3- Equine anaesthesia: problems in recovery Flashcards
When do problems occur most often in a horses anaesthesia?
Maintenance
What are the 3 H’s that occur in HORSES whilst under anaesthesia?
Hypotension
Hypoxemia
Hypercapnia
What is to important to remember about horse’s airway
They are obligate nasal breathers
Where do obstructions tend to occur in nasal passages of horses
At the level of the larynx
What is post-op myopathy?
Muscle weakness
Caused by intraoperative malposition & hypotension
High weight on horses’ muscles & reduces perfusion pressure to muscle
What causes low blood pressure in a horses anaesthesia?
Volatile agents
What Is post-op neuropathy?
Nerve damage
Caused by pressure of nerve & hypotension
Unable to bear weight on one limb = causes knuckling
Facial paralysis
What does spinal cord malacia cause in horses?
Dog sitting position - can’t bring back legs up to stand = fatal
When should an anaesthetised horse be extubated
when swallowing (is the last reflex to return)
List some clinical signs of upper airway obstruction in horse after anaesthesia
stridor or stertor following tracheal exubation
nostril flaring on inspiration
abdominal resp effort
exaggerated thoracic excursion
Where do upper airway obstruction generally occur when recoving horse
tends to occur within the nasal passages or at the level of the larynx
What is pulmonary oedema in recovering horses though to be related to
changes in venous return and an influx of fluid into the alveoli as a result of excessive negative pressures within the thorax
describe how you would treat pulmonary oedema in recovering horse
remove obstruction
provide O2
frusemide- to try and reduce the oedema
dexamethasone- to reduce the inflammation
What would you see in a horse with pulmonary oedema
Frothy, pinkish fluid at the nostrils after horse has been reintubated and airway patency returned
Exaggerated respiratory efforts & cyanosis- in severe cases
