Total intravenous anaesthesia by boluses or by continuous rate infusion of propofol in mute swans (Cygnus olor)

8 mg kg−1 propofol appears an adequate induction dose for mute swans. For maintenance, a CRI of 0.85 mg kg−1 minute−1 produced stable anaesthesia suitable for painless clinical procedures. In contrast bolus administration, was unsatisfactory as birds awoke very suddenly, and the short intervals between bolus requirements hampered clinical procedures. Administration of additional oxygen throughout anaesthesia might reduce the incidence of low arterial haemoglobin saturation.