Recovery (Yr 3) Flashcards
what are the most common recovery problems?
hypothermia
emergence delirium
hypoxaemia
hypotension (or hypertension)
what is the cause of hypothermia?
(depends on animals size, BCS…)
anaesthesia - drugs, clipping, surgical spirit, open body cavity…
what are the consequences of hypothermia in recovery?
reduced MAC requirements
delayed recovery (drug metabolism)
shivering (use lots of energy)
problems with wound healing
what is emergence delirium?
state of dissociation of consciousness where the patient in incoherent, inconsolable, irritable and uncooperative
what can be done to prevent/treat emergence delirium?
sedation or physical restraint
reduced stimulation (noise and light level)
adequate analgesia
what are possible causes of hypoxaemia in recovering patients?
airway obstruction, inadequate ventilation, poor gas exchange
what are some signs of hypoxaemia in recovering patients?
cyanotic mucous membranes
tachypnoea/dyspnoea
stertor/stridor
reduced level of consciousness
when should you extubate a dog?
on return of the swallow reflex
when should you extubate cats in comparison to dogs?
cats should be extubated earlier as they are prone to laryngospasms
how can regurgitation and aspiration pneumonia be minimised?
positioning (head upwards)
cuff ET tube
what is a complication that is mainly associated with cats?
tracheal tears/ruptures
(and blindness)
what are tracheal tears/ruptures associated with in cats?
overinflation of the ET cuff
what is a reported cause of blindness post-operatively in cats?
using mouth gags (causes cerebral ischaemia)
most will regain vision
what are recovery complications associated with horses?
colic, myopathy, neuropathy, fractures
what are recovery complications associated with ruminants?
regurgitation/aspiration
bloat
