Survey on small animal anaesthesia

摘要: Objective To ascertain anaesthetic practices used currently for dogs and cats in Australia. Methods A questionnaire was distributed to 4800 veterinarians throughout Australia, seeking data on numbers of anaesthetised per week; drug preferences premedication, induction maintenance; use tracheal intubation, supplemental O2, nitrous oxide antagonists; types vaporisers, breathing systems monitoring devices or available. Additional questions concerned proportions different animal seen the practice, respondent's university year graduation. Results The response rate 19%; 95% respondents graduated from Australian universities, about half since 1985. Most responses (79%) came mainly small practices. On average 16 12 were each week. Premedication more often than cats, with acepromazine atropine most favoured both species. For induction, thiopentone preferred alphaxalone/alphadolone cats. Inhaled agents, especially halothane, maintenance usually employed intubation when using inhalational maintenance, but rates lower during injectable a minority provided O2. Nitrous administered regularly by 13% respondents. agents frequently speed recovery anaesthesia doxapram yohimbine. widely vaporisers Fluotec Mark III Stephens machine. (95%) rebreathing circuit large non-rebreathing system 68% (93%) indicated some form aid available monitor general anaesthesia: three mentioned an apnoea alarm, oesophageal stethoscope electrocardiogram. Conclusion Diverse approaches evident, there appeared be less variation anaesthetising dogs: premedication frequent varied type, while thiobarbituates dominated inhalants maintenance. Injectable techniques had substantial little dogs. Evident disparity between circuits suggested either confusion terminology incorrect in-circuit. While equipment dedicated observer invigilate anaesthesia, common reliance alarms is concern, because unproven reliability accuracy.