Food/Fiber Cesarean Sections
Pregnant anesthesia animal sedation and anesthesia
Anesthesia is tricky during pregnancy, particularly in large animals.
The first trimester is risky due to the teratogenic effects of many drugs. Anesthesia is avoided in this trimester whenever possible.
The third trimester is risky as the large fetus can impair venous return to the heart by pressure on the vena cava and diaphragm. Avoid dorsal recumbency whenever possible.
Generally elective procedures are scheduled during the second trimester or after the birth.
During Csections, avoid agents that increase tone to the uterus (for the surgeon) or compromise the cardiovascular or respiratory system of the fetus/baby. Drugs that can be reversed or have minimal depressive effects are ideal. Multimodal anesthesia helps to minimize the amount (and side effects) of each drug.
Resources
FA Sedation chapter – xylazine increases uterine tone and is considered abortigenic for cattle in the last trimester
Local blocks chapter – for epidurals
Drugs and the placenta, Open Anesthesia (human)- good resource for what drugs cross the placenta
Anesthesia for pregnancy and reproductive disorders , Wendt-Hornickle
Anesthesia for reproductive disorders, Graham
Two methods for casting:
