Lecture 15.2 10/29/24

Question 1

What are the most common things to evaluate prior to anesthesia in camelids?

Answer 1

-heart rate, rhythm, and auscultation
-resp. rate, effort, and auscultation
-blood glucose
-hematocrit

Question 2

What is important with regards to camelid respiration?

Answer 2

obligate nasal breathers

Question 3

What are the adaptations seen in camelids to account for living at high altitudes?

Answer 3

-rich oxygen carrying capacity
-erythrocytes that are biscuit/wafer-shaped
-very little packed cell volume
-very high osmotic toughness

Question 4

What are the anatomic/physiologic considerations that apply to camelids?

Answer 4

-abundant saliva
-lots of spit and stomach contents
-several folds in the soft palate (old world)
-lower functional residual capacity
-3 compartment stomach
-cannot eructate under GA

Question 5

What considerations must be made with regards to anesthesia and drugs when working with camelids?

Answer 5

-considered fiber/do not enter food chain
-ability to move them following drug admin.
-temperament
-type of surgery/medical procedure

Question 6

Why is it technically challenging to obtain IV access in camelids?

Answer 6

-no jugular groove
-thick skin
-close relationship between jugular vein and carotid artery

Question 7

Which veins can be used besides the jugular vein in camelids?

Answer 7

-cephalic vein
-internal saphenous vein

Question 8

What are the characteristics of camelid sedation?

Answer 8

-can be done in induction stall or OR for tame animals
-usually given IV if patient has a catheter
-IM sedation prior to catheter placement requires higher doses of sedatives

Question 9

What are the characteristics of acepromazine use in camelids?

Answer 9

-facilitates handling
-commonly used in bactrian and dromedary
-not as useful in smaller camelids
-drooping of eyelid and lower lip indicates sedation

Question 10

What are the characteristics of alpha2-agonist use in camelids?

Answer 10

-sensitive species
-cause hypoxemia and hypoventilation
-common reversal methods studied; can use yohimbine, atipemazole, or tolazoline
-tolazoline toxicity occurs with doses greater than 2 mg/kg IV

Question 11

What are the characteristics of butorphanol use in camelids?

Answer 11

-adjunct to increase degree of sedation
-insufficient data on analgesic properties
-minimal cardiovascular effects

Question 12

What are the characteristics of morphine use in camelids?

Answer 12

-reliable analgesia is inconsistent among individuals
-muscle tremors observed with doses of 0.5 mg/kg or higher

Question 13

Which medications are used for ketamine IM or IV stuns when short duration sedation is wanted?

Answer 13

-ketamine
-xylazine
-butorphanol

Question 14

What are the relative rankings of IM, IV, and SQ injections for intensity, onset, and duration of anesthesia?

Answer 14

intensity: IV > IM > SQ
onset: IV > IM > SQ
duration: SQ > IM > IV

Question 15

What are the characteristics of IV alfaxalone use in camelids?

Answer 15

-longer duration of action compared to propofol and ketamine/diazepam
-very poor recovery

Question 16

What are the characteristics of intubation in alpacas?

Answer 16

-blind intubation when going nasally
-direct visualization intubation when going orally

Question 17

What are the characteristics of intubation in llamas?

Answer 17

-blind intubation when going nasally
-direct visualization or palpation intubation when going orally

Question 18

Which drugs are included in a triple drip for injectable maintenance of camelid anesthesia?

Answer 18

-guaifenesin
-ketamine
-xylazine

Question 19

Which inhalants are used to maintain camelid anesthesia?

Answer 19

-isoflurane: MAC of 1.1%
-sevoflurane: MAC of 2.3%
-desflurane: MAC of 8%

Question 20

What are the characteristics of anesthetic depth monitoring in camelids?

Answer 20

-slow palpebral reflex of upper eyelid indicates surgical plane
-spontaneous blinking indicates insufficient depth
-spontaneous/stimulated closure of lower eyelid indicates insufficient depth
-jaw tone can be used as an indicator

Question 21

What are the characteristics of camelid recovery?

Answer 21

-place in sternal recumbency with elevated head
-IV catheter stays in place throughout recumbency
-drain liquid and clean mouth
-extubate only if signs of full recovery present; keep cuff semi-inflated
-investigate noisy breathing immediately

Question 22

What are common post-anesthetic complications in camelids?

Answer 22

-airway obstruction
-regurg.
-prolonged recovery
-ruminal tympany
-neuropathies
-myopathy
-hypothermia