Surgical Nursing of Small Mammals Flashcards
How do we carry out a pre-op assessment for small mammals?
Thorough - they will hide signs of illness!
Check respiration and cardiovascular status
Record an accurate weight
Pre-anaesthetic blood samples may be advisable
How do we prep for surgery?
Pre-empt blood loss (place catheter, prep fluids)
Pre-empt heat loss (hot hands/heat pad)
Pre-empt post-induction apnoea (pre-oxygenation)
Clip - care with thin skin, only clip area needed to reduce heat loss
Avoid alcohol as will cool body
What support can we provide during GA?
Prevent heat loss, but care not to overheat
Intubation of rabbits and ferrets
Monitoring - direct of heart/respiration, pulse ox., capnograph, rectal thermometer
Raise chest
Mechanical ventilation may be helpful
What are the potential post-op complications?
Haemorrhage Hypothermia Gut stasis Hypoglycaemia Pain Wound healing
How can we manage potential haemorrhage?
Monitor heart rate/MMs/pulse quality for signs of shock
Maintain IV access in case it is required
Monitor wounds for haemorrhage
How can we manage potential hypothermia?
Maintain in an incubator or on a heat pad during recovery
Monitor rectal temperature
Transfer to cooler environment once temp. normal to avoid overheating
How can we manage potential gut stasis?
Encourage to eat as soon as possible, syringe feed
Prokinetics (ranitidine)
Pain relief
Monitor for droppings (may not produce any for 24hrs)
How can we manage potential hypoglycaemia?
Encourage to eat
If not responding, check blood glucose
How can we manage pain?
Difficult to assess so make sure adequate pain relief is given
Opioids and NSAIDs
How can we care for wounds post-op?
Dressings not generally used
Surgical closure with buried sutures +/- glue is preferable
Buster collars may be advantageous in some species
Clean, dry bedding - avoid straw/hay initially
What common surgical procedures are carried out on small mammals?
Neutering - spay/castration (ferret vasectomy) Lump/abscess removal GI obstruction Bladder stones Enucleation Liver lobe torsion Dentistry
What factors can contribute to dental disease?
Inadequate grass/hay in diet = teeth wear differently and overgrow (not enough fibre and different chewing action)
Calcium in diet may affect teeth formation
Breeding can affect teeth
How can we diagnose dental disease?
Clinical exam - weight loss, ptyalism, swellings on ventral border of mandible
Teeth may be examined with an otoscope
Good skull radiographs important in assessing teeth
Malocclusion can be controlled but rarely cured
How can we treat dental disease?
Appropriate rodent dental gag is needed to access molar teeth
Spurs can be removed and crown height reduced using a molar burr with guard
Incisors can be reshaped with a dental burr/cutting disc
Correct dietary problems
