Veterinary Anesthesia and Pain Management Flashcards

A 6-year-old Labrador is undergoing a splenectomy under isoflurane anesthesia. The end-tidal CO2 rises to 65 mmHg. What is the most appropriate initial intervention?

Answer: Increase respiratory rate on the ventilator

Increasing the ventilator rate will increase minute ventilation and eliminate the excess CO2, correcting the hypercapnia.

Which opioid is most appropriate for epidural administration in dogs to provide extended postoperative analgesia with minimal motor blockade?

Answer: Morphine

Preservative-free morphine administered epidurally provides long-duration analgesia (12–24 hours) with minimal motor effects due to its hydrophilicity.

A cat anesthetized with ketamine/diazepam develops prolonged apnea after induction. Which characteristic of ketamine best explains this risk?

Answer: Ketamine causes dose-dependent respiratory depression at high doses

While ketamine is generally considered a respiratory-sparing agent, high or rapidly administered doses can cause dose-dependent apnea in cats.

During anesthesia of a horse, you notice the mean arterial pressure drops to 55 mmHg. After adjusting vaporizer settings, which drug is most appropriate to improve cardiac output?

Answer: Dobutamine

Dobutamine is a positive inotrope that increases cardiac output and improves perfusion pressure in anesthetized horses with inhalant-induced hypotension.

A ferret presents for adrenalectomy. Which induction agent combination is most commonly used in ferrets for short procedures?

Answer: Ketamine and midazolam IM

Ketamine combined with midazolam (or diazepam) given IM is a practical and commonly used induction protocol in ferrets, providing smooth anesthesia.

Which local anesthetic has the highest risk of causing methemoglobinemia in cats?

Answer: Benzocaine

Benzocaine, found in some topical sprays, rapidly induces methemoglobinemia in cats due to their limited ability to metabolize certain oxidizing agents.

A dog receives acepromazine premedication followed by isoflurane anesthesia. It develops refractory hypotension unresponsive to fluids. Which vasopressor is most appropriate?

Answer: Ephedrine IV bolus

Ephedrine has both alpha and beta agonist activity and is effective for treating hypotension caused by vasodilation from acepromazine plus inhalant anesthesia.