Chapter 5 – Anaesthesia of Common Laboratory Species: Special Considerations

The final factor after considering the various aspects of the anaesthetic process is to consider the species of animal involved. Factors such as age, sex, and environment can influence individual responses to anaesthetic agents. The responses vary from species to species. For this reason, dose rates and anaesthetic regimens often need adjusting to suit the particular animals being used in a research facility. This chapter provides a comprehensive listing of anaesthetic drug dose rates for common laboratory species. Careful consideration of these individual and species-specific factors, together with the general principles of anaesthesia and peri-operative care, will help deliver anaesthetics that meet the scientific needs of specific projects, and ensure the maintenance of high standards of animal welfare. Laboratory animals are anaesthetized either to provide humane restraint while relatively atraumatic procedures are carried out, or to eliminate the perception of pain during surgical operations. Two main factors influence the selection of a method of anaesthesia – concern for the welfare of the animal and the constraints imposed by specific types of research. An anaesthetic technique should therefore cause a minimum of distress, provide an appropriate degree of analgesia, and result in an uneventful recovery. Alternative anaesthetic regimes are included since some research protocols preclude the use of drugs recommended and some drugs may not be readily available in certain laboratories.