3- Equine anaesthesia: recovery from anaesthesia

Question 1

If a horse has has surgery in lateral recumbency how should they be positioned in the recovery box and why?

Answer 1

In the same Lateral recumbency

They undergo a degree of lung collapse when under anaesthesia (lower lung)
Most gas exchanges occurs in the inflated upper lung so do not want to collapse this by placing on other lateral

Question 2

Obstruction tends to occur at what 2 levels in horses?

Answer 2

Nasal passages/ larynx

Question 3

Clinical signs nasal passage obstruction in horses

Answer 3

Stridor (loud resp noise)
Nostril flaring on inspiration
Abdominal respiratory effort
Exaggerated thoracic excursion
Absence of airflow at nostrils

Question 4

Laryngeal obstruction can occur due to what?

Answer 4

Dorsal displacement of soft palate = ET tube being removed before reflexes have returned

Epiglottic retroversion

Question 5

If a horse has nasal oedema after anaesthesia what can be used?

Answer 5

Nasopharyngeal tubes

Phenylephrine

Or both

Question 6

What is epistaxis?

Answer 6

Bleeding from the nose

Question 7

Pathogenesis of pulmonary oedema

Answer 7

Related to changes in venous return & an influx of fluid into the alveoli as a result of excessive negative pressures within the thorax