Introduction

• This section deals with some of the problems and choices that face the clinician whom needs to anesthetize horses to undertake surgery around the head.

Uses

• To facilitate invasive procedures around the head and neck area that are unsuitable to be attempted under standing sedation   Anesthesia: standing chemical restraint  .

Advantages

• Animal fully anesthetized.
• Better surgical conditions.
• More suitable for more invasive procedures.

Disadvantages

• Requires some equipment/facilities.
• Requires extra personnel.
• Risks associated with general anesthesia   Anesthesia: general - overview  in the horse.
• Often more expensive.

Requirements

Preparation

Procedure

Aftercare

Further Reading

Publications

Refereed papers

• Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
• Johnston G M, Taylor P M, Holmes M A & Wood J L (1995) Confidential enquiry of perioperative equine fatalities (CEPEF-1): preliminary results. Equine Vet J 27 (3), 193-200 PubMed.
• Dixon P M, Railton D I & McGorum B C (1993) Temporary bilateral laryngeal paralysis in a horse associated with general anaesthesia and post anaesthetic myositis. Vet Rec 132 (2), 29-32 PubMed.
• Abrahamsen E J, Bohanon T C, Bednarski R M, Hubbell J A & Muir W W 3rd (1990) Bilateral arytenoid cartilage paralysis after inhalation anesthesia in a horse. JAVMA 197 (10), 1363-1365 PubMed.

Other sources of information

• Driessen B, Zarucco L, Nann L E & Klein L (2003) Hazards Associated with Laser Surgery in the Airway of the Horse: Implications for the Anesthetic Management B. In: Recent Advances in Anesthetic Management of Large Domestic Animals. Ed: Steffey E P. IVIS.org.