Peculiarities of anesthetic provision and techniques of surgical interventions in rats

Abstract

The contemporary approaches to anesthetic provision and surgical interventions in pet rats within veterinary prac-tice are considered in the article, taking into account the animals’ physiological and age-related characteristics. The aim of the study is to summarize clinically relevant anesthesia protocols based on international recommendations and practical experience, with an emphasis on humane treatment and ensuring animal welfare. The methodology included literature analysis, clinical observations, and testing of combined anesthesia schemes in rats during sched-uled surgical interventions. It was found that the choice of anesthetic approach depends on the type of intervention, the physiological condition of the animal, equipment availability, and post-operative care requirements. For short-term procedures, injectable sedation using medetomidine, midazolam, or dexmedetomidine combined with bupren-orphine is recommended, providing stable anesthesia without the need for specialized equipment. For medium-du-ration surgeries, analgesic injection protocols are expedient, while inhalation anesthesia with isoflurane or sevoflu-rane is optimal for prolonged or abdominal operations. Premedication with atropine, α2-agonists, and opioids helps reduce stress, stabilize vital indicators, and improve induction quality. Monitoring of vital functions (respiration, heart rate, thermoregulation, reflexes) is conducted every 5-15 minutes. Within the clinical practice of Poltava State Agrarian University (PSAU), castrations and excisions of neoplasms were carried out using inhalation anesthesia, demonstrating stable physiological parameters and rapid recovery of activity. Post-operative care includes thermal support, isolation, and analgesia, ensuring both humane treatment and clinical effectiveness of interventions. The obtained results enable to formulate practical recommendations for selecting anesthetic protocols depending on the type of surgery and the animal’s condition, thereby contributing to the standardization of veterinary care for rats.