Anaesthesia of ruminants and pigs

Question 1

How are pigs prepared for GA?

Answer 1

• fast for 8-12 hrs or 24hrs for abdominal surgery
• weight taken
• IM sedation= subcut fat, behind ears

Question 2

What are the 2 options for sedation of food producing pigs?

Answer 2

1. azaperone 2mg/kg with ketamine 2-5mg/kg
2. detomidine 0.1mg/kg with butorphanol 0.2mg/kg with ketamine 5mg/kg

induction with ketamine and thiopentone

Question 3

Describe the common pig anaesthetic protocol for research pigs

Answer 3

non aggressive pigs= midazolam 0.2mg/kg

option 4= midazolam 0.2mg/kg with ketamine 5mg/kg

option 5= alpha 2 agonist or benzodiazepine with opiod of choice and alfaxalone IM

Question 4

What can be used to maintain anaesthesia in food producing animals?

Answer 4

isoflurane

Question 5

What can be used for anaesthetic maintenance in research animals?

Answer 5

propofol, isoflurane, alfaxalone, swine triple dip

Question 6

What is a condition of pigs during anaesthesia?

Answer 6

porcine malignant hyperthermia

Question 7

What are signs of porcine malignant hyperthermia?

Answer 7

• metabolic acidosis
• cardiac arrhythmias
• blotchy skin
• severe and sustained hyperthermia
• hyperkalaemia
• generalised muscle rigidity

Question 8

How can porcine maliganant hyperthermia be treated?

Answer 8

• terminate anaesthesia
• hyperventile with 100% oxygen
• cool down
• remove vaporizer and replace circuit with uncontaminated one

Question 9

Describe the pre-anaesthetic preparation in ruminants

Answer 9

• starve calves for 8-12 hrs

- starve adults 13-24 hrs

Question 10

Describe premedication in cattle

Answer 10

• alpha 2 agonists
• xylazine
• detomidine

Question 11

What is common in small ruminants following alpha 2 agonist adminsitration?

Answer 11

hypoxaemia and pulmonary oedema

Question 12

Describe the common adult bovine anaesthetic protocol

Answer 12

premedication= xylazine (IM) or butrophanol (IM/IV)

inducation= ketamine

Question 13

What is associated with increased risk of regurgitation in cattle?

Answer 13

thiopentone

Question 14

What is the common bovine anaesthetic protocol for calves?

Answer 14

option 1- xylazine or butorphanol

option 2- xylazine and ketamine mixed in syringe (IM)

option 3- xylazine or ketamine (IV)

Question 15

What anaesthetic protocols are used in food producing animals?

Answer 15

IM induction
Detomidine- 0.02mg/kg and ketamine 15mg/kg
Mixed in the same syringe
OR
IV induction- detomidine 0.01-0.02mg/kg and butorphanol 0.2mg/kg
Ketamine 2.5mg/kg

Question 16

What anaesthetic protocols are used in research animals?

Answer 16

Premedication- diazepam 0.2-0.5mg/kg IV and butorphanol 0.2mg/kg
Induction- propofol 4-6mg/kg IV

Question 17

What does the bovine triple drip consist of?

Answer 17

Guaifenesin 5% + Ketamine 1-2 mg ml-1 + Xylazine 0.1 mg ml-1

Question 18

What are common encountered prolems regarding anaesthesia in ruminants?

Answer 18

Ruminal tympany
Regurgitation and subsequent aspiration of ruminal content
Cardiovascular depression
Respiratory compromise
salivation