Chap 30 - Surgical Principles

Question 1

Why do stressed animals not do well with anesthesia?

Answer 1

Catecholamine release. Also hypovolemia/blood loss, hypothermia, renal or respiratory compromise.

Question 2

What is the ideal pre-op testing?

Answer 2

CBC, biochem, UA, rads (in case of asymptomatic respiratory disease)

Question 3

What is the minimum recommended pre-op testing?

Answer 3

PCV/TS, USG, azotemia test strip or BUN/Creat, and BG for ferrets

Question 4

Fasting duration for rabbits/rodents, and ferrets?

Answer 4

Rab/Rod: 1-2 hours, just enough to empty mouths.

Ferret: 1 hour to empty the stomach

Question 5

What can happen if there is a prolonged fast for ECM?

Answer 5

Decreased abdominal volume, liver glycogen stores, and BG. A negative energy balance increases the risk.

Question 6

What is the total blood volume for most ECM?

Answer 6

57 ml/kg

Question 7

How much blood does a cotton-tipped applicator hold?

Answer 7

0.1 ml

Question 8

What percentage of blood can be lost and the animal be okay vs hypovolemic shock vs life-threatening?

Answer 8

A decrease of 10-15% is okay.
15-20% will result in hypovolemic shock.
20-30% is life-threatening.

Question 9

What is the difference between electrocautery and electrosurgery?

Answer 9

Cautery - heats metal to coagulate tissues. Ex. cautery pens.
Surgery - high frequency alternating current. Ex. unipolar with ground plate or bipolar.

Question 10

How does a CO2 laser work?

Answer 10

Uses light energy absorbed by water molecules, to seal vessels <0.6mm.

Question 11

Pros and cons of using a CO2 laser?

Answer 11

There is less pain/inflammation because it also seals lymphatics and nerves, but there is the risk of thermal damage.

Question 12

What have studies shown about the solutions used for patient surgical prep in regards to bacterial load and evaporative heat loss? (re: alcohol, saline, iodine, & chlorhexidine)

Answer 12

Alcohol is not sufficient alone, but is better than saline, when used in combo with iodine. Alcohol’s evaporative cooling effects only last as long as the solution is there (until it dries). Alcohol and chlorhexidine have the same effects at decreasing skin bacterial load.

Question 13

What is important to remember when closing surgical incisions or handling skin in ferrets?

Answer 13

They bruise very easily & quickly, but heal well.

Question 14

Which species are more likely to leave their incisions alone vs chew/lick them?

Answer 14

Leave alone: guinea pigs, chinchillas, degus.

Chew/lick: rabbits, ferrets, rats, mice