Equine Anaesthesia Flashcards
What are the three types of anaesthesia in the horse?
Standing - sedative, plus local analgesia
Short term total IV anaesthesia (TIVA) - e.g castration. Should still have o2 nearby
Prolonged - Inhalation or TIVA need o2 and ability to ventilate
When should you be aware of when a horse is sedated?
They still have reactions - can kick etc
What drugs are contraindicated in standing adult horses?
Anything that causes muscle weakness e.g. benzodiazepines
How can ACP be administered in the horse?
IV
IM
Oral gel
What are the advantages of using ACP in the horse?
Mood changing - anxiolytic - good for shoeing and clipping
Limited apparent sedation, unless opioids are given
When used as premed halves anaesthesia risk
What are the contraindications of ACP in the horse?
Hypovolaemia
Stallions
Care re: abuse in competition
How can alpha 2 agonists be administered in the horse? What can they be given with?
Licensed for horses - can all be given IV.
Can be used for prolonged sedation
Can be given with opiods
What are the three alpha 2 agonists commonly used in the horse?
Xylazine
Detomidine
Romifidine
What are the side effects of alpha 2 agonists in the horse?
Bradycardia - decreased CO Initial hypertension then BP returns to normal Increased urine output Hyperglycaemia Gut stasis Ecbolic (uterine contractions)
Why might an opioid be given with an alpha 2 agonist in the horse? Which one is commonly used?
Prevents response to touvh
Only small doses of opioid are given - no analgesia
Often butorphanol
What can be given as analgesia in the horse?
Local blocks
Epidural analgesia
NSAIDs (reducing swelling is good, especially in the limbs but care as overdose -> gut toxicity diarrhoea due to colonic ulceration)
Opioids
Alpha 2 agonsits
Lidocaine
How would you prepare for anaesthesia in the horse?
- Pre-anaesthetic exam
- Starvation for 12 hrs no water for 2
- Remove shoes
- Premedication - ACP unless specific reason not to e.g. hypovolaemia
- Catheterisation
- ABs/anti-ten
- Wash out mouth
What is included in the premedication of horses?
Almost always ACP
Sometimes give alpha 2 agonists - more commonly used as co-induction
Pre-emptive analgesia
NSAIDs
Opioids
Local
What are the problems associated with IV in the horse/
- Intracarotid injection
Drugs have very rapid effect - often horse goes down on the end of the needle - Air embolism
Especially is catheters are going downwards - Infection
- Jugular thrombosis
Drug irritation
Thrombin problems with endotoxaemia
Where should a catheter be place in a horse for surgery?
Jugular
What are the three ways of controlling a horse during induction?
Free fall
Gate
Tilting table
What are the two IV induction combinations in horses?
- Ketamine based
Alpha 2/Ketamine +/- benzodiazepine - Hyponotic based
Alpha 2 and/or ACP plus thipental
Propofol or alfaxalone have been used but currently too expensive to be practical
What should be given before ketamine in horse anaesthesia?
Alpha 2 agonist or other sedative
Horse must be well sedated before giving ketamine as it causes excitement
How is ET performed in the horse?
Blind
Very easy as little laryngeal reflex
Make sure that cuff is intact
How should anaesthesia of horses be maintained?
Inhalation (if >1hr)
TIVA
PIVA