Equine Anesthesia Ch.10 Objectives

Question 1

Explain the special anesthetic challenges resulting from the patient’s temperament, large body size, and equine anatomy and physiology.

Answer 1

Anesthetizing horses presents unique challenges due to their temperament, large size, and specific anatomy and physiology, including the risk of injury from their instinctive flight response, the need for specialized equipment, and the potential for respiratory and cardiovascular complications.

Question 2

Describe anesthetic techniques commonly used in equine practice.

Answer 2

In equine practice, common anesthetic techniques include standing sedation for minor procedures and general anesthesia, often achieved through intravenous (IV) induction followed by inhalational maintenance, for more complex or prolonged procedures.

Question 3

List the causes of nasal congestion, atelectasis, neuropathy, and myopathy, and describe strategies to prevent these anesthetic complications.

Question 4

Describe the differences between anesthetic protocols and procedures used for field anesthesia and anesthesia in a fully equipped equine hospital.

Question 5

Explain the indications for, the advantages of, and risks associated with standing chemical restraint in horses.

Question 6

Describe anesthetic induction by intravenous (IV) injection and by inhalation via a nasotracheal tube.

Question 7

Prepare an equine patient, anesthetic equipment, and anesthetic agents and adjuncts for general anesthesia.

Question 8

Explain cautions and risks associated with each method of anesthetic induction, and strategies to maximize patient safety.

Question 9

Explain how to do each of the following: (1) select and prepare an endotracheal tube (ETT) for placement; (2) place an ETT in a horse; (3) check for proper ETT placement; (4) inflate the cuff; (5) extubate a horse during anesthetic recovery.

Question 10

Describe maintenance of general anesthesia with an inhalant agent and with intravenous agents.

Question 11

List principles of providing appropriate patient positioning, comfort, and safety during anesthetic maintenance.

Question 12

Explain the significance of hypoventilation, hypoxemia, and hypotension in equine patients, as well as prevention and management strategies for these anesthetic complications.

Question 13

List factors that affect patient recovery from anesthesia, the signs of recovery, appropriate monitoring during recovery, and oxygen therapy during recovery.

Question 14

Describe general nursing care during the postanesthetic period.