Lecture 27: Exotic Animal Anesthesia (Study Guide)

ferret techniques/protocols are similar to

dogs and cats

why is fasting not necessary for ferrets?

they have fast metabolism, so fasting would cause hypoglycemia

why should you use caution when restraining ferrets?

they have sharp teeth

common reasons for ferret anesthesia includes

spaying/neutering, insulinoma, adrenal tumors, FB and trauma

monitor ferrets for

hypoglycemia and hypothermia

what should you obtain for small mammals?

accurate BW

small rodents and rabbits do not vomit so, this means

• NPO not required

• hypoglycemia → offer food immediately after they awaken

what injections should be considered for small mammals?

intraperitoneal

what should not be used alone for small mammals?

ketamine → alpha2-agonist

what is commonly used for small mammal anesthesia?

buprenorphine

why do small mammals have rapid cooling under anesthesia?

increased surface area to body weight ratio

what anesthetic is very useful for all small mammals, ferrets, and rabbits?

sevoflurane

what animal has an increased anesthetic risk compared to dogs and cats?

rabbits

rabbit fasting

minimize to no more than 1 hour

how should rabbits be restrained?

supporting the rump and tuck the head or make a bunny burrito

true or false: rabbits have a high metabolic rate and rapid elimination of drugs.

true

what should you always do for rabbit anesthesia?

premedicate

what combos are very useful for rabbits?

alfaxalone combos → midazolam provides good sedation

isoflurane and sevoflurane for rabbits is typically used for

maintenance

rabbits have higher anesthetic morbidity/mortality because of

intubation

what is a must when intubating rabbits?

preoxygenation

intubation of rabbits

• use 2-4 mm ID ETT

• keep head and neck in extension to prevent obstruction

• spray lidocaine on the larynx

• supraglottic airway devices are easier to position and less traumatic

what kind of breathers are rabbits?

obligate nasal breathers → check patency of nares and nasopharynx after extubation

what is highly efficient in birds?

they have a separate ventilator and gas exchange compartments

complete tracheal rings in birds

• can collapse during restraint

• trachea is about 2.7x longer, 1.3x wider and tracheal dead space 4x > than similar sized mammals

true or false: birds have larger TV and lower RR.

true

true or false: birds have a diaphragm.

false

how do birds breathe with no diaphragm?

• inspiration and expiration are active

• need 2 complete cycles of inspiration and expiration to completely exchange gas

what adds space to bird respiratory system?

pneumatized bones

what must be treated in birds immediately?

apnea from breathing room air

bird HR

150-1000 bpm

what can fasting do for birds?

can help clear crop → not for smaller birds and not if hypoglycemic

what type of restraint should birds have?

towel restraint

if a bird is stressed before anesthesia, you should

let them calm down

how should hypothermia be prevented in birds?

warm fluids at 5-10 ml/kg/hr

IV catheter sites for birds

ulnar, medial metatarsal, jugular veins

intraosseous catheter sites for birds

distal ulna and proximal tibiotarsus → pneumatic bones

what response is seen in some waterfowl?

dive response → premed to prevent and be ready to support

what should you do before bird induction?

pre-oxygenate if possible

what can be given intranasally to birds?

midazolam

what drugs should be combined for birds?

ketamine and midazolam

what can propofol cause in birds?

marked effects → apnea

local anesthetics for birds are extremely useful but should be

carefully calculated based on weight

what is used commonly for bird drugs?

NSAIDs and opioids