Abstract
The unexpected deaths of 160 rabbits undergoing anesthesia were examined retrospectively. All rabbits were assessed according to the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status classification system based on pre-anesthetic examination, laboratory tests and imaging findings. Abnormalities were evident on X-ray images in 4.7% (two out of 43) of the ASA class I cases. Of the ASA class II cases, 22.6% (12 out of 53) had abnormalities detected on laboratory testing, and 30.0% (15 out of 50) had abnormal imaging findings. The incidence of anesthesia-related death was 1.9%. None of the healthy rabbits undergoing ovariohysterectomy or castration died; however, anesthesia-related death occurred in three rabbits, one with uterine disease, one with a urinary calculus and one with gastrointestinal obstruction. One of these cases was classified as ASA class III and the remaining two as class IV. Two rabbits died 1 hour after premedication and the other died 18 hours after surgery due to a cardiac arrest. Our findings suggest that rabbits with ASA class III or IV physical health status are at higher risk of anesthesia-related death, so careful monitoring should be instituted for 24 hours after starting treatment.
