2. Laboratory anesthetics
Barbiturates are the most commonly used
anesthetics in the laboratory animals.
Pentobarbital sodium (Nembutal) is the
anesthetic of choice.
It produces surgical anesthesia in a dose of 35-
45mg/kg when given by intraperitoneal or
intravenous routes of administration.
The onset of action is almost immediate and
the duration of anesthesia lasts for 45-60 min.
4. If longer action is needed a maintence dose may be
administered.
It produces reversible anesthesia .
When the drug is given by intravenous route, special
precaution should be taken to administer it slowly
other wise it may cause respiratory paralysis.
Pentobarbitone anesthesia may not be suitable for the
study of cardiovascular drugs as it affects the basal
activity of cardiovascular system.
The other commonly used an aesthetics are
chloralose (80-100mg/kg,ip or iv).
Both these agents produce irreversible and produce
several hours of anesthesia.
5. Since chloralose is not suitable in cold water it
is prepared in boiling water and injected when
hot (30-40 c).⁰
