Anesthesia in Göttingen miniature swine used for experimental surgery.

This contribution describes a modern technique of producing general anesthesia in the Göttingen minipig. The method of anesthesia selected is dependent on the duration and type of surgery. The drugs used to produce anesthesia should not interfere with the experimental aims, therefore only drugs with well known actions and a standardized anesthesiological procedure should be used. Climazolam, Ketamine and atropine are preferred for induction of anesthesia. After endotracheal intubation, inhalation anesthetic mixed with oxygen and nitrous oxide is used to maintain general anesthesia. Controlled ventilation is necessary to prevent the animals from developing respiratory acidosis. Postoperative analgesia is provided by orally administering acetylsalicylate or morphine-sulfate pentahydrate at 12 hour intervals.