Changes

==Introduction==

==Introduction==

Anaesthesia can be defined as states of unconsciousness produced by controlled reversible drug induced intoxication of the central nervous system in which the patient neither perceives nor recalls noxious stimuli. The word is derived from the Greek for ‘without feeling’. It can be classified into two major groups – General or Local/Regional.

Anaesthesia can be defined as states of unconsciousness produced by controlled reversible drug induced intoxication of the central nervous system in which the patient neither perceives nor recalls noxious stimuli. The word is derived from the Greek for ‘without feeling’. It can be classified into two major groups – General or Local/Regional.

==Indication for Use==

==Indication for Use==

The most common indication is when a painful procedure such as surgery or a diagnostic test is to be performed, to reduce suffering by the patient but also reduces the risk to the person performing the procedure. However, it can also be used for the control of convulsions where it is used to allow stabilisation of the patient and gives time for treatments to take effects. It can also be used for euthanasia.

The most common indication is when a painful procedure such as surgery or a diagnostic test is to be performed, to reduce suffering by the patient but also reduces the risk to the person performing the procedure. However, it can also be used for the control of convulsions where it is used to allow stabilisation of the patient and gives time for treatments to take effects. It can also be used for euthanasia.

==Protocol Selection==

==Protocol Selection==

*Recovery duration and quality

*Recovery duration and quality

*Available equipment

*Available equipment

==Preoperative Period==

==Preoperative Period==

===Preparation===

===Preparation===

During the preoperative period, a full physical examination of the patient should be performed. This is to allow the anaesthetist to choose the correct agents to induce and maintain anaesthesia throughout the procedure.  It is also important to decide whether the patient is stable enough to undergo an anaesthetic or whether they require any treatments to correct any imbalances or dehydration that may be present that may affect the anaesthetic.  

During the preoperative period, a full physical examination of the patient should be performed. This is to allow the anaesthetist to choose the correct agents to induce and maintain anaesthesia throughout the procedure.  It is also important to decide whether the patient is stable enough to undergo an anaesthetic or whether they require any treatments to correct any imbalances or dehydration that may be present that may affect the anaesthetic.  

===Premedication===

===Premedication===

Premedication is often given as it helps to calm and control the animal before induction and reduces the amount of induction agent given. However, sometimes if the patient is that unwell it may be that it is not necessary to premedicate it. The premedication often includes an analgesic and/or low dose sedative e.g. opioid and alpha 2 agonist.  Other benefits of premedications include pain relief and reduction in side effects of other agents.

Premedication is often given as it helps to calm and control the animal before induction and reduces the amount of induction agent given. However, sometimes if the patient is that unwell it may be that it is not necessary to premedicate it. The premedication often includes an analgesic and/or low dose sedative e.g. opioid and alpha 2 agonist.  Other benefits of premedications include pain relief and reduction in side effects of other agents.

==Induction==

==Induction==

*Commonly after the patient has been induced, placement of an endotracheal tube occurs so that the patient can be maintained on inhalation agents.  

*Commonly after the patient has been induced, placement of an endotracheal tube occurs so that the patient can be maintained on inhalation agents.  

==Maintenance==

==Maintenance==

*It may be beneficial to have a patient on fluids during a procedure e.g. during a long procedure or in geriatric patients. Common fluids used are Hartmanns or 0.9% Soduim Chloride.  

*It may be beneficial to have a patient on fluids during a procedure e.g. during a long procedure or in geriatric patients. Common fluids used are Hartmanns or 0.9% Soduim Chloride.  

**If there is a concern about hypothermia in a patient that is receiving fluids then wrapping the giving set around a "warm hand" will warm the fluids prior to reaching the patient thereby aiding prevention of hyperthermia.

**If there is a concern about hypothermia in a patient that is receiving fluids then wrapping the giving set around a "warm hand" will warm the fluids prior to reaching the patient thereby aiding prevention of hyperthermia.

==Post Operative Considerations==

==Post Operative Considerations==