Anesthesia in tree squirrels and woodrats

[Diggie's Friend]

Reactions from anesthesia vary from species to species. This study was done in the field with E. Gray squirrels and Woodrats.

Please read this all, for in a large number of squirrels used in the study two died of unknown causes.

This illustrates what all veterinarians know, that there is always a risk putting animals under anesthesia. Still the ratio of survival was significantly positive.

[cava]

Thanks for the article!

I understand the point was to use Iso in the field and therefore they weren't giving a metered dose of Iso along with O2, (Air contains about 21% oxygen and that decreases when in a sealed container) but I just kept thinking about the canister of Ether in the freezer at the vet's office from the "way back" days and my boss just wouldn't throw it away.

But they made some good points and it was an interesting read.

[Diggie's Friend]

Warning: the subjects and contents of these studies may be more disturbing to some than others.

http://www.turkishneurosurgery.org.tr/pdf/pdf_JTN_371.pdf

isoflurane vs. Sevoflurane and paired combinations with other anesthetics was compared in rats with brain injury.

http://anesthesiology.pubs.asahq.org/Article.aspx?articleid=1922256

Basically anesthesia was found to be a benefit to rats at the time or soon after ischemic brain injury.

Another study noted that in young rats that anesthesia was harmful.

It is of note in this study that glucose is a key factor in preventing brain injury;

this is why going into surgery it is recommended for rodents to be given a meal prior to surgery, as

rodents rats don't vomit 'as' humans do,