I The preanesthetic evaluation (history, physical condition, physical examination) informs the choice and dose of anesthetics to be used for a procedure II The history and physical examination are the basis of the evaluation of the animal; the need for further workup is indicated by abnormalities found during physical examination or historical information that suggests altered body function III Laboratory tests are not an acceptable substitute for a thorough physical examination IV Dosing requirements should be carefully considered and are based on the animal’s health, previous drug history (drug interactions are possible), and body condition A Drug dosing for emaciated or obese animals should be adjusted downward B More ideal dosing is obtained by administering unit doses on the basis of body surface area (mg/m2) rather than body weight (mg/kg) Body surface area (BSA) formula for cats and dogs (see Table 1-1) V A patent airway must be maintained in every animal VI A patent IV route must be maintained for all animals that are at high risk of complications VII Anticipate likely untoward events based on history, physical status, and the procedure VIII An emergency cart with appropriate resuscitative drugs and antagonists should be maintained (see Chapters 28 and 29) II Client complaint and anamnesis (history) A Duration and severity of illness B Concurrent symptoms or disease C Level of activity (exercise intolerance?) D Timing of most recent feeding E Previous and current administration of drugs 1. Organophosphates (insecticides) 2. Analgesic medications (nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, fentanyl patch) 5. Behavior-modifying drugs (reserpine, chlorpromazine, clomipramine) a. Inotropes (digitalis glycosides, phosphodiesterase inhibitors) c. Antiarrhythmic drugs (e.g., lidocaine, sotalol) d. Calcium channel blockers (afterload reducers) e. ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitors or angiotensin blockers (enalapril) A Heart rate and mean arterial blood pressure ranges (Table 2-1) TABLE 2-1 Normal Heart Rate and Mean Arterial Blood Pressure Ranges B Pulse quality and regularity C Arterial blood pressure; central venous pressure D Capillary refill time (<1.5 seconds) and color (endotoxemia?) A Respiratory rate, volume, and effort 1. Pallor (anemia or vasoconstriction) 2. Cyanosis (respiratory insufficiency, >5 g/dL of unoxygenated hemoglobin) C Auscultation (presence or absence of breath sounds over thorax) D Upper airway obstruction (snoring? stridor?) VII Nervous system and special senses A Temperature (hypothermia, hyperthermia) C Hyperthyroidism/hypothyroidism D Hyperadrenocorticism/hypoadrenocorticism B Neoplasia (pulmonary metastasis) C Subcutaneous emphysema (fractured ribs) D Parasites (fleas, mites); anemia F Burns (fluid and electrolyte loss) I Minimum laboratory evaluation (Table 2-2) TABLE 2-2
Animal Evaluation and Preparation
Overview
General Considerations
Evaluating the Animal
Current Physical Examination
Animal
Heart Rate (beats/min)
Mean Arterial Blood Pressure
(mm Hg)
Dog
70-100
70-100
Cat
100-200
80-120
Horse
30-45
70-90
Foal
50-80
60-80
Cow
60-80
90-140
Sheep, goat
60-90
80-110
Pig
60-90
80-110
Preanesthetic Laboratory Workup
Parameter
Dog
Cat
Horse
Cow
Sheep
Pig
Plasma protein (g/dL)
5.7-7.2
5.6-7.4
6.5-7.8
7.0-9.0
6.3-7.1
6-7.5
PCV (%)
36-54
25-46
27-44
23-35
30-50
30-48
Hb (g/dL)
11.9-18.4
8.0-14.9
9.7-15.6
8.3-12.3
10-16
10-15
RBCs (×1012/L)
4.9-8.2
5.3-10.2
5.1-10.0
5.0-7.5
—
—
Total leukocytes (×109/L)
4.1-15.2
4.0-14.5
4.7-10.6
3.0-13.5
4-12
6.5-20
Neutrophils—segmented (×109/L)
3.0-10.4
3.0-9.2
2.4-6.4
0.7-5.1
1-6
3-15
Neutrophils—band (×109/L)
0.0-0.1
0.0-0.1
0.0-0.1
0.0-0.1
0-0.1
0-0.5
Lymphocytes (×109/L)
1.0-4.6
0.9-3.9
1.0-4.9
1.1-8.2
2-8
2-12
Monocytes (×109/L)
0.0-1.2
0.0-0.5
0.0-0.5
0.0-0.6
0-0.6
0-0.6
Eosinophils (×109/L)
0.0-1.3
0.0-1.2
0.0-0.3
0.0-1.5
0-1
0-0.6
Basophils (×109/L)
0.0
0.0-0.2
0.0-0.1
0.0-0.1
0-0.1
0-0.1 
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