endotracheal technique for anaesthesia

Question
Hi Dana,

Wondered if I could have your opinion on if the endotracheal method for anaesthesia is a safe option for rabbit anaesthesia should it be required.

I have heard that it should only be attempted if the veterinarian  is *very* experienced with this method, but, even so, does this method carry any extra risks?

My concerns with what I've read about this method is that post-op swelling can occur (of the larynx) and that the vagal nerve can be damaged if several attempts are made to intubate, (which could result in instant death)

Also, I have heard a classical reaction of rabbits is that they can get a blocked airway after removal of tube.  How common is this?

I hear many vets so still intubate rabbits this way, but, I am wondering if it does indeed carry any greater risks than masking, why do many vets still perform GA's in this way?

Also, would the smaller breeds (netherlands etc) be a greater risk for mouth tubing than the larger breeds?

Would appreciate your opinion on this,


Thanks


Sue  

Answer
Dear Sue,

The benefit to intubation is that the anesthesia is delivered in a more measureable way to the lungs, and--mainly--that artificial respiration can be delivered if the bunny should "crash" during surgery.  Intubation is generally considered much safer for *any* surgery for this reason:  it's insurance against a possible disaster.

The problem is that with rabbits, it's not an easy procedure to do unless you've practiced it a lot.  I've not heard of the post-op swelling, but I suspect this would happen if the tube were too large and post-op swelling of the trachea resulted.  A good, experienced rabbit vet would know the appropriate size of tube to use, and never force a tube that was too large down a little rabbit's airway.  

I imagine the procedure would be harder to perform on a dwarf rabbit simply because of the size.  But once the tube is in, there should be no greater risk for a dwarf rabbit.

It really depends on the skill of the vet, whether intubation is safer or more risky.  But if the vet is skilled at the procedure, then intubation is definitely the way to go.

Hope this helps.

Dana