Ruminant Anesthesia

Question 1

How long should adult large ruminants be fasted for?

Answer 1

no food 12-18 hrs

no water 8-13 hrs

Question 2

How long should sheep & goats be fasted for?

Answer 2

no food 12-18 hrs

no water 4 hrs

Question 3

How long should calves, lambs, kids be fasted for?

Answer 3

n/a if less than 1 month old

no food for 2-4 hrs if over 1 month

Question 4

What are the 4 common problems w anesthesia?

Answer 4

regurg & aspiration
ruminal tympany
salivation
cardio-respiratory effects

Question 5

How do you minimize the risk of aspiration?

Answer 5

intubate quickly, used cuffed ETT, allow drainage from mouth during GA

Question 6

Why does gas build up during anesthesia & cause bloat?

Answer 6

eructation stops during GA which compresses the diaphragm causing hypoventilation & risk of hypoxemia & hypotension

Question 7

Which vein do you place the IV catheter?

Answer 7

Left jugular vein

Question 8

What size catheter do you use for adult cattle?

Answer 8

12-14 g

Question 9

What size catheter do you use in calves, goats, sheep?

Answer 9

16-18 g

Question 10

What premedication is used?

Answer 10

Ace & Butorphenol

Question 11

What drugs are used for sedation?

Answer 11

Ace
Alpha 2 adrenoceptor agonists (xylazine, detomidine, medetomidine)
Benzodiazepines (diazepam, midazolam)

Question 12

What is the problem w Ace?

Answer 12

increased risk of regurg & contradicted in hypovolemic patients

Question 13

What is the mainstay of pre-med in cattle?

Answer 13

Alpha 2 adrenoceptor agonists

Question 14

What is the side effects of Alpha 2 adrenoceptor agonists?

Answer 14

hypertension & reflex bradycardia

Question 15

What is the effect of Xylazine on ruminants compared to horses?

Answer 15

2x more sensitive, so use 1/10 of the dose

Question 16

What are the 3 reversals for alpha 2 adrenoceptor agonists?

Answer 16

Atipamezole
Yohimbine
Tolazoline

Question 17

Which drugs are Benzodiazepines used in combination w for induction?

Answer 17

Ketamine

Question 18

Do Benzodiazepines have analgesic effect? CV effects? Respiratory effects?

Answer 18

No
minimal
minimal

Question 19

What is the reversal agent for Benzodiazepines?

Answer 19

Flumazenil

Question 20

Which drugs are not recommended for routine use in ruminants & why?

Answer 20

Anticholinergics (Atropine & Glycopyrrolate) bc produce more viscid saliva & decreases GI motility

Question 21

Which NSAIDs are used as analgesia?

Answer 21

Carpofen

Meloxicam

Question 22

Which opioid is used for analgesia?

Answer 22

Butorphenol

Question 23

Which drugs are used for induction?

Answer 23

Ketamine
Telazol
Propofol
Alfazalone

Question 24

How do you intubate cattle?

Answer 24

by direct palpation
adult cattle: 20-30
calves: 8-12

Question 25

How do you intubate small ruminants?

Answer 25

blind, by external palpation
OR
direct visualization
adults: 7-12

Question 26

How do you extubate?

Answer 26

leave ETT in place until chewing on it & leave cuff inflated

Question 27

Why should the ruminant be in sternal recumbancy for recovery?

Answer 27

to help w tympany & enable eructation

Question 28

Why do camels & camelids have a higher erythrocyte count & lower MCV?

Answer 28

they usually live in higher altitude

Question 29

What drugs do you use for sedating a camel/camelid?

Answer 29

Xylazine +/- Butorphenol

Question 30

What drugs are used for induction for camels & camelids?

Answer 30

Guaiphenesin + Ketamine

sometime propofol

Question 31

What drug is used for maintenance in camels/camelids?

Answer 31

Iso