Ruminant Anesthesia Flashcards
what type of anesthesia do we use with recumbency for ruminants?
- Recumbency with local anesthesia/sedation - not GA
why is general anesthesia less common in adult ruminants?
1.Withdrawal times
2.Due to equipment required
3.Risks of GA without ET intubation
what is the ideal method of anesthesia for ruminants? why
Sedation & Local Anesthesia is Ideal
-less risk of complications (GI, resp, cardiovascular)
-minimal equipment required
-established withdrawl times
Ruminant Anesthesia Disadvantages
Endotracheal intubation
>required with GA
>need ET tubes and skill
Expense of equipment
<inhalational>estimated withdrawl times
</inhalational>
risks of ruminant anesthesia?
WITH UNCONSCIOUSNESS
>Ruminal Distension and Bloat
>Regurgitation & aspiration if not intubated
>Potential to develop neuropathy and myopathy with prolonged recumbency & poor positioning
>Potential development of hypoxemia
ruminant age considerations for anesthesia, <2 months
< 2 months
* Immature liver enzyme function until approx. 3 mos
* Benzodiazepines may have prolonged effect
* Prolonged recovery potential
Reversal should be available
cardiovascular concerns for ruminants under GA
- hypotension is less - vs. equine or SA
MBP<60 mmHg not as common unless…
> Dehydrated/sick
Neonate/pediatric age as in all other species
Hypoventilation results in higher PaCO2
respiratory concerns for ruminants under GA
- Prone to hypoventilation (fast shallow breaths)
- Small increase in PaCO2 acceptable
- Will require assistance for ventilation once intubated
Hypoventilation results in higher PaCO2, which supports sympathetic tone
Hypoxemia due to:
* GI push on chest and bloat
> V/Q mismatch - Atelectasis
> Prolonged times and dorsal recumbency will promote hypoxemia
– Pulmonary Intravascular Macrophage Degranulation
* “PIMS”
* Small ruminants most typical
– Post xylazine sedation
* See rapid RR
* Poor colour – grey – blanched mucous membranes
* Hypoxemia
* Evidence of Pulmonary edema
– Reversal and support required
GI concerns for ruminants under GA
significant!
-salivation
-bloat
-regurgitation, aspiration
Withholding food and water times
-To reduce GI volume and gas producing bacteria, but will still have regurgitation and bloat
should we use anticholinergics to reduce salivation in ruminants under GA? why?
– –
Large amounts of salivation
Anticholinergics not indicated to reduce this as
* Reduction in saliva but increased viscosity
* Reduced GI motility with atropine
* Ruminants have Atropinase enzyme
how to position ruminants under GA to reduce salivation complications
occiput elevated, nose positioned down
>reduces aspiration
why is bloat a concen for ruminants under GA?
because ventilation is impeded
regurgitation/ aspiration becomes a higher risk for ruminants under GA if:
– struggling
– light at intubation
– bloat
– not off feed
do ruminants require an endotracheal tube for GA? why?
- Mature ruminants-require endotracheal intubation with GA or full unconsciousness
– To protect airway
– To provide ventilatory support - Ruminants -moderately difficult to intubate as they mature
pre-anesthetic prep for ruminants
Physical examination +/- blood-work
Appropriate fasting times
* For the age
Organization
* People necessary and sequence of events
> Larger the animal very important
* Equipment
* Anesthetic agents