_1770265130 20260205041850000 Rovedar Daryoushbabazadeh@gmail.com Rovedar Journal of Lab Animal Research J Lab Anim. Res 2980-9703 12 29 2025 4 6 Saroj Kumar Yadav https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6642-1719 Mushfika Tabassum https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8185-5796 Sunil Yadav https://orcid.org/0009-0006-9576-6632 Muhammad Ahaduzzaman https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0568-0506 Introduction: Spaying female rabbits may be necessary to control certain behaviors and prevent pregnancy. Since gaseous anesthesia is unavailable under field conditions, injectable anesthesia is required. The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of routine injectable intramuscular anesthetics, including ketamine and xylazine, during the spaying procedure in rabbits.Materials and methods: Five female short-haired rabbits, aged 20-24 months and weighing 1.5-1.7 kilograms, were presented to the Sahidul Alam Quadari teaching veterinary hospital in Chattogram, Bangladesh. Body temperature, heart rate, and respiratory rate were measured using a thermometer and a stethoscope. The spaying procedure was conducted using aseptic techniques, administering xylazine and ketamine in a single syringe of anesthesia at dosage rates of 5 mg/kg intramuscularly (IM) and 30 mg/kg IM, respectively, for the spaying procedure.Results: All vital parameters were within normal ranges. Injectable anesthetic xylazine at 5 mg/kg of body weight and ketamine at 30 mg/kg of body weight, administered IM, provided effective anesthesia during rabbit spaying without any complications on heart rate and respiration rate, as well as any complications during the surgery procedure. These doses were found to be optimal for field conditions.Conclusion: The present study indicated that successful rabbit spaying can be achieved with IM anesthesia using the recommended doses of ketamine (30 mg/kg) and xylazine (5 mg/kg). 12 29 2025 63 66 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0 10.58803/jlar.v4i6.85 https://jlar.rovedar.com/index.php/JLAR/article/view/85 https://jlar.rovedar.com/index.php/JLAR/article/download/85/123 https://jlar.rovedar.com/index.php/JLAR/article/download/85/123 Kırşan İ, Enginler SÖ, Toydemir TSF, Erzengin ÖM, Sönmez K, and Şennazlı G. Gynaecological complications following improper ovariohysterectomy in a dog. Int J Vet Sci. 2013; 2(4): 121-124. Available at: http://www.ijvets.com/pdf-files/Volume-2-no-4-2013/121-124.pdf Quesenberry K, and Carpenter JW, editors. Ferrets, rabbits and rodents. Clinical Medicine and surgery. 3rd ed. Saunders. 2011. Available at: https://www.google.com/books/edition/_/VvICUGYAWtUC?hl=en&gbpv=0 10.12968/coan.2019.24.4.217 10.2460/javma.251.3.322 Pohl VH, Carregaro AB, Lopes C, Gehrcke MI, Muller DCM, and Garlet CD. Epidural anesthesia and postoperatory analgesia with alpha-2 adrenergic agonists and lidocaine for ovariohysterectomy in bitches. Can J Vet Res. 2012; 76(3): 215-220. Available at: https://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/cvma/cjvr/2012/00000076/00000003/art00009 Bennett RA, and Pye GF, editors. Rabbit soft tissue surgery. Surgery of exotic animals. John Wiley and Sons Inc., 2022. p. 240-276. Available at: https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=4tRHEAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA240&ots=wkwEH13s7G&sig=cr66e5CLETvc4xlJvKE4Epv_DIw#v=onepage&q&f=false 10.1111/j.1467-2995.2005.00211.x 10.1111/j.1467-2995.2007.00362.x 10.1111/j.1467-2995.2005.00242.x 10.15406/jaccoa.2018.10.00385 10.20546/ijcmas.2020.907.068 10.1136/inpract.28.2.70 10.1016/B978-0-7020-4979-8.00013-3 Hanan MS, Riad EM, and el-Khouly NA. Antibacterial efficacy and pharmacokinetic studies of ciprofloxacin on Pasteurella multocida infected rabbits. Dtsch Tierärztl Wochenschr. 2000; 107(4): 151-155. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10829566/ 10.17582/journal.rjvp/2024/12.4.52.55 10.1016/B978-0-323-83392-9.00010-1