Lecture 13 - GA Dog Sedation

Question 1

What are the nine steps involved in an anesthetic case?

Answer 1

1. Patient factors/signalment
2. History
3. Physical Examination
4. Preanesthetic considerations/Problem list
5. Anaesthetic protocol
6. Premedication
7. Induction
8. Maintenance
9. Recovery/post-operative care

Question 2

You are presented with a nine month old entire Labrador called harry that is having a hip X-ray and skin biopsy. He is healthy but is very nervous and has been fasted for 12 h. During the clinical exam you determine that he has a tachycardia. What are you two differentials and how could you differentiate between them?

Answer 2

Two differentials to consider are stress/pain and hyperthermia/hypermetabolic status (infection)

Conducted a WBC count that was then determined to be normal.

Question 3

What must go on the problem list for anesthesia and what is your problem list for this animal?

Answer 3

Specific list for Harry:

1. Hypotension
2. Hypoventilation
3. Hypothermia
4. Nervous and stressed
5. Short procedure and not very painful
6. Minor postoperative pain – take a skin biopsy

the top three go on the problem list for every animal

Question 4

What choice/combination of drugs are you going to use for Harry?

Answer 4

ACP, and opioid and medetomidine

Question 5

What is a pro and a con of using ACP

Answer 5

Pro of ACP = good sedation

Con of ACP = hypotension

Question 6

What are the pros and cons of using medetomidine?

Answer 6

Pros of medetomidine = good sedation, good muscle relaxation, good analgesia, quick onset, anatagonisable
Cons of medetomidine = arrythmia, respiratory depression means O2 neccesary, hypothermia

Question 7

What are the pros and the cons of using an opioid in the sedation protocol?

Answer 7

Benefit = better sedation, better analgesia, quicker and more reliable onset 
Negative = nausea/vomiting, respiratory depression (high dose mu receptor agonist), scheduled drugs and involves mixing of two drugs

Question 8

What are some important considerations during the maintenance period for the animal?

Answer 8

• IV catheter – PLACE ONE – too late when problem is already apparent
• Eye on the patient – especially the thorax
• Maintain O2 concentrations
• Have emergency drugs close by
• Feel pulse and/or count the heart rate
• Record sheet for drugs and doses + general time points

Question 9

What drugs are used in the recovery of the animal?

Answer 9

Dog – 5 x atipamezol to medetomidine

Cat – 2.5 x atipamezol to medetomidine