Due to their large size, nature, and predisposition to adverse reactions to certain anesthetic agents, it is common knowledge in the veterinary industry horses placed under general anesthesia are at a higher risk compared to smaller species, like dogs and cats. They can have a 0.9 percent mortality rate during non-colic surgery, which increases to nearly 11.7 percent during colic surgery1. The most common causes of mortality during anesthesia are cardiovascular arrest, trauma (fractures and wounds), myopathy and neuropathy.
During anesthesia, we always use multi-parameter monitoring. This is essential for complex surgeries where a balance is sought between adequate depth of anesthesia and preserving the cardiorespiratory function.
Some monitors include a gas analyser that measures the concentration of expired inhalant gas, giving an indication of the depth of anesthesia, as well as any adverse physiological reactions to anesthetic agents. Improved monitoring allows early detection of potential complications, and allows us to put interventions in place to improve patient outcomes.
