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What is anesthesia?
Anaesthesia is the controllable and reversible loss of consciousness
induced by chemical intoxication of the central nervous system.
The goal of anaesthetic administration is to prevent the perception
of painful stimuli without undue depression of physiological functions.
What happens when an animal is anesthetized?
Characteristic features of the anesthetic state include lowered
sensitivity to outside stimuli (including pain), relaxation, and
diminished motor response.
Why is anesthesia used?
Anesthesia is necessary when an animal is to undergo a painful procedure
to repair serious wounds (e.g. bone pinning). Anesthesia must be
administered by a veterinarian or a trained and licensed technician.
By law, any experimental protocol involving procedures that cause
pain and discomfort to the animals require proper and appropriate
use of anaesthetics, analgesics and tranquillizers.
How is it used?
Proper use of anaesthetic agents involves knowing:
- the relevant techniques,
- various drugs used to induce anaesthesia,
- their route and administration,
- how to protect the animal from undue physiological compromise,
- how to monitor the anaesthetized animal
Is it safe for all animals?
No. Some species are more difficult to anesthetize than others,
and some animals are too weak or compromised to undergo anesthesia.
An animal must be examined and assessed by a veterinarian, to determine
whether or not its general condition will allow the procedure.
Certain species (very small mammals, birds-- especially birds of
prey and mynahs) are extremely prone to "crashing" quickly
and unexpectedly.
There are many considerations to anesthetizing small animals and
birds, including but not limited to maintaining their body temperature,
and species-specific responses to particular anesthetic drugs.
In any procedure involving use of anaesthetics, the investigator
must learn to anticipate, and be prepared for, anaesthetic emergencies.
NEVER assume problems will not occur.
http://www.richmond.edu/~preynold/bio338/anaesthesia.html
More information on animals and anesthetics is available from the
following websites and textbooks:
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The Capsule Report
Scope: The CR website features short articles and discussions on anesthesia for various animals, including reptiles.
Online Volumes:
URL:
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IVIS
Scope: The International Veterinary Information Service website features an article presents a brief review of the avian pulmonary system as it relates to inhalational anesthesia and a brief summary of what is currently known about inhalant anesthesia in birds.
Online Volumes:
URL:
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University of Minnesota
Scope: The university offers an online tutorial that describes anesthesia for raptors and swans, with general principles applicable to other species of birds.
Online Volumes:
URL:
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Handbook of Veterinary Anesthesia:
by William W. Muir, John A. E. Hubbell, Roman T. Skarda, ri Bednarski
An immediate source of information relating to anesthesia, cardiopulmonary emergencies and euthanasia for veterinary students and practitioners. Explores: patient evaluation and preparation, drugs, intravenous anesthetic drugs, oxygen toxicity, hemodynamic monitoring, acid-base balance and blood gases, respiratory emergency, cardiac emergency and shock, and acid base balance.
Paperback: 574 pages
Mosby-Year Book
ISBN:0323008011
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Lumb & Jones' Veterinary Anesthesia:
by John C. Thurmon (Editor), William J. Tranquilli (Editor), G. John Benson
This book is the single most thorough anesthesia book available for veterinary medicine. It covers specifics for almost every single species, including exotics and zoo species.
Hardcover: 928 pages
Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins
ISBN:0683082388
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Manual of Small Animal Anesthesia:
by Robert R. Paddleford (Editor)
Quick-reference manual for clinicians. New to this edition are chapters on analgesics and analgesic techniques, new injectables and inhalant anesthetic agents. Outline format
Paperback: 372 pages
W B Saunders Co
ISBN:0721640605
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Small Animal Anesthesia & Analgesia:
by Diane McKelvey, K. Wayne Hollingshead
Paperback: 334 pages
Mosby-Year Book
ISBN:0323002730
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