Complications Of Anaesthesia
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In every species, anaesthesia carries risks due to the drugs that are used. These risks can sometimes be treatable with appropriate intervention while others may be fatal. For these complications to be detected, careful monitoring is essential both during and after the anaesthetic procedure.
Haemoglobin Desaturation
Many of the complications seen due to anaesthesia are associated with tissue hypoxia. With the use of pulse oximetry and blood gas analysis early detection is possible and allows for correction of falling oxygen levels. However, it is also possible to detect by monitor mucous membrane colour and loking for other signs of cyanosis.
Falls in oxygen can be due to a number of reasons including empty cylinders, kinks in the breathing system and obstructions.
Airway Obstruction
Airway obstructions can occur in both the intubated and non intubated patient. In an intubated patient kinks in the tube and positioning of the patient can both be causes, while in the non intubated patient brachycephalic breeds are at hig risk and again, positioning may also lead to airway obstruction.
Aspiration
A worry in all patients undergoing anaesthesia is the risk of aspirating material that has been refluxed or from the oral cavity in case of dentistry work in some patients. This can lead to the development of aspiration pneumonia. To reduce the incidence of aspiration, patients are commonly starved before a procedure for 8-12 hours depending on the species.
Apnoea
Due to respiratory depression called by a number of the anaesthetic drugs, apnoea is commonly seen in anaesthetised patients. In these cases, the airway should be checked for any obstructions before manual ventilation is performed. Appropriate intervention can then be carried out depending on the underlying cause.
Circulatory Failure
This may be due to a volume insuffiency or a primary cardiac problem. Common causes include haemorrhage and peripheral vasodilation due to the anaesthetic drugs. Treatments include fluid therapy and other inventional drugs.
Cardiac Arrhytmias
Many of the anaesthetics commonly used are arrhythmogenic. Changes in cardiac rate and rhythm, therefore, are commonly seen.