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Exotic Anaesthesia Flashcards

(115 cards)

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1
Q

how do anaesthetic mortality rates in exotics compare to those in companion animals?

A

much higher risk in exotics

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2
Q

what is the issue with history in exotics?

A

often sparse
may have may pre existing conditions which have gone unrecognised
as they are often children’s pets (e.g. hamster) there may be financial constraints

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3
Q

what are the key issues associated with anaesthetising exotic species?

A 
often small
may have completely different anatomy to companion animals
can be dangerous
handling is stressful for the animal
lack of 'standard' equipment
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4
Q

what are the difficulties associated with the often small size of exotic species?

A

accurate weight may be difficult
difficult to examine / auscultate
IV access may be impossible

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5
Q

what are the key issues associated with the eyes of many exotic species?

A

often protuberant
risk of damage to occular surface by mask
e.g. corneal desiccation

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6
Q

in what animals is the pharyngeal pouch found?

A

guinea pigs

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7
Q

what issues are associated with pharyngeal pouches?

A

if pouches have food in this can be pushed into the trachea during intubation

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8
Q

what are the difficulties associated with the mouth anatomy of many exotic species?

A

dentition (e.g. large incisors)
narrow jaw
limited gape
extra pharyngeal tissue which may be obstructive

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9
Q

what does the mouth anatomy of many exotic species mean for intubation?

A

often difficult

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10
Q

what is the metabolic rate of many exotic species like?

A

high

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11
Q

what is the oxygen consumption of many exotic species like?

A

high

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12
Q

what is the rate of glucose consumption in many exotic species like?

A

high

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13
Q

what blood disturbance are many exotic species at risk of due to there high consumption of glucose?

A

hypoglycaemia

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14
Q

why are many exotic species at risk of hypothermia?

A

high surface area:volume ratio
high rate of heat loss
many ectothermic

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15
Q

what are the key difficulties with the respiratory system of exotic species?

A

may be an obligate nasal breather
many have pre-existing, undetected disease
difficult to detect changes with auscultation

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16
Q

what species is an obligate nasal breather?

A

rabbit

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17
Q

what are the key difficulties with the cardiovascular system of exotic species?

A

small vessel size

high HR makes for difficult monitoring

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18
Q

what are the key difficulties with the GI tract of exotic species?

A

may be carnivores or herbivores and have differing dietary needs

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19
Q

what is an issue with rabbit GI tracts?

A

at risk of gut stasis / ilius if they aren’t eating

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20
Q

what are the main concerns between exotic species when under veterinary care?

A 
disease / problem 
species predisposition
drug concerns (licensing in species)
poor husbandry due to lack of knowledge
lack of familiarity
lack of specialist housing
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21
Q

what is a species specific problem found in ferrets?

A

hyperoestrogenism

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22
Q

what is a species specific issue in rabbits?

A

liver torsion

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23
Q

what are the key special considerations with handling / anaesthetising birds?

A 
wide range of species
hide illness well
stressed by restraint
danger to handler
risk of hypothermia and hypoglycaemia
must be weighed accurately
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24
Q

how does a bird breathing system differ from mammals?

A

separate conducting and gas exchange areas
have air sacs, parabronchi and unidirectional flow
movement of sternum is essential for breathing

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25
why must birds be handled very carefully?
require chest to move in order to breathe as they don't have a diaphragm
26
why should ET tubes in birds not be cuffed?
they have complete tracheal rings
27
in what size birds is tracheal intubation possible?
>100g
28
why do muscle relaxants have a profound effect on birds?
both inspiration and expiration are active processes
29
where is IV access best found in birds?
right jugular usually better than left | can also use wing veins and dorsal metatarsal vein
30
how does birds heart rate compare to mammals?
have a large heart and CO so HR is lower
31
what is the metabolic rate of birds like?
high
32
should birds be starved pre-op?
not unless over 200g and dependent on size and species
33
how can birds be encouraged to eat post op?
crop feeding
34
what are the key husbandry considerations of reptiles?
humidity (POTZ) UV Light maybe involve owner
35
what is a big handler risk with reptiles?
zoonosis (on skin)
36
how do reptiles regulate body temperature?
poikilothermic or ectothermic
37
define poikilothermic / ectothermic
temperature can fluctuate in a wide range | temperature control is mostly due to the environment
38
what is the effect on anaesthesia of correctly managing ectothermic animals temperature?
maximise drug absorption. metabolism and elimination minimise potential for lactic acidosis reduce recovery time
39
why is muscle function of anaesthetised reptiles crucial?
no muscular diaphragm
40
is the heart within reptiles in a fixed location?
no heart and organs can move freely
41
are reptiles able to breath hold?
yes
42
when are reptiles larynx open?
only during active respiration?
43
describe the reptillian heart
3 chambers - 2 atria and 1 ventricle
44
what is the result of blood shunting the wrong way in the reptillian heart?
gas mismatching / poor inhalation uptake
45
what makes intubation of reptiles challenging?
fleshy tongue and long soft palette
46
how may reptiles loose moisture?
via respiratory tract
47
how does reptilian O2 consumption compare to companion animals?
lower
48
what is the arrangement of lungs like in many snakes?
single functional right lung and not a pair
49
why should cuffed ET tubes be avoided in reptiles?
many species have complete tracheal rings
50
what is key to remember about snakes eyes?
they don't have eyelids
51
how is gas movement in and out of the respiratory system produced in chelonians?
movement of the limbs
52
do tortoises have a diaphragm?
no
53
what will thermoregulation in chelonia affect?
drug uptake, absorption and distribution
54
what is the MAP of chelonians?
15-30 mmHg
55
how can chelonian respiration be observed?
watching movement of limbs
56
should rabbits/rodents be starved pre-op?
no
57
should guinea pigs be starved pre-op?
0-4hrs prior to ensure pharyngeal pouches are empty
58
should ferrets be starved pre-op?
yes, 6 hours
59
should snakes/reptiles be starved pre-op?
regurgitation is not usually a problem | avoid feeding live insects prior to GA - potentially avoid feeding day as not fed as often as companion species
60
should birds be starved pre-op?
varies between species
61
should tortoises be starved pre-op?
avoid live insects before GA
62
what condition do exotic species often present with?
anorexia
63
what breathing system will be used for most exotics?
T-piece
64
how can drag on the trachea by the breathing system be reduced?
weight of breathing system taken by sandbags
65
what is often the only method of induction available for exotics?
gas induction - must be justified
66
what is crucial about container sizes for gas induction?
appropriate for size of animal to ensure quick induction
67
what must gas chambers have?
inlet and outlet for scavenging
68
where will the out port on a gas chamber be placed in relation to the in port?
higher as warm waste gases will rise
69
why may gas induction not be applicable to some species?
they can breath hold
70
what is the most common airway management method in exotic species?
mask
71
what are the advantages of masks for airway management?
suitable for all species clear mask allows observation easy to use can provide O2 and VA
72
what are the disadvantages of masks for airway management?
personnel safety | no airway protection if animal vomits
73
what are the advantages of ET tubes for airway management?
gold standard accurate gas delivery better for personnel
74
what are the disadvantages of ET tubes for airway management?
not possible in all species may cause trauma care with one lung ventilation - ensure correct placement
75
what are the advantages of V-gels (SGA) for airway management?
great for rabbits quick and easy to use online training available cost effective
76
what are the diadvantages of V-Gels (SGA) for airway management?
not a substitute for intubation requires multiple sizes weight dependent not always easy to keep in place (especially if animal is being moved regularly) must have capnography to confirm placement
77
why can intubation in birds sometimes be easier?
no epiglottis
78
why is pain relief essential in rabbits?
must eat - if in pain will stop eating
79
how can rabbits be fed ASAP post operatively?
syringe feeding - avoids gut stasis
80
what are the main routes of drug administration in exotic species?
``` IV IM IP SC IO inhalation oral ```
81
what veins may be used for IV injection in exotics?
usual - cephalic and saphenous basilic vein (wing medial tarsal right jugular
82
what muscles may be used for IM injection in exotic species?
usual sites | pectoral in birds
83
what bones may IO injections be placed in in exotic species?
cranial tibiotarsus | ulna
84
what are exotic species susceptible to following drug admin?
abscessation and septicaemia
85
what can be done to reduce abscessation and septicaemia following drug admin in exotic species?
aseptic preparation
86
what should be done following SC or IM injection?
massage site
87
what is monitoring of exotic anaesthetic reliant on?
reflexes
88
what reflexes can be monitored in exotic species?
the Righting reflex withdrawal reflexes jaw tone
89
what is the Righting reflex?
vestibular system will correct orientation of body if it is incorrect (head will follow body - test by placing animal on its back and seeing if it turns over)
90
what pulses should be monitored in exotic species?
peripheral if possible - central if not
91
what is essential about any monitoring device used for exotic species?
can count up to and over 200BPM
92
where can pulse ox be attached on exotic species?
foot or tail base as tongue may be too small
93
what capnography is best for exotic species?
mainstream - to stop delay in CO2 readings that is associated with sidestream sampling
94
How can ECG leads be attached?
cut pads to size and attach to feet / limbs | needle electrodes
95
where should ECG pads be placed on ferrets/rats?
pad of foot
96
where should pads be placed on rabbits?
metacarpal / tarsal
97
what are needle electrodes?
SC hypodermic needle attached to crocodile clip
98
what type of BP monitoring is most common in exotics?
doppler (indirect)
99
what can doppler BP also be used for?
apex beat / CO monitoring
100
in what species can doppler BP monitoring be used?
wide variety - particularly good in rabbits
101
what can be useful about doppler monitoring in species with no BP values?
can be used to track trends
102
when is direct BP monitoring often used in exotics?
lab settings
103
what arteries are often used for direct BP in exotics?
carotid femoral tail
104
what should exotic temperature be monitored with?
rectal probe (mind size used!) as mask will make oral difficult
105
what can the doppler probe be used for as well as BP monitoring?
placed over heart to give audible heart rate
106
where should a doppler be placed on a snake when using it as a stethoscope?
place on apex beat
107
where should a doppler be placed on a snake when using it as a stethoscope?
apex beat
108
what is apex beat?
most inferolateral point on the chest where the cardiac pulsation can be palpated
109
where should a doppler be placed on chelonians when using it as a stethoscope?
at the thoracic inlet or on the plastron at the junctio between the pectoral and abdominal scutes (in smaller species)
110
where should a doppler be placed on a lizard when using it as a stethoscope?
at thoracic inlet, over the thoracic girdle or aimed close from behind
111
how long should monitoring of exotic anaesthesia take place?
should be continuous until the animal is moving around
112
what should be done during recovery from anaesthesia in exotics?
temperature regulated and monitored in a safe environment pain managed - particularly in prey species encourage to eat (maybe not in reptiles)
113
what is crucial about pain management in exotic species?
learn about pain signs in the specific species you are treating
114
what are signs of acute pain in exotic species?
``` withdrawal of painful limb escape behaviours avoidance aggression restlessness increased resp rate ```
115
what are signs of chronic pain in exotics?
immobility 'stinting' aggression - not as easy to identify as acute

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