What are some special considerations with Greyhounds and anesthesia?
Prolonged recoveries after receiving some anesthetics such as barbiturates
May experience hyperkalemia associated with general anesthesia
What condition of certain breeds such as Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Boxers, and Maine Coons can cause them to experience sensitivity to acepromazine and butorphanol?
Cardiac Disease
What are the most commonly used benzodiazepines in veterinary medicine?
Diazepam, midazolam, and zolazepam
What is the method of action of benzodiazepine agonists?
Benzodiazepines agonists bind at benzodiazepine receptor sites in the CNS - these receptors potentiate the effects of GABA, an inhibitory neurotransmitter
How is central nervous depression achieved with the use of benzodiazepines?
With benzodiazepine administration, the function of chloride ion channel gating is enhanced, which results in hyperpolarization of cell membranes, making them more resistant to neuronal excitation
How are benzodiazepines eliminated in the body?
Primarily through hepatic metabolism and fecal excretion
What are some considerations when administering diazepam to a patient?
Water insolubility causes pain when inject IM
IV should be injected slowly to prevent pain and thrombis
Cannot be mixed in the same syringe with water-soluble medications
What are some side effects of diazepam administration?
Cardiopulmonary depression
Rapid infusion and high IV dosages may cause hypotension, bradycardia, and apnea
What are some benefits of using midazolam over diazepam?
Faster onset
Good water solubility with no irritant - can be mixed with other drugs and is well absorbed via IM or SQ injection
What are “other” side effects of alpha-2 adrenergics?
Increased blood glucose level
Decreased intestinal motility
Increased urine production
Increased uterine contractions - may lead to premature delivery/abortion
Vomiting
What is the mechanism of action of alpha-2 adrenergics?
Agonist activity at presynaptic alpha2-adrenergic receptors, resulting in decreased release of norepinephrine from adrenergic nerve terminals in CNS and periphery
What side effects can be seen with hydromorphone administration in cats?
Vomiting and hyperthermia - seem more pronounced with SQ administration
What is the rule regarding patient weight and fluids?
60:40:20
60% of body weight is water
40% of body weight is intracellular fluid
20% of body weight is extracellular fluid
