Comparison of heating devices for maintaining body temperature in anesthetized laboratory rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy of various external heating devices in maintaining body temperature in anesthetized rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Rabbits were divided into 3 groups and placed on either no heating device, a circulating warm-water blanket, or a forced-air warming device. The animals underwent identical surgical procedures unrelated to the scope of the study, and body temperatures were monitored at 5-min intervals for a 45-min period. Results showed that rabbits had a statistically significant loss of body temperature during the procedure when no heating device was used, no significant loss in body temperature with the use of the forced air-warming device, and a minor increase in body temperature with the use of the circulating warm-water blanket. This study shows that external heating devices are necessary for maintenance of normal body temperature in rabbits under general anesthesia, and forced-air warming devices and circulating warm-water blankets are effective heating devices.