Pregnancy, C-Section, and Age Considerations

Question 1

What are the CV changes during pregnancy?

Answer 1

• increased CO, HR, and stroke volume
• decreased PCV
• aortocaval compression
• decreased cardiac reserve

Question 2

What are the respiratory changes during pregnancy?

Answer 2

• increased oxygen consumption
• decreased PaCO2
• decreased pulmonary resistance

Question 3

What are the GI changes during pregnancy?

Answer 3

• delayed gastric emptying
• increased gastric acidity
• decreased LES tone
• increased risk of regurgitation/aspiration

Question 4

What are the renal changes during pregnancy?

Answer 4

• increased GFR

- decreased BUN and creatinine

Question 5

Which sedatives cause fetal depression in pregnant small animals?

Answer 5

acepromazine

benzodiazepines

Question 6

What are the effects of alpha-2 agonists on pregnant small animals, and large animals?

Answer 6

S: decrease CO
L: increased uterine pressure and decreased O2 delivery to fetus

Question 7

Which sedatives are used in pregnant large animals?

Answer 7

• alpha-2 agonists
• detomidine
• benzodiazepines

Question 8

Which induction agents are used for pregnant animals/C-sections?

Answer 8

• propofol
• aflaxalone
• etomidate
• ketamine

Question 9

What are the complications with epidurals in pregnant animals?

Answer 9

• increased volume of epidural blood vessels and increased epidural fat
• decreases epidural space and increases cranial spread of drugs
• leads to hypotension

Question 10

What are the cardiovascular features in young animals?

Answer 10

• minimal ability to increase contractility
• immature sympathetic nervous system
• increased extracellular fluid volume
• higher metabolic rate

Question 11

What are the respiratory features in young animals?

Answer 11

• high RR/minute ventilation

- minimal pulmonary reserve

Question 12

What are the hematologic features in young animals?

Answer 12

• PCV decreases 1/3 in first 28 days
• decrease in O2 delivery
• hypoalbuminemia

Question 13

What are the hepatic and renal features in young animals?

Answer 13

• deficient hepatic microsomal enzymes
  (prolonged drug effects)
• decreased GRF
• kidneys less efficient

Question 14

What sedatives are used for young animal anesthesia?

Answer 14

benzodiazepines

Question 15

Which drugs are not recommended for use in young animal anesthesia?

Answer 15

• phenothiazines
• alpha-2 agonists
• NSAIDs

Question 16

What are the cardiovascular features in geriatric animals?

Answer 16

• dependent on atrial kick and normal sinus rhythm for cardiac output
• limited ability to increase HR
• rely on increased stroke volume to increase CO
• decreased arterial compliance, myocardial compliance, and max HR and CO

Question 17

What are the respiratory features in geriatric animals?

Answer 17

• overall decrease in function and efficacy

- decreased gas exchange, vital capacity, thoracic compliance, lung elasticity, and PaO2

Question 18

What are the hepatic and renal features of geriatric animals?

Answer 18

• decreased liver mass
  (decreased drug clearance)
• decreased kidney mass and functional nephrons
• decreased GFR, ability to concentrate urine, and ability to correct volume and electrolytes

Question 19

What sedatives can be used in geriatric animals?

Answer 19

• benzidiazepines
• phenothiazines
• alpha-2 agonists

Question 20

Which drugs are not recommended to use as premed for geriatric animals?

Answer 20

anticholinergics