Anaesthesia in Swine Flashcards
(32 cards)
How large is a newborn piglet and how much can an adult pig wheigh?
Piglet: 1kg
Adult: 350-400 kg (boar)
What is important to consider before anaesthesia, since the pig dont have much hair?
They have large amount of subcutanous fat, and they can therefore suffer from heat loss or overheat easily.
Name some special considerations in general with pigs
Its hard to catch them, because they are “slippery” and short ears
Pigs are loud, they scream
They are very intelligent. They can be trained, but also learn bad habits easily
The temparament is releated to age: Boars and sows w/piglets can be agressive
Name some special approaches before anaesthesia in pigs
We withheld food for 12 hrs, or even 1 day
Withhold water for piglets, but not for older pigs
Stress need to be minimized
Why do we withheld water for piglets before anaesthesia?
Because they compensate the feed with water
What is important to consider with a dark pig vs a pink pig, and in general?
Dark pig can get heatstroke, the pink pig can get sunburned.
In cold conditions they can get hypothermia
It is important to protect they eyes from dust and sunlight
Why is it important to reduce stress of a pig before anaeshesia?
Because some pigs have a disease called malignant hyperthermia, which is caused by a genetic problem – mutation problem. If they are stressed they can overheat = 42-44 degrees –> they will die
Terminology:
Relief from pain
Analgesia
Terminology:
Loss of sensation and loss of ability to feel pain
Anaesthesia
Terminology:
To calm an animal that is nervous, vicious or exited
Sedation
Terminology:
Loss of consciousness combined with decreased ability to feel pain and decreased motor response
General anaesthesia
Terminology:
Loss of sensation in a limited body area
Local anaesthesia
How many different ways to achiece general anaesthesia, name them.
Inhalational
Injections - IM or IV
IM to the neck muscle, either single or multipe injections
IV. Both single and slow drop infusion
Which vein(s) can we use for IV in pigs in single injections?
Jugular vein
V. cava cranialis
V. Auricularis (Major ear vein)
Which vein(s) can we use for IV in pigs in case of maintenance or repetition?
ONLY v. auricularis
What other types of anaesthesia can we use in pigs?
Epidural anaesthesia - we use lumbosacrals
Local anaesthesia: Intratesticular, done before castration
Which drug(s) is common to use in pigs for sedation and premedication?
Azaperone - Only drug that is licenced for pigs
Also exists:
- Acepromazine
- Benzodiazepine
- Alpha-2-agonists
What is the dosage range of Azaperone?
1-8 mg/kg
The dosage is dependent on the animal size, the surface area.
Smaller animal, more surface are and more drugs needed.
Exam question: Smaller animal=bigger dose, Bigger animal=smaller dose
Sow: 1mg/kg
Piglets: 4mg/kg
What are the side effects of azaperone?
Penile prolapse
If used in cold condition it can cause heat loss, peripheral vasodilation, cardiovasvular collapse
which drugs belong to benzodiazepine?
Diazepam, midazolam and zolazepam
How is benzodiazepin used in pigs?
Mainly used in combination.
Midazolam is better then diazepam, because midazolam is water soluble and has a better bioavailability.
They are given “intranasal” or “rectal application”
Main drug group for human epiliepsy
Name the drugs under Alpha-2-agonists, that are used in pigs
Xylazine
Detomidine
Medetomidine
Romifidin
The Alpha-2-agonists are ONLY used in combinations, because the pigs are not sensitive to them. The effect is close to 0.
In which order, from highest to lowest, will you rate the potent for xylazine in animals?
Cow –> horse –> pig
What is the “field anaesthesia” and which drugs is used for it?
It is a anaesthesia that will give a lloss of conscience for about 20-30 minutes, enough for small and basic surgery
Drugs: medetomidine, ketamine and butorphanol
