Use of a heated anesthetic circuit decreases heat loss compared to a nonwarmed circuit in anesthetized New Zealand white rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus).

A heated anesthetic circuit significantly reduces but does not eliminate perianesthetic hypothermia in anesthetized rabbits.

This prospective, randomized, complete crossover study evaluated the efficacy of a commercially available heated anesthetic circuit (HAC; Heated ZDS Qube; Darvall) in reducing perianesthetic heat loss in New Zealand white rabbits. Ten healthy, intact male rabbits (approximately 4 months old) were anesthetized twice with isoflurane (7-day washout period) using either a warmed (W; preheated to 43.3°C) or nonwarmed (NW; room temperature) HAC. Body temperature was monitored via rectal and two esophageal probes every 5 minutes throughout 60 minutes of anesthesia, and rectal temperature was recorded every 30 minutes post-anesthesia until normothermia (≥38°C) was achieved in an incubator set at 29.4°C. Hypothermia (≤37.9°C) occurred in all 10 NW events and 7 of 10 W events, confirming that hypothermia remains a significant anesthetic risk even with active warming. However, mean temperatures in the W group were significantly higher than NW at all time points across all three temperature modalities, with linear mixed-effects modeling confirming statistically significant differences. Temperature declined linearly with anesthesia duration in both groups. These findings demonstrate that the HAC meaningfully attenuates—though does not entirely prevent—intraoperative heat loss in rabbits. Given the well-documented morbidity associated with perianesthetic hypothermia in this species, the HAC represents a clinically practical adjunct warming strategy. Veterinary professionals managing rabbit anesthesia should consider incorporating heated breathing circuits alongside other thermal support measures to optimize patient outcomes.

This summary was distilled by AI and may occasionally misinterpret data. Confirm critical details with the primary literature before clinical application.