General anesthesia for newborn pigs.

A safe technique for the induction and maintenance of general anesthesia in newborn pigs was accomplished. After premedication with atropine sulphate, anesthesia was induced by giving a mixture of oxygen, nitrous oxide and 2.5% halothane introduced by face mask. An endotracheal tube was inserted, and anesthesia was maintained using 0.5--1% halothane. Recovery was prompt, and there were no postoperative complications related to anesthesia.