Rodent and Rabbit Anesthesia Ch.12 Objectives Flashcards
- Summarize the common problems that may arise when anesthetizing rodents and rabbits.
Anesthetizing rodents and rabbits poses challenges, including hypothermia due to high surface-to-volume ratio, respiratory depression due to the anesthetic agents and complications like respiratory or cardiac arrest, hypovolemia, and embolism.
- List the preanesthetic and anesthetic agents suitable for use in these species.
Anticholinergic agents can be used to reduce salivation associated with some anesthetics (e.g., ketamine) and to reduce bronchial secretions, particularly in animals with preexisting respiratory disease. Atropine is frequently used for this purpose, but in rabbits it is often relatively ineffective, because many animals have high levels of atropinase. It is therefore advisable to use glycopyrrolate in rabbits.
* Opioid analgesics may be given 30 to 45 minutes before induction of anesthesia. This reduces the concentration of volatile anesthetic needed to maintain anesthesia and provides preemptive analgesia.
* Sedatives or tranquilizers should be given to rabbits before induction of anesthesia with volatile agents. All of the agents that are commonly used for preanesthetic medication in dogs and cats can be used in small mammals.For pre-anesthetic and anesthetic purposes in rodents and rabbits, commonly used agents include alpha-2 agonists like medetomidine, and xylazine, along with opioids like butorphanol, and benzodiazepines such as midazolam, as well as dissociatives like ketamine and inhalational anesthetics such as isoflurane and sevoflurane.
- Describe the technique of endotracheal intubation in rabbits.
Endotracheal intubation in rabbits typically involves visualizing the larynx and trachea using a laryngoscope or endoscope, followed by guiding a lubricated endotracheal tube past the vocal cords and into the trachea
- Describe the problems that can arise when monitoring anesthesia in rodents and rabbits.
Monitoring anesthesia in rodents and rabbits presents several challenges, including rapid heat loss due to a high surface area to volume ratio, difficulty in obtaining reliable vital signs, and the inherent “prey” nature of these animals that can mask pain or subtle behavioral changes, leading to misinterpretations of anesthetic depth
- State aspects of intraoperative care that are of particular importance when anesthetizing rodents and rabbits.
Intraoperative care for anesthetized rodents and rabbits emphasizes maintaining body temperature, monitoring respiratory and cardiovascular functions, ensuring adequate anesthesia depth, preventing corneal damage, and providing analgesia.
- Describe how to cope with common anesthetic emergencies in rodents and rabbits.
To prepare for and cope with anesthetic emergencies in rodents and rabbits, ensure you have pre-calculated emergency drug dosages, monitor vital signs (respiratory rate, heart rate, temperature), and be ready to administer basic first aid like artificial ventilation and warmed fluids. Changes in the depth and pattern of respiration usually precede respiratory arrest. Careful monitoring of respiratory function will usually allow corrective measures to be taken before an emergency arises. If the animal has been intubated, respiration can be assisted by delivering 100% oxygen from the anesthetic machine.
- Describe the most common problems associated with postanesthetic care of rodents and rabbits.
Common postanesthetic problems in rodents and rabbits include hypothermia due to their high surface-to-volume ratio, respiratory issues, and the need for vigilant monitoring and pain management, as these animals are prone to masking pain.
- List the analgesics that can be used in rodents and rabbits.
Most analgesics used for mitigating pain in rodents fall into one of a few classes: opioids (or opioid-like), NSAID or local analgesics. Commonly used agents include buprenorphine, tramadol, meloxicam, carprofen, ketoprofen, ibuprofen, acetaminophen, lidocaine, and bupivacaine. Many opioids (e.g., morphine) have a shorter duration of action in small mammals than in other species. Buprenorphine, with a duration of action of 6 to12 hours in small mammals, is preferred.
