Untitled document Flashcards
What is the primary control center for the body?
The nervous system regulates and controls all of the body’s systems.
What are the two main divisions of the nervous system?
The central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system.
What does the central nervous system include?
The brain and the spinal cord.
What does the peripheral nervous system include?
The nerves that connect the brain to the muscles, glands, and various receptors in the body.
What is the basic unit of the nervous system?
The neuron.
What are the fibers carrying electrical impulses into the neuron called?
Dendrites.
What are the fibers carrying information away from each neuron called?
Axons.
What happens at the ends of the axons?
Electrical impulses are converted into chemical messages at synaptic end-bulbs.
What are neurotransmitters?
Chemicals released that cross the junction and bind to receptors on the dendrite.
What are the two types of drugs that act at synaptic junctions?
Drugs that stimulate neurotransmitter activity (-mimetics) and drugs that disrupt neurotransmitter activity (-lytics).
What is the somatic nervous system responsible for?
Connecting the central nervous system to skeletal muscles for voluntary movements.
What does the autonomic nervous system control?
Body functions that are not under conscious control, such as blood pressure and gland secretion.
What are the two parts of the autonomic nervous system?
The sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.
What is the main neurotransmitter of the sympathetic nervous system?
Epinephrine (adrenaline).
What is the main neurotransmitter of the parasympathetic nervous system?
Acetylcholine.
What are cholinergic agents?
Agents that stimulate receptor sites mediated by acetylcholine.
What are common uses for cholinergic agents?
Diagnosing myasthenia gravis, reducing eye pressures with glaucoma, and treating urinary retention.
What are anticholinergic agents?
Agents that block the action of acetylcholine at muscarinic receptors.
What are adrenergic agents?
Agents that act at sites mediated by epinephrine and norepinephrine.
What are common side effects of adrenergic drugs?
Tachycardia, hypertension, nervousness, and cardiac arrhythmias.
What are beta-blockers used for?
Treating glaucoma, arrhythmias, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
What are the three categories of barbiturates based on length of action?
Long-acting, short-acting, and ultrashort-acting.
What is a common use for ultrashort-acting barbiturates?
Anesthesia.
What are dissociative agents?
Drugs that cause the animal to undergo catalepsy.
What effect does opental have on respiration?
Opental will cause apnea; too slow an infusion will cause CNS excitement.
How should thiopental be infused?
It’s recommended to give 1/3 to 1/2 of the thiopental rapidly and then the rest slowly.
Dogs often yawn when they’ve received an adequate amount of thiopental.
Why should barbiturates not be used in sight hounds?
Sight hounds neither metabolize the drug well nor have lots of body fat for drug redistribution.
What are the effects of dissociative agents?
Dissociative agents cause catalepsy, amnesia, analgesia, and increased muscle tone, while leaving the swallowing reflex intact.
When should dissociative agents be used?
Dissociative agents should be used for restraint, diagnostic procedures, and minor surgery (not abdominal surgery).
What are common side effects of recovery from dissociative agents?
Recovery can involve tremors, spasticity, and convulsions.
What is the street name for Ketamine?
The street name for Ketamine is Special K.
What should be done to protect the eyes of animals receiving Ketamine?
The animal’s eyes should be lubricated with an ophthalmic lubricant to prevent them from drying out.
What is Telazol?
Telazol is a combination of Tiletamine and Zolazepam, used for anesthesia.
What are the risks of using Ketamine and Telazol intramuscularly?
Both Ketamine and Telazol can burn when given intramuscularly.
What are opioids?
Opioids are compounds derived from opium poppy alkaloids or synthetic drugs with similar properties.
What receptors do opioids affect?
Opioids combine with receptors named mu, kappa, sigma, delta, and epsilon in the brain.
What are examples of natural and synthetic opioids?
Natural opioids include opium and morphine; synthetic opioids include oxymorphone, butorphanol tartrate, and fentanyl.
What is Tramadol used for?
Tramadol is prescribed to control pain and cause mild sedation in dogs.
What are opioid antagonists?
Opioid antagonists, such as naloxone, block the effects of opioids by binding with opiate receptors.
What is the function of neuroleptanalgesics?
Neuroleptanalgesics combine an opioid and a tranquilizer to produce reduced awareness and analgesia.
What is the only commercially available neuroleptanalgesic?
The only commercially available neuroleptanalgesic is Innovar-Vet, a combination of fentanyl and droperidol.
What are common side effects of neuroleptanalgesics?
Side effects include panting, increased sound sensitivity, and bradycardia.
What drugs are used to treat seizures acutely?
Injectable valium and pentobarbital are used to treat seizures acutely.
What is the long-term treatment for seizures?
Long-term treatment includes phenobarbital with or without potassium bromide.
What should be monitored in long-term phenobarbital use?
Long-term use may require dosage adjustment over time due to enzyme induction in the liver.
What is Propofol?
Propofol is a short-acting hypnotic agent that produces sedation, restraint, or unconsciousness.
What are the drawbacks of Propofol?
Propofol is more expensive and bacteria can easily grow in its egg-based medium.
What are inhalant anesthetics used for?
Isoflurane and sevoflurane are used to induce general anesthesia.
What is the function of Guaifenesin?
Guaifenesin is a skeletal muscle relaxant used for general horse anesthesia.
What is Doxapram used for?
Doxapram is a respiratory stimulant used in dogs, cats, and horses.
What are neuromuscular blocking agents used for?
Neuromuscular blocking agents are used to paralyze the diaphragm, stopping breathing.
What is behavioral pharmacotherapy?
Behavioral pharmacotherapy uses drugs to treat various behavioral problems in animals.
What are common antianxiety medications?
Benzodiazepines like diazepam, alprazolam, and lorazepam are commonly used.
What are side effects of benzodiazepines?
Side effects include lethargy, ataxia, polyuria, polydipsia, hyperexcitability, and liver problems.
What is the purpose of antidepressant medications?
Antidepressants block reuptake of norepinephrine and serotonin in the brain.
What are tricyclic antidepressants used for?
Tricyclic antidepressants treat obsessive disorders, fearful aggression, hyperactivity, and urine marking.
What are serotonin-reuptake inhibitors?
These drugs increase serotonin levels by preventing its removal from the brain.
What is Selegiline used for?
Selegiline is used to treat canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome in older dogs.
What are synthetic progestins used for?
Synthetic progestins are used to treat behavioral problems associated with hormonal changes.
What are common side effects of synthetic progestins?
Side effects can include transient diabetes, polyuria, weight gain, and mammary tumors.
What are euthanasia agents used for?
Euthanasia agents are used to relieve suffering by ending an animal’s life humanely.
What is the active ingredient in most euthanasia agents?
Most euthanasia agents use pentobarbital as the active ingredient.
