Rabbit, Rodent and Ferret Anaesthesia Flashcards
Outline the challenges directly linked to the size of small patients in anaesthesia…
Venous access Intubation Thermoregulation Anaesthetic monitoring Significance of haemorrhage
Outline the major challenges in rodent anaesthesia…
Easily stressed Disease often subclinical Difficult to assess pain Rapid metabolism Post anaesthetic ileus common Short lifespan
Outline the major pre-anaesthetic considerations in rodents…
Perform a full clinical examination to identify underlying problems
Obtain an accurate weight (gram scale)
Bloods useful but impractical
Outline stabilisation of the rodent…
Oxygen Warmth Fluid therapy Nutritional support Analgesia Treatment of any underlying disease Gut stimulants
From which veins may blood be taken in the rabbit?
Lateral saphenous vein
Some will tolerate jugular
For how long can a ferret be fasted, and why?
<4 hours - fast gastrointestinal transit, get hypoglycaemic quickly
Where is a rabbit IV placed?
Marginal ear vein (always use local anaesthetic)
How can you increase fluid absorption in the rodent?
Warming fluids
Add hyaluronidase
Why is fasting not necessary in the rabbit?
Can’t vomit
Outline the available options for analgesia in small animals…
NSAIDs
Opioids
Tramadol
What is ranitidine?
Gut stimulant
Outline the advantages of gaseous induction in small mammal anaesthesia…
Rapid
Rapid adjustment to anaesthetic depth possible
Rapid recovery
Useful in patients with hepatic/renal compromise
Outline the disadvantages of gaseous induction in small mammal anaesthesia…
Apnoea (resulting hypoxia may be fatal in rabbits)
Stress on induction
Dose-dependent cardiopulmonary depression
Irritates mucous membranes
No analgesia
Outline the signs of pain in small prey animals…
Eyes closed
Tucked up face
Whiskers/cheeks flattened
Ear position
How can gaseous induction be improved in small mammals?
Premedication
Opioid and midazolam combination
Hypnorm (low dose)
Sevoflurane (less irritant than isoflurane)
Reduce stress (quiet, dimly lit induction room)
What is hypnorm?
Only licensed sedative for rabbits and rodents
Fentanyl and fluanisone
Outline the effects of hypnorm
Deep sedation
Respiratory depression
Long recovery
Outline the benefits of intramuscular/subcutaneous induction with an alpha-2 agonist, ketamine, and an opioid in small mammal anaesthesia…
Deep sedation
Good analgesia
Easily reversed (rapid recovery)
Outline the disadvantages of intramuscular/subcutaneous induction with an alpha-2 agonist, ketamine, and an opioid in small mammal anaesthesia…
Respiratory depression
Bradycardia
Give 2 agents suitable for intravenous induction for small mammals…
Propofol
Alfaxalone
Outline the benefits of intravenous induction in small mammal anaesthesia…
Rapid induction
Rapid recovery
Outline the disadvantages of intravenous induction in small mammal anaesthesia…
Intravenous access required
Significant respiratory depression if infused quickly
Additional analgesia necessary
What is the palatal ostium?
Soft palate fused to base of tongue (guinea pigs)
Outline the technique of blind intubation in small mammals…
Pre-oxygenate Check mouth for debris Position rabbit with nose to ceiling Introduce tube and listen for breathing sounds Advance towards sounds
