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A Comprehensive Guide – Anaesthesia Tips in Cats

Anaesthesia induction in feline patients:
A comprehensive guide

In this post, we walk through the process of inducing anaesthesia in feline patients. Inducing anaesthesia in feline patients requires careful preparation, skillful execution, and ongoing monitoring to ensure the patient’s safety and comfort.

This instructional guide and video will walk you through the essential steps and key considerations when anaesthetising cats, providing useful tips that are especially valuable for vet students and recent graduates.

Before beginning the anaesthesia process, it’s crucial to gather all necessary equipment and ensure that everything is functioning properly. Proper preparation helps prevent delays and complications during the procedure.

Essential equipment

The following is a list of essential equipment required.

  • Metal tray: Keep a sterilised metal tray handy for organising your instruments and medications.
  • Lignocaine with a soft catheter tip: This is essential for administering local anaesthesia to the larynx during intubation.
  • Laryngoscope with a bright light: A working laryngoscope is vital for visualizing the larynx and aiding in proper intubation.
  • Alphaxalone (Undiluted): Alphaxalone is commonly used as an induction agent in cats.
  • Additional medications: Have midazolam on hand for sedation, and be prepared to administer constant rate infusions like ketamine and fentanyl, depending on the patient’s condition.
  • Endotracheal tubes: Various uncuffed and cuffed endotracheal (ET) tubes should be available. Uncuffed tubes are generally preferred for most feline patients, as they reduce the risk of tracheal injury.
Anaesthesia induction procedure

Anaesthesia induction procedure

The following steps outline the key actions in the anaesthesia process for feline patients:

Pre-oxygenation:
Start by placing the cat on oxygen for a few minutes before induction. Pre-oxygenation helps to increase the oxygen reserves in the patient’s lungs, reducing the risk of hypoxia during induction.

Induction:
Administer alphaxalone as your chosen induction agent. Monitor the cat’s response closely throughout the induction process, paying attention to vital signs such as heart rate, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation.

Intubation:

Use a laryngoscope to visualise the larynx and ensure the vocal cords are visible. If necessary, apply lignocaine to the larynx to reduce sensitivity and prevent laryngospasm, a common issue in cats.

Carefully intubate the patient, selecting the appropriately sized ET tube. In most cases, an uncuffed tube is preferable, but having both uncuffed and cuffed tubes available ensures you’re prepared for any situation.

Constant rate infusions (CRIs):

Based on the patient’s analgesic and sedation needs, you may administer constant rate infusions such as ketamine or fentanyl. These CRIs help maintain stable anaesthesia and provide ongoing pain relief.

Monitoring: Continuous monitoring is critical during the procedure. Utilize the following equipment to track the patient’s vital signs:
CO2 Monitoring: End-tidal CO2 readings provide valuable information about the patient’s ventilation status.

Spo2 readings: Oxygen saturation monitoring ensures that the patient remains well-oxygenated.

Blood pressure: Regularly assess blood pressure to detect any changes that could indicate anaesthetic complications.

ECG: Monitoring the heart’s electrical activity helps identify arrhythmias or other cardiac issues.

Body temperature maintenance:
Cats are prone to hypothermia under anaesthesia, so it’s important to maintain their body temperature. Warming techniques such as bear huggers, heating pads, and warm towels can keep the patient’s temperature within a normal range.

Eye care:
During anaesthesia, the corneas can dry out. To prevent corneal ulcers and keep the eyes hydrated, apply lubricating ointment regularly.

Essential considerations

When working with feline patients, there are several key factors to keep in mind to minimise risks and complications:

Caution with cuffed endotracheal tubes: Although cuffed tubes may be necessary in some instances, always be mindful of the potential for tracheal trauma in cats. Inflate the cuff only if necessary, and use the lowest pressure possible to create a seal.

ET tube disconnection during repositioning: Cats are susceptible to tracheal tears. To avoid this, disconnect the ET tube before moving the cat or changing its position.

Preparedness for various-sized tubes: Cats can vary widely in size, so having a range of ET tube sizes readily available is crucial. Always have tubes that fit snugly but not too tightly to avoid complications during intubation.

Assessing underlying conditions: Always consider the cat’s underlying health conditions when preparing for anesthesia. Pre-existing diseases, such as heart or respiratory issues, may require adjustments to the anesthetic protocol to ensure a safer outcome.

Final points

Inducing anaesthesia in cats requires thorough preparation, careful attention to detail, and consistent monitoring throughout the procedure. By following these steps, veterinary students and recent graduates can ensure safer anaesthetic inductions and better outcomes for feline patients.

Are you worried about your cat’s health?

If you are concerned about your cat, please reach out to our friendly team. Call us on 1300 228 377 or fill out the contact form below. In an emergency, please contact your local vet.

For vets – to refer a patient or book a telehealth consultation, please call us on 1300 228 377, book through the portal or fill in the form.

Patient Stories

Our commitment to feline health is best seen in the stories of the cats we’ve had the privilege of treating. These journeys highlight the dedication, expertise and compassion that drive us.

Each patient faced unique challenges, and it was our honour to offer high-quality care and help them regain strength and happiness. We value the deep bonds with cats and their owners, knowing the difference we make in their lives.

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Coco stayed with us at CSS while recovering from a nephrectomy (the surgical kidney removal). After months of unsuccessful treatment for a ureteral obstruction, this became necessary.

 

Contacting Us

Pet Owners
If you would like to talk about treatment for your cat, call us on 1300 228 377 or fill in the form.
In an emergency, please contact your local vet.

Vets and Nurses
To refer a patient or book a telehealth consultation please call us on 1300 228 377, book through the portal or fill in the form. For advice calls, please see the guidelines here.

1300 228 377
1-15 Lexington Rd,
Underwood, QLD, AU, 4119
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