a rift

Monitoring Anesthesia

Monitoring Anesthesia in Small Animal Surgery
MM/CRT - Mucous Membranes/Capillary Refill Time - Apply pressure to the animal’s gum then quickly remove finger, the capillaries in the gum should refill with blood in a well oxygenated animal in approx. 1 second. If longer, oxygen may need to be increased. Any mucous membranes’ colour are a good indicator of oxygenation. All should be a healthy pink, if grey to blue-ish, the animal is in serious physiological danger.
RR = Respiratory Rate - By watching the rise and fall of the chest, feeling the animal’s breath or listening to the lung sounds, the respiratory rate can be noted. Normal RR for a cat, for instance, is 24-28 breaths p/m. A dog’s normal RR is 16-20 breaths p/m. Most vets/vet nurses will only count the amount of breaths within 15 seconds then multiply by 4 to save time.
HR = Heart Rate - The heart rate is also to be taken with the 15s x 4 method. Auscultation of the heartbeat is heard using a stethoscope. The normal HR for a cat is 110-140 bpm. Normal HR for a dog is 70-160bpm depending on the size of the dog. The larger the dog, the slower the HR.
CORNEAL REFLEX = Involuntary blinking of the eyelids stimulated by touching of the eyes. If the corneal reflex is gone, the anesthesia is too deep. Always test to make sure it remains at all times during the surgery.
PINCH TEST = Pinch a sensitive area of the skin to test the animal’s sense of pain. If the animal flinches/makes noise, the anesthesia is obviously too light and should be heavier.
SKIN TENT TEST = To monitor hydration levels, the occasional skin tent test can be done. All this means is: pull the skin on the back of the neck (the ‘scruff) upwards and together I.e. “tent” , then watch to make sure the skin falls very quickly back in place. If it is not very fast, you can assume that hydration levels are low.
JAW TONE = Pull the lower jaw down. If the animal is adequately sedated, the jaw will remain open and no reflex to shut it will occur.
TEMP = It is normal for the animals’ temperature to be slightly lower than normal due to exposure of the organs, inhalation of pure, cold oxygen, the metal of the surgical table against the skin…this is why shivering is a normal part of coming out of anesthesia as the body regulates its temperature. Of course, there are things that can be done to lessen the temp drop such as warm IV fluids, paw booties/socks, or an electric blanket/some other blanket or mat between the surgical table and the animal. Normal temps: Dog = 37.2C - 39.2C. Cat = 38C - 39.2C.
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I am going to get 2 pet rats very soon. So cute.
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grasp me, list me on the lines of your smile. ask me, kiss me just by the sun dial. time wants me almost as much as you do. she isn’t enough for me to hold onto. slippin’ away in the lightest wind, you may be fragile but she’s just thin, can’t win, she can’t, can’t win, can’t sing like you do.