Ruminant & Pig anesthesia

Why is ruminant anesthesia generally preformed less often?

• Effectiveness of blocking techniques

• Continuous production of saliva

• Rumen and forestomachs occupy 75% of abdominal cavity

How does the rumen and forestomachs occupying a large part of the abdominal cavity affect anesthesia?

• Means long periods of fasting are needed

• Makes ventilating on their own really difficult

Preanesthetic ruminant preparation

• Thorough history should be obtained

• Patient examination not always possible

• PCV/TP sufficient in healthy patients

• Fasting: 12-48 hours

What supplies should you have ready for ruminant intubation?

• ET-tube

• Stylet, various types/sizes

• Cuff syringe

• Eye-lubricant

• Something to secure tube - tie gauze, tape

• Drugs

Why is it important to have a inflatable cuff-syringe for a ruminant?

• Continuous rumen regurgitation and saliva flow

• Want the contents to go back down esophagus rather than in trachea and aspired into the lungs

What are some of the preferred drugs for pre-meds?

• Xylazine

• Benzodiazepines

• Butorphanol

• GG

GG

Guaifenesin

What premed is considered controversial for ruminants?

• Anticholingerics

• Maybe slightly drier, but makes for difficult to deal with - ropey saliva when given

Aim for —,—-, induction with —- intubation

quick, safe, quick

What intubation drugs are used for ruminants?

For smaller ruminants:

• Propofol

• Ketamine/diazepam

For larger ruminants:

• Usually GK (GG + 1 gm ketamine) to effect after moderate sedation with pre-med

• Ketamine/diazepam may also be used

What is essential for GA of any size ruminant

A patent catheter

Where should the head be kept for ruminants?

• Head should be kept elevated, perpendicular to the ground to reduce chances of aspiration (sternal positioning)

• Regurgitated content goes back down the esophagus

Smaller ruminants usually require a —- to intubate

stylet

What about ruminants makes intubation difficult?

• Long,drooping soft palates and limited jaw opening

What is the fluid rate for ruminants?

5-10 mL/kg/hr

What should you remember to do when intubating?

• larger ruminants needed to be palpated

• Always remember a mouth speculum

What is different about ruminants than with equine patients?

They have a higher BP and HR than equine patients

What is the normal systolic and MAP for ruminants?

• Systolics greater than 180mmHg often

• MAP ideally over 80mmHg, but 60 mmHg is minimum

Monitoring notes for ruminants

• Direct BP - ear artery

• Monitor eyes (like a dog)

• Keep well padded

• Pull bottom front limb forwards and support upper limbs

For recovery, how should you position a ruminant?

• Keep in sternal recumbency with head supported laterally with spine

When should you extubate for a ruminant?

• When beginning to chew/swallow

• Keep cuff partially inflated

• Keeps eructated contents above cuff to be removed with ET tube

What are some difficulties when anesthetizing a pig?

• Restraint

• Few accessible arteries and veins

• Tracheal intubation more challenging

• Malignant hyperthermia - usually from stress

• Difficult IM injections - tough skin, cervical muscle ideal

How long should you fast a pig for?

Hold food for 12 hours, water for 6

IV catheter induction for pigs drugs

• IV ketamine/diazepam may be used

• IV Propofol

What is the preferred method of induction for pigs?

IM induction

What drugs can Telazol be reconstituted with?

• Xylazine

• Butorphanol

• Dexmedetomidine

What is recovery like for pigs?

• Nice calm recovery

• Keep sternal for easier ventilation

• Usually begin walking around after drugs have worn off

• Remove ET tube after swallowing if intubated

What veins may be accessible in pediatric pigs?

cephalic and saphenous

What monitoring equipment is used in pigs?

• Count HR/RR

• ECG

• NIBP

• SpO2 probe

Intubation in pigs

• Limited view of larynx

• Laryngospasm easily obtained

• Larynx is log and mobile

• May have excess salivary secreation

• Use of stylet preferred