Anesthesia in Pigs

Question 1

how do you prepare pigs for GA (3)

Answer 1

1. fasting for 8-12h and <24 hours for abdominal surgery
2. weight
3. venipuncture tricky
4. IM sedation

Question 2

how are pigs sedated

Answer 2

IM

need a long needle because subcut intra-fat isn’t effective

IM behind ears –> less fat

Question 3

what are premedication options

Answer 3

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

Question 4

what are induction options

Answer 4

ketamine ~2 mg/kg IV + thiopentone IV

Question 5

what are sedation protocols for research pigs

Answer 5

as before stated

3. midazolam 0.2 mg/kg IM
4. midazolam 0.2 mg/kg + ketamine 5 mg/kg IM
5. alpha2 agonist or benzodiazepine + opioid of choice + alfaxalone IM

Question 6

how can research pigs be induced

Answer 6

as above

2. propofol IV to effect (<4 mg/kg)
3. alfaxalone IV to effect (<2mg/kg)

Question 7

how is intubation done in pigs

Answer 7

difficult due to anatomy

Question 8

how is anesthesia maintained

Answer 8

1. isoflurane
2. propofol CRI
3. alfaxalone CRI
4. swine triplw drip (guaifensin 5% + xylazine 1mg/ml + ketamine 1mg/ml) 2.2-4.4 ml/kg/h

Question 9

which is more common in pigs hypo or hyperthermia

Answer 9

hypo

Question 10

what is porcine malignant hyperthermia

Answer 10

after exposure to triggering agents

certian breeds more common: poland china, pietrain, landrace, large white

Question 11

what are the clinical signs of (MH) (7)

Answer 11

1. muscle rigidity
2. blotchy skin
3. severe and sustained hyperthermia
4. hyperkalemia
5. hypercapnia
6. metabolic acidosis
7. cardiac arrhythmias

Question 12

what is the treatment for MH (6)

Answer 12

1. terminate anesthesia
2. remove vaporizer + replace circuit with uncontaminated one
3. hyperventilate with 100% oxygen
4. cool down
5. dantrolene (not in table 1)
6. symptomatic treatment of metabolic acidosis, hyperkalemia, cardiac arrhythmias