Anesthetizing animals: Similar to humans yet, peculiar?

Abstract

From time immemorial, animals have served as models for humans. Like humans, animals too have to undergo several types of elective and emergency surgeries. Several anesthetic techniques and drugs used in humans are also used in animals. However, unlike humans, the animal kingdom includes a wide variety of species, breeds, and sizes. Different species have variable pharmacological responses, anatomy, temperament, behavior, and lifestyles. The anesthetic techniques and drugs have to suit different species and breeds. Nevertheless, there are several drugs and many peculiar anesthetic techniques used in animals but not in human beings. Keeping this in mind, literature was hand searched and electronically searched using the words “veterinary anesthesia,” “anesthetic drugs and techniques in animals” using Google search engine. The interesting information so collected is presented in this article which highlights some challenging and amazing aspects of anesthetizing animals including the preanesthetic assessment, preparation, premedication, monitoring, induction of general anesthesia, intubation, equipment, regional blocks, neuraxial block, and perioperative complications.

Understanding the Effects of Anesthesia on Cortical Electrophysiological Recordings: A Scoping Review

“…1 Dexmedetomidine is used into clinical practice as a short-term sedative (<24 h) and sedation in the intensive care unit (ICU). 2 It may be used as a supplement for balanced general anesthesia. Butorphanol is also quite effective at reducing post-operative shivering.…”

“…In fact, the contribution of animal experiments has played a relevant role in the evolution of anesthesia. However, several drugs and techniques not used in humans are being used in veterinary anesthesia and in some animals anesthetic effect can be quite challenging because of their variable anatomies, lifestyles and aggressive behavior [ 2 , 3 ].…”