main Authors: Luca Pennasilico, Federica Serino, Margherita Galosi, Angela Palumbo Piccionello, Alessio Angorini, Fabrizio Dini, Caterina Di Bella
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Tripoli University 2025-03-01
Series:Open Veterinary Journal
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Online Access:http://www.ejmanager.com/fulltextpdf.php?mno=234285
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author Luca Pennasilico
Federica Serino
Margherita Galosi
Angela Palumbo Piccionello
Alessio Angorini
Fabrizio Dini
Caterina Di Bella
author_facet Luca Pennasilico
Federica Serino
Margherita Galosi
Angela Palumbo Piccionello
Alessio Angorini
Fabrizio Dini
Caterina Di Bella
author_sort Luca Pennasilico
collection DOAJ
description Background: Rodents are commonly used as models in experimental procedures, and researchers often need to perform rapid manipulations involving sedation and analgesia. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity of the combination of xylazine and ketamine in association with buprenorphine in experimental rats undergoing short-term surgical procedures. Methods: Twenty-six male rats were enrolled in experiments. Thirty minutes before the start of the procedure, buprenorphine (0.05 mg/Kg) was administered subcutaneously. The sedative protocol included intraperitoneal (IP) administration of 70 mg/Kg ketamine and 10 mg/Kg xylazine. Additionally, at the end of the procedure, all rats received 0.1 mg/Kg of atipamezole IP. Immediately before sedation and at 5, 10, 15, and 20 minutes after atipamezole administration, the main cardiorespiratory parameters were recorded. In addition, induction time, depth of anesthesia, duration of the procedure, recovery time, and pain score were recorded. Results: The mean induction time was 2.29 ± 0.95 minutes. At the time of surgery, all subjects showed a deep anesthetic plane (score ≥ 3), and no response to skin incision was observed (score = 0). The time to recovery from the righting reflex after atipamezole administration was 3.66 ± 1.09 minutes. No rats showed signs of pain based on the rat Grimace scale. Conclusion: Our results suggested that the association of opioids with the xylazine/ketamine protocol ensures rapid induction and good analgesia during short procedures with mild/moderate painful stimulation. Furthermore, the administration of atipamezole facilitates rapid recovery and resumption of motor activity. [Open Vet J 2025; 15(3.000): 1370-1378]
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2218-6050
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publishDate 2025-03-01
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spelling doaj-art-99b3d0ba49134f5eb112fe1f06bfdfb12025-08-20T03:09:12ZengTripoli UniversityOpen Veterinary Journal2226-44852218-60502025-03-011531370137810.5455/OVJ.2025.v15.i3.28234285Anesthetic effects of a mixture of xylazine, ketamine, and buprenorphine in laboratory rats subjected to short surgical proceduresLuca Pennasilico0Federica Serino1Margherita Galosi2Angela Palumbo Piccionello3Alessio Angorini4Fabrizio Dini5Caterina Di Bella6School of Bioscience and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino School of Bioscience and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino School of Bioscience and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino School of Bioscience and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino School of Bioscience and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino School of Bioscience and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino School of Bioscience and Veterinary Medicine, University of CamerinoBackground: Rodents are commonly used as models in experimental procedures, and researchers often need to perform rapid manipulations involving sedation and analgesia. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity of the combination of xylazine and ketamine in association with buprenorphine in experimental rats undergoing short-term surgical procedures. Methods: Twenty-six male rats were enrolled in experiments. Thirty minutes before the start of the procedure, buprenorphine (0.05 mg/Kg) was administered subcutaneously. The sedative protocol included intraperitoneal (IP) administration of 70 mg/Kg ketamine and 10 mg/Kg xylazine. Additionally, at the end of the procedure, all rats received 0.1 mg/Kg of atipamezole IP. Immediately before sedation and at 5, 10, 15, and 20 minutes after atipamezole administration, the main cardiorespiratory parameters were recorded. In addition, induction time, depth of anesthesia, duration of the procedure, recovery time, and pain score were recorded. Results: The mean induction time was 2.29 ± 0.95 minutes. At the time of surgery, all subjects showed a deep anesthetic plane (score ≥ 3), and no response to skin incision was observed (score = 0). The time to recovery from the righting reflex after atipamezole administration was 3.66 ± 1.09 minutes. No rats showed signs of pain based on the rat Grimace scale. Conclusion: Our results suggested that the association of opioids with the xylazine/ketamine protocol ensures rapid induction and good analgesia during short procedures with mild/moderate painful stimulation. Furthermore, the administration of atipamezole facilitates rapid recovery and resumption of motor activity. [Open Vet J 2025; 15(3.000): 1370-1378]http://www.ejmanager.com/fulltextpdf.php?mno=234285ratsxylazine/ketaminebuprenorphineshort-term proceduresatipamezole
spellingShingle Luca Pennasilico
Federica Serino
Margherita Galosi
Angela Palumbo Piccionello
Alessio Angorini
Fabrizio Dini
Caterina Di Bella
Anesthetic effects of a mixture of xylazine, ketamine, and buprenorphine in laboratory rats subjected to short surgical procedures
Open Veterinary Journal
rats
xylazine/ketamine
buprenorphine
short-term procedures
atipamezole
title Anesthetic effects of a mixture of xylazine, ketamine, and buprenorphine in laboratory rats subjected to short surgical procedures
title_full Anesthetic effects of a mixture of xylazine, ketamine, and buprenorphine in laboratory rats subjected to short surgical procedures
title_fullStr Anesthetic effects of a mixture of xylazine, ketamine, and buprenorphine in laboratory rats subjected to short surgical procedures
title_full_unstemmed Anesthetic effects of a mixture of xylazine, ketamine, and buprenorphine in laboratory rats subjected to short surgical procedures
title_short Anesthetic effects of a mixture of xylazine, ketamine, and buprenorphine in laboratory rats subjected to short surgical procedures
title_sort anesthetic effects of a mixture of xylazine ketamine and buprenorphine in laboratory rats subjected to short surgical procedures
topic rats
xylazine/ketamine
buprenorphine
short-term procedures
atipamezole
url http://www.ejmanager.com/fulltextpdf.php?mno=234285
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