VCS 226-Anesthesia Tutoring-Small Mammals
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What should a veterinary nurse know about anesthetic drugs for small mammals?
Know the drugs the veterinarian chooses and understand their effects
What is important to obtain during pre-anesthetic evaluation?
Detailed history and husbandry information
What is recommended for assessing a small mammal's body weight?
Gram scale
PCV, TP, and BG
Why is familiarity with species-specific diseases important?
It helps assess risk factors like chronic respiratory disease
Why do ferrets require fasting before anesthesia?
They can vomit under anesthesia
Should rabbits be fasted before anesthesia?
No fasting usually needed, but grains/pellets should be withheld
What risk is associated with grains/pellets in rabbits before anesthesia?
It can cause bloat under anesthesia
What should be checked before anesthetizing guinea pigs?
Ensure their cheek pouches are empty
Why must guinea pig cheek pouches be emptied before anesthesia?
To avoid regurgitation and aspiration
How can stress be reduced before anesthesia in small mammals?
Provide a warm, dark, quiet environment for a few hours
Why is stress reduction important in small mammals before anesthesia?
Stress can worsen illness and anesthesia outcomes
What systemic conditions should be stabilized before anesthesia?
Hypothermia, hydration, and blood glucose
Why should O2 supplementation be considered before anesthesia?
Due to possible chronic respiratory disease
What is the blood volume range for small mammals?
50-80 ml/kg
What is a standard pre-anesthetic SQ fluid bolus for small mammals?
20-30 ml/kg SQ
How much fluid does a 4x4 gauze sponge typically absorb?
About 7 ml
Why do small mammals have less tolerance for hemorrhage?
They have low blood volume and stress easily
Why is anesthesia monitoring challenging in small mammals?
Their small size and limited access
What reflexes are used to monitor anesthesia depth in rabbits?
auricular reflexes
Why should alligator ECG clamps not be used?
They can cause pressure necrosis or burns
What heart rate can rabbits and mice reach under normal conditions?
Rabbits up to 350 bpm, mice up to 600 bpm
Why might a heart rate than you can count be a warning sign in small mammals?
It may indicate bradycardia or arrest
What is important to protect during anesthesia maintenance?
The eyes (using eye drops or lube)
Name three ways to maintain body temperature during small mammal anesthesia.
Warm water blanket, heat lamp, bair hugger
Why are small mammals at risk for hypoglycemia during anesthesia?
Due to small body size and high metabolism
Where should small mammals recover post-operatively?
In a visible, quiet, and warm place
How can stress be minimized during recovery?
Minimum handling and covering the cage
What opioid is commonly used post-operatively in small mammals?
Buprenorphine
Why is a clear recovery cage door useful?
It allows observation without disturbing the patient
List three common anesthesia complications in small mammals.
Hypothermia, respiratory depression, cardiovascular collapse.
Why is CPR often ineffective in small mammals?
They are prey animals and do not respond well to resuscitation
What 4 steps can help minimize anesthesia complications in small mammals?
Close monitoring, patient stabilization, short anesthesia times, pain management
Should small mammals have routine anesthetic protocols?
No, they should be individualized
What should you do after three failed intubation attempts?
Use a face mask for anesthesia maintenance
Why avoid repeated intubation attempts?
To prevent laryngeal trauma and edema
What inhalants are commonly used in small mammals?
Sevoflurane and Isoflurane
What are advantages of sevoflurane compared to isoflurane?
Faster induction and faster recovery
Why is premedication important when using inhalant anesthetics?
To lower maintenance concentration and support cardiovascular function
Why must injectable anesthetics be used cautiously in small mammals?
They are not titratable and risk overdose
What must always accompany injectable anesthesia in small mammals?
Oxygen supplementation
What two drug classes should be part of multimodal analgesia?
Local anesthetics and NSAIDs
What is the more commonly used NSAID for small mammals?
Meloxicam
Why is stress dangerous for rabbits under anesthesia?
It can cause cardiovascular collapse
What disease often causes respiratory problems in rabbits?
Pasteurellosis
Why should rabbits be preoxygenated before anesthesia?
To improve oxygenation due to possible respiratory disease
How should a rabbit be restrained to prevent lumbar injury?
Support the back legs and spine while restraining the chest
Why can gas accumulation in the abdomen affect rabbit breathing?
It compresses the diaphragm and thoracic cavity
Why do rabbits require higher doses of atropine?
They produce atropine esterase that breaks it down
What drug is preferred over atropine for rabbits needing longer action?
Glycopyrrolate
What veins are commonly used for IV access in rabbits?
Ear vein, cephalic, lateral metatarsal
Where are IM injections typically given in rabbits?
Thigh or lumbar muscles
Where should a blood pressure cuff be placed on a rabbit?
At the base of the ear
What body position is used for rabbit intubation?
Sternal recumbency with full head and neck extension
How can you confirm ET tube placement in rabbits?
Look for condensation in the tube
What does a laryngeal mask provide during rabbit anesthesia?
It covers the larynx for effective positive pressure ventilation
Name a premedication combination for healthy rabbits.
Ketamine, midazolam, and butorphanol
What drug combination is in T.T.Dex?
Telazol, butorphanol, and dexmedetomidine
How is anesthesia maintained during rabbit dental procedures?
By covering the nose with a syringe case mask after induction
Why must guinea pig cheek pouches be emptied before intubation?
To prevent food aspiration into the lungs
What secretion can cause ET tube obstruction in guinea pigs?
Thick bronchial secretions
What nutritional deficiency commonly affects guinea pigs?
Vitamin C deficiency
Where can IV access be attempted in guinea pigs?
Cephalic vein or intraosseous catheter
What is the palatal ostium?
A small opening between the soft palate and tongue base
If intubation is difficult in guinea pigs, how should anesthesia be maintained?
Via a face mask
What IM premedications are commonly used in guinea pigs and chinchillas?
Butorphanol and midazolam
What anesthetic agents are used for induction in guinea pigs and chinchillas?
Isoflurane or sevoflurane via face mask
How long should ferrets be fasted before anesthesia?
4-6 hours
Why is hypoglycemia a concern in ferrets?
Underlying disease or prolonged fasting
Where can IV catheters be placed in ferrets?
Cephalic, saphenous, or jugular veins
What size ET tubes are typically used for ferrets?
2.0 to 3.5 mm internal diameter
What drug reduces laryngospasm during ferret intubation?
Lidocaine
What analgesics are recommended for ferrets?
Butorphanol or buprenorphine
How should hypotension be managed in anesthetized ferrets?
Provide IV fluids and avoid high doses of acepromazine
Name common premedications for ferrets.
Glycopyrrolate, butorphanol, buprenorphine, midazolam, acepromazine, demedetomidine
What premedication should be avoided in hypovolemic ferrets?
Acepromazine
What is a preferred protocol for healthy ferrets?
Butorphanol and midazolam with face mask induction using isoflurane or sevoflurane
What is an alternative ferret protocol for short procedures?
Ketamine and dexmedetomidine with butorphanol
What is a challenge when anesthetizing hedgehogs?
Their spines make handling and access difficult
Why must IM injections be deep in hedgehogs?
They have a thick layer of subcutaneous fat
How are hedgehogs commonly induced for anesthesia?
With isoflurane or sevoflurane in a chamber
Why is IM injection risky in small rodents?
It can cause self-mutilation due to irritation
What alternative injection route can be used in small rodents?
Intraperitoneal (IP) injection
What is a common injectable anesthetic combination for small rodents?
Ketamine with diazepam or an alpha-2 agonist
Why is inhalant anesthesia preferred in small rodents?
It allows quicker recovery and fewer complications
What specialized tool is available for rat intubation?
A commercial rat intubation kit
Why should anesthetic protocols be kept simple for small mammals?
To avoid complications while still providing adequate analgesia