Rectal anesthesia is a new acceptable method in small animals. There are many successful results in cat and dog. In this study the possibility of rectal anesthesia in rabbit is evaluated and compared with intramuscular method.

The study was carried out in two stages on 5 adult rabbits (1.5-2.5 kg). In the first phase acepromazine (2.5 mg/kg), ketamine (100 mg /kg) were administered as cocktail, intramuscularly. The second stage was performed 15 days later, and the same drugs with the same doses were administered intrarectally. Changes in posture, muscle relaxation, analgesia, and corneal reflex activation, palpebral and pedal reflex) were assessed and compared in two stages. Also, heart rate, and respiratory rate were measured. One way analysis of variance and Dunken test were used for statistical analysis.

Loss of pedal pinch response and limb tone throughout the rectal anesthesia indicated a surgical plane of anesthesia with adequate muscle relaxation. In rectal group, the anesthesia was stared after 9 ± 3.4 min. and terminated after 37 ± 10 min. in intramascular group, these values were 6 ± 1.6, end 96 ± 11 respectively.

It can be concluded that intrarectal administration of the combination of acepromazine, ketamine can induce good anesthesia in rabbits and can be considered as an easy method and applicable method.