The effects of Vitamin C on Xylazine anaesthesia in rabbits

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the effects of vitamin C on zylazine anaesthesia in rabbits. Ten apparently healthy rabbits of both sexes, aged 6 months and weighing 0.8-1.3 kg were grouped into two of five each. Xylazine at a dose of 4 mg/kg was administered intramuscularly to rabbits in both groups. Ten minutes later, rabbits in group B were intramuscularly administered vitamin C at a dose of 200 mg/kg.Vital parameters (temperature, respiratory and heart rates) were taken before and after administration of xylazine. Time of onset and duration of anaesthesia and haematological parameters were determined. The results showed an increase in temperature and heart rate but a slight depression in the respiratory rate after anaesthesia. There was also a slight decrease in the blood cells with a corresponding decrease in the packed cell volume. The onset of sleep was shorter while the duration of sleep was longer when vitamin C was used in combination with xylazine than when xylazine was used alone. It is concluded that vitamin C may alters the clinical and haematological parameters, as well as prolongs the sleeping time of rabbits anaesthetized with xylazine. Therefore, vitamin C supplementation in animals undergoing xylazine anaesthesia may improve the chances of their survival.