Anaesthesia small mammals, birds and reptiles Flashcards
How long do you starve a rabbit before general anaesthesia?
You do not starve rabbits before anaesthesia. Rabbits cannot vomit, and prolonged fasting can lead to gut stasis and hypoglycaemia.
Why is reducing stress so important in rabbits?
Rabbits are prey animals – stress can lead to cardiovascular instability and delayed recovery.
Reduces catecholamine release, which may cause arrhythmias.
Prevents gut stasis, a common complication in stressed rabbits.
How will you ventilate a rabbit under anaesthetic?
Face mask (less reliable, may cause breath-holding).
Endotracheal intubation (preferred but difficult due to small airway).
V-gel supraglottic airway device (easy alternative to ET tube).
Mechanical or manual ventilation may be required as rabbits often hypoventilate under GA.
How should a rabbit be positioned during anaesthesia? How does this differ from cats and dogs?
Dorsal recumbency for a spay, but avoid hyperextension of the neck.
Unlike cats and dogs, rabbits have a fragile spine and need gentle handling.
Tilt table can be used to reduce pressure on the diaphragm.
What equipment do you use to monitor a rabbit under general anaesthesia, and what does each monitor?
Pulse oximeter – Measures oxygen saturation and heart rate.
Capnography – Monitors end-tidal CO₂ levels, ensuring adequate ventilation.
Doppler blood pressure monitor – Checks perfusion.
ECG – Detects arrhythmias.
Thermometer – Prevents hypothermi
How do you prevent hypothermia in a rabbit under anaesthesia?
Use a heat mat or forced-air warming system.
Minimise wetting the fur (e.g., during surgical prep).
Cover the rabbit with insulating material.
Use warmed IV fluids if needed.
How can you increase a rabbit’s blood pressure under anaesthesia?
Fluid therapy (IV or intraosseous fluids).
Reduce anaesthetic depth if excessive.
Use inotropes like dopamine if needed
What drugs could you administer to a rabbit to ensure a quick recovery from general anaesthesia?
Reversal agents (e.g., flumazenil for benzodiazepines, atipamezole for alpha-2 agonists).
Analgesia (NSAIDs, opioids like buprenorphine or meloxicam).
Prokinetics (metoclopramide, cisapride) to reduce risk of gut stasis
How long do you starve a bird before general anaesthesia?
Varies by species and size:
Small birds (e.g., finches, budgies): 2-3 hours.
Larger birds (e.g., parrots): 6-12 hours.
Starvation reduces crop stasis and aspiration risk
How will you ventilate a bird under anaesthesia?
Face mask induction with isoflurane/sevoflurane.
Endotracheal intubation if possible.
Manual or mechanical ventilation is often required due to the lack of a diaphragm and reliance on air sacs.
Why might a fracture of the humerus affect the respiratory tract in birds?
Birds have pneumatic bones connected to their air sacs.
A fractured humerus can disrupt airflow and cause respiratory distress
What equipment do you use to monitor a bird under anaesthesia, and what does each monitor?
Pulse oximeter (on the beak, tongue, or foot) – Monitors oxygen saturation.
Capnography – Measures CO₂ levels in exhaled air.
Doppler blood pressure – Checks perfusion.
ECG – Monitors heart function.
Temperature probe – Prevents hypothermia.
How do you prevent hypothermia in birds under anaesthesia?
Use a heat mat or forced-air warming device.
Wrap the bird in an insulating material, leaving the surgical site exposed.
Monitor temperature closely with a probe.
How could you administer fluids to a bird under general anaesthetic?
IV (jugular, ulnar vein, or medial metatarsal vein).
Intraosseous (IO) catheter (distal ulna or proximal tibiotarsus).
Subcutaneous (SC) fluids for mild dehydration.
How do you ventilate a tortoise under anaesthesia, and why is a ventilator needed?
Positive-pressure ventilation is required because tortoises lack a diaphragm and rely on muscle movements for respiration.
Manual ventilation or mechanical ventilator is needed to maintain oxygenation.
Why is it crucial to keep a tortoise’s body temperature close to 30°C during anaesthesia?
Reptiles are ectothermic, and their metabolism slows down in cold conditions.
Anaesthetic drug metabolism is temperature-dependent – hypothermia prolongs recovery.
Maintaining body temperature ensures normal cardiovascular and respiratory function.
What equipment do you use to monitor a tortoise under general anaesthesia, and what does each monitor?
Doppler ultrasound – Monitors heart rate and blood flow.
ECG – Checks for arrhythmias.
Capnography – Measures exhaled CO₂ (if intubated).
Pulse oximeter (on skin or cloaca) – Oxygen saturation (less reliable in reptiles).
Temperature probe – Prevents hypothermia
What stimulates a reptile to breathe, and why is this important during GA recovery?
Reptiles breathe in response to low oxygen (hypoxia), not high CO₂ like mammals.
If given 100% oxygen during recovery, they may not breathe spontaneously.
Gradually reduce oxygen concentration to stimulate natural respiration.
