Anaesthesia and Preparation Flashcards
Define balanced anaesthesia
Achieving the desired effects of an anaesthetic, by using multiple drugs, allowing a more conservative dose for each drug, thereby reducing side effects.
Name the types of anaesthetic agents which can be combined
Regional/local
Inhalational - e.g. isoflurane, sevoflurane
Intravenous
Name the main events of anaesthesia
Induction
Maintenance
Recovery
Name some premedications used in horses
Acepromazine
Alpha 2 agonists
What drugs make up the triple drip for horses
Ketamine
Alpha 2 agonist e.g. Xylazine
Muscle relaxant e.g. guaifenesin
How are horses vs foals induced
Horses - IV only
Foals - IV or mask
What is the main consideration when anaesthetising a farm animals
Be very mindful of the drugs you used - most animals will end up in the food chain
What is an important consideration when anaesthetising a bird
Require ventilation - lack a diaphragm and volatile agents are respiratory depressive
Name the 7 preparatory steps required prior to anaesthesia
- Consider signalment and take a history
- Include anaesthesia history - what worked well, what didn’t
- Examine animal
- Consider additional diagnostics e.g. bloods
- Decide on what ASA category the animal is in
- Discuss the risks with the owner
- Gain informed consent
Why do we starve animals prior to anaesthesia and for how long
Reduces risk of regurgitation and aspiration pneumonia
At least 6 hours if healthy
If <2kg, at risk for hypoglycaemia so 1-2 hours
How do you prep the animal for anaesthesia (+ extra steps for horses)
Weight them - important for drug calc
Consider animal positioning
Place IV cannula - consider placement
Horses - remove shoes, clean feet, flush mouth
What gauge of cannula is used in horse, dog and rabbit and in what vein
Horse - 14g in the jugular
Dog - 20g in the cephalic
Rabbit - 22g short stay, auricular vein
What can be done to reduce anaesthetic risk
Implement checklists
Good communication in handovers
Auditing and clinical governance (M&M rounds)
