Brachycephalic anaesthesia, part 3: the post-anaesthetic period

ABSTRACT

This article covers the post-anaesthesia period considerations for brachycephalic breeds and discusses extubation timing, sedation and patient monitoring. It follows the previous articles on pre-anaesthesia and peri-anaesthetic considerations of these dogs.

Keywords:

• anaesthesia
• brachycephalic
• BOAS
• BAS

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What position is recommended to recover a brachycephalic patient in?

   1. Dorsal

   2. Any lateral

   3. Tilted head down

   4. Sternal

2. What does flaring of the nostrils and a paradoxical breathing pattern signify after extubation?

   1. The patient is taking deep breaths

   2. The airway is partially/fully closed

   3. They are sleeping happily

   4. They are becoming hyperthermic

3. When do 50% of anaesthesia-related deaths occur in the anaesthesia recovery period?

   1. There is no risk, it is a peri-operative concern

   2. Within 3 hours post anaesthesia

   3. Within 3-12 hours post anaesthesia

   4. Within 12-24 hours post anaesthesia

4. What should brachycephalic patients be discharged from the practice with post anaesthesia?

   1. Eye lubrication

   2. A tin of low-fat food

   3. Wearing a harness

   4. Pet shampoo

For the answers to the MCQs, please go to: http://www.bvna.org.uk/publications/veterinary-nursing-journal

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Courtney Scales

Courtney Scales DipVN, NCert(Anaesth), RVN

Courtney is originally from New Zealand, where she qualified as a Veterinary Nurse in 2010 and worked in a number of small animal clinics in Auckland. An anaesthesia passion took her to a large referral hospital in Australia in 2015. She has been working at the Royal Veterinary College since 2017.

Email: [email protected]

Niamh Clancy

Niamh Clancy Dip AVN (Small Animal), DipHE, CVN, Dip VN, PGCert VetEd, FHEA, RVN

Niamh graduated from University College Dublin with her Diploma in Veterinary Nursing in 2011. She then moved to the UK and worked in hospitals across London while studying for her Advanced Diploma which she obtained from Myerscough College in 2015. She currently divides her time as an anaesthesia nurse at the Queen Mother Hospital for Animals and as a Clinical Educator in Anaesthesia for the veterinary nursing school at the Royal Veterinary College. She recently obtained her Certificate in Veterinary Education.

Email: [email protected]