Avian Anesthesia Flashcards
Which 2 complications do birds not tolerate well?
apnea
bradycardia
Which respiratory organ do birds not have?
diaphragm
Which organ is used for ventilation?
expandable air sac system
Which organ is used for gas exchange?
rigid lungs
Birds have pneumonic bones, but which bones can you do intraosseal injections?
ulna & tibiotarsus
How many respiratory cycles are needed for a complete breath?
2
What is the dive response?
a stress response causing bradycardia & apnea for up to 5 minutes, which can be prevented by premed
What is different about their CV system?
larger heart, lower HR, higher BP, higher CO
Why should you NOT give drug into legs?
bc kidneys receive venous blood from legs, so the drug would get metabolized & decrease its potency
Which emergency drugs MUST be drawn up?
Atropine & Epinephrine
How long should small birds be fasted for?
n/a
How long should large birds be fasted for?
8-12 hours
Where would you do SC injection?
back btwn wings, wing web, leg web, inguinal skin fold
Where would you give IM injection?
pectoral & thigh
Where would you give IV injection?
ulnar, dorsal metatarsal, jugular v
What are the possible drug combinations for premed?
opioid alone
opioid + benzodiazepine
What drug is used w premed for aggressive sps? W what side effect?
alpha 2 agonist
CV side effects
Which opioid is most commonly used & why?
Butorphenol bc there are more kappa receptors
How is induction most commonly achieved?
inhalation mask w sevo
What structure is missing in the bird, which makes it easier to intubate?
no epiglottis
What is different about using an ETT in birds?
they have complete tracheal rings so the cuff should not be inflated
What is different about the MAC?
isn’t appropriate bc birds do not have alveolar lungs, so use Minimum Anesthetic Concentration
What is the maximum recommended dose of Lidocaine?
4 mg/kg bc toxic in small birds
Lidocaine toxicity can cause what?
seizures & cardiac arrest
What is different about the bird EKG?
depolarization is from apex to base, to the S wave is negative
What device should be used to assess oxygenation & why?
arterial blood gas bc birds have nucleated RBCs, so pulse ox is inaccurate
What is the normal temperature range?
99-107.6
What are some signs of pain?
crouching, immobility, failure to dust bath, under grooming feather, over grooming feather, separated from flock
What is the problem w using NSAIDs?
potentially toxic drugs
