Animal Evaluation and Preparation



Animal Evaluation and Preparation




Overview


Anesthesia is more than the delivery of anesthetic drugs. Safe anesthesia includes assessing the physical status of the animal, noting the administration of concurrent medications, selecting the appropriate drugs for each procedure, and having a working familiarity with anesthetic drugs, their potential toxicities, and treatment of anesthetic related side effects. This chapter outlines preoperative evaluation as it relates to subsequent anesthetic management.




General Considerations




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 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)



Evaluating the Animal




Animal identification



II Client complaint and anamnesis (history)



Duration and severity of illness


Concurrent symptoms or disease



Level of activity (exercise intolerance?)


Timing of most recent feeding


Previous and current administration of drugs




Current Physical Examination




General body condition



II Cardiovascular



III Pulmonary



IV Hepatic



Renal



VI Gastrointestinal



VII Nervous system and special senses



VIII Metabolic and endocrine



IX Integument



Musculoskeletal




Preanesthetic Laboratory Workup




Minimum laboratory evaluation (Table 2-2)


Sep 6, 2016 | Posted by in SUGERY, ORTHOPEDICS & ANESTHESIA | Comments Off on Animal Evaluation and Preparation

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