Topic:Anesthesia
Anesthesia in horses involves the administration of drugs to induce a temporary loss of sensation or consciousness, facilitating surgical procedures and other medical interventions. This complex process requires a deep understanding of equine physiology and pharmacology to ensure the safety and well-being of the animal. Anesthesia in horses can be challenging due to their size, temperament, and unique anatomical and physiological characteristics. Common anesthetic agents used in equine practice include inhalants like isoflurane and sevoflurane, as well as injectable drugs such as ketamine and xylazine. The management of anesthesia in horses also involves careful monitoring of vital signs and the use of supportive measures to prevent complications such as hypotension, hypoventilation, and post-anesthetic myopathy. This page compiles peer-reviewed research studies and scholarly articles that explore the techniques, advancements, and clinical outcomes associated with anesthesia in equine medicine.
Effect of halothane anesthesia on liver function in the horse. Thirty horses were anaesthetized with halothane and thiopental sodium. To determine the hepatotoxic effect of halothane, bromsulphalein (BSP) tests for liver function were made immediately before and 24 hours after anaesthesia and surgery. The periods of anaesthesia varied from 35 minutes to 3 1/2 hours. Results of these tests indicated no significant impairment of liver function 24 hours after anaesthesia, the time at which liver damage due to chloroform, which has a molecular structure similar to that of halothane, has reached its peak
Influence of halothane and catecholamines on heart rate and rhythm in the horse. 1. Ventricular ectopic beats were recorded in eight of thirteen conscious horses following the intravenous administration of adrenaline in doses of 3 mug/kg. Following pre-treatment with either atropine sulphate (0.1 mg/kg) or propranolol hydrochloride (0.1 mg/kg), the same dose level of adrenaline failed to produce ventricular ectopic beats.2. Halothane anaesthesia sensitized the equine heart to the arrhythmogenic actions of adrenaline; the incidence and duration of ventricular arrhythmias being greater than in conscious animals. In comparison with the findings in conscious horses, ether anae...
The influence of suxamethonium on cardiovascular and respiratory function in the anaesthetized horse. 1. In horses anaesthetized with halothane the intravenous administration of suxamethonium chloride, at a dose level of 0.2 mg/kg, produced a short-lived period of hypoventilation, which was associated with increases in arterial blood PCO(2) levels and in plasma concentrations of bicarbonate, sodium and potassium ions, and reductions in arterial blood pH and PO(2) values.2. The respiratory depressant action of suxamethonium chloride 0.2 mg/kg was accompanied by increases in blood pressure and heart rate. Doses of suxamethonium chloride 0.4 mg/kg produced similar but quantitatively greater chang...
Respiratory resistance and compliance in the anaesthetized horse. Total compliance and lower respiratory resistance, that is, total respiratory resistance less upper airway resistance, have been measured during passive expiration in anaesthetized, intubated, completely relaxed animals, lying on their sides. Nine horses and one mule were studied.
Compliance was determined for each animal from the volumes expired after inflation of the lungs to various pressures. The mean compliance for the horses was 0.246 (S.D. 0.088) litre/cm H2O or 0.573 (S.D. 0.229) (ml/cm H2O)/kg body mass.
Resistance was measured in the course of passive expiration through an endotrac...