Safe and effective anesthesia of dogs and cats rely on preanesthetic patient assessment and preparation. Patients should be premedicated with drugs that provide sedation and analgesia prior to anesthetic induction with drugs that allow endotracheal intubation. Maintenance is typically with a volatile anesthetic such as isoflurane or sevoflurane delivered via an endotracheal tube. In addition, local anesthetic nerve blocks; epidural administration of opioids; and constant rate infusions of lidocaine, ketamine, and opioids are useful to enhance analgesia. Cardiovascular, respiratory, and central nervous system functions are continuously monitored so that anesthetic depth can be modified as needed. Emergency drugs and equipment, as well as an action plan for their use, should be available throughout the perianesthetic period. Additionally, intravenous access and crystalloid or colloids are administered to maintain circulating blood volume. Someone trained in the detection of recovery abnormalities should monitor patients throughout recovery. Postoperatively attention is given to body temperature, level of sedation, and appropriate analgesia.
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November/December 2011
Veterinary Practice Guidelines|
November 01 2011
AAHA Anesthesia Guidelines for Dogs and Cats*
Richard Bednarski, MS, DVM, DACVA (Chair);
Veterinary Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH (R.B.); Veterinary Specialist Services PC, Conifer, CO (K.G.); Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, Knoxville, TN (R.H.); Southwest Veterinary Anesthesiology, Southern Arizona Veterinary Specialists, Tucson, AZ (V.L.); Phoenix, AZ (W.S.P.); Front Range Veterinary Clinic, Lakewood, CO (B.S.); and Peak Performance Veterinary Group, Colorado Springs, CO (K.S.)
Correspondence: [email protected] (R.B.)
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Kurt Grimm, DVM, MS, PhD, DACVA, DACVCP;
Kurt Grimm, DVM, MS, PhD, DACVA, DACVCP
Veterinary Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH (R.B.); Veterinary Specialist Services PC, Conifer, CO (K.G.); Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, Knoxville, TN (R.H.); Southwest Veterinary Anesthesiology, Southern Arizona Veterinary Specialists, Tucson, AZ (V.L.); Phoenix, AZ (W.S.P.); Front Range Veterinary Clinic, Lakewood, CO (B.S.); and Peak Performance Veterinary Group, Colorado Springs, CO (K.S.)
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Ralph Harvey, DVM, MS, DACVA;
Ralph Harvey, DVM, MS, DACVA
Veterinary Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH (R.B.); Veterinary Specialist Services PC, Conifer, CO (K.G.); Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, Knoxville, TN (R.H.); Southwest Veterinary Anesthesiology, Southern Arizona Veterinary Specialists, Tucson, AZ (V.L.); Phoenix, AZ (W.S.P.); Front Range Veterinary Clinic, Lakewood, CO (B.S.); and Peak Performance Veterinary Group, Colorado Springs, CO (K.S.)
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Victoria M. Lukasik, DVM, DACVA;
Victoria M. Lukasik, DVM, DACVA
Veterinary Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH (R.B.); Veterinary Specialist Services PC, Conifer, CO (K.G.); Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, Knoxville, TN (R.H.); Southwest Veterinary Anesthesiology, Southern Arizona Veterinary Specialists, Tucson, AZ (V.L.); Phoenix, AZ (W.S.P.); Front Range Veterinary Clinic, Lakewood, CO (B.S.); and Peak Performance Veterinary Group, Colorado Springs, CO (K.S.)
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W. Sean Penn, DVM, DABVP (Canine/Feline);
W. Sean Penn, DVM, DABVP (Canine/Feline)
Veterinary Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH (R.B.); Veterinary Specialist Services PC, Conifer, CO (K.G.); Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, Knoxville, TN (R.H.); Southwest Veterinary Anesthesiology, Southern Arizona Veterinary Specialists, Tucson, AZ (V.L.); Phoenix, AZ (W.S.P.); Front Range Veterinary Clinic, Lakewood, CO (B.S.); and Peak Performance Veterinary Group, Colorado Springs, CO (K.S.)
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Brett Sargent, DVM, DABVP (Canine/Feline);
Brett Sargent, DVM, DABVP (Canine/Feline)
Veterinary Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH (R.B.); Veterinary Specialist Services PC, Conifer, CO (K.G.); Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, Knoxville, TN (R.H.); Southwest Veterinary Anesthesiology, Southern Arizona Veterinary Specialists, Tucson, AZ (V.L.); Phoenix, AZ (W.S.P.); Front Range Veterinary Clinic, Lakewood, CO (B.S.); and Peak Performance Veterinary Group, Colorado Springs, CO (K.S.)
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Kim Spelts, CVT, VTS, CCRP (Anesthesia)
Kim Spelts, CVT, VTS, CCRP (Anesthesia)
Veterinary Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH (R.B.); Veterinary Specialist Services PC, Conifer, CO (K.G.); Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, Knoxville, TN (R.H.); Southwest Veterinary Anesthesiology, Southern Arizona Veterinary Specialists, Tucson, AZ (V.L.); Phoenix, AZ (W.S.P.); Front Range Veterinary Clinic, Lakewood, CO (B.S.); and Peak Performance Veterinary Group, Colorado Springs, CO (K.S.)
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J Am Anim Hosp Assoc (2011) 47 (6): 377–385.
Citation
Richard Bednarski, Kurt Grimm, Ralph Harvey, Victoria M. Lukasik, W. Sean Penn, Brett Sargent, Kim Spelts; AAHA Anesthesia Guidelines for Dogs and Cats. J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 1 November 2011; 47 (6): 377–385. doi: https://doi.org/10.5326/JAAHA-MS-5846
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