Case Study_ Horse Field Castration- Jade Jelinek
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Baker College, Owosso *
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Course
2310
Subject
Medicine
Date
Apr 3, 2024
Type
docx
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3
Uploaded by DrArtFalcon43
1.
What is a normal equine heart rate? State the appropriate term for “gut sounds” in the horse.
A normal heart rate for a horse is 30-40 bpm. The appropriate term for gut sounds is borborygmi.
2.
The owner contacted you the night prior to surgery. She asks, “Should I hold the horse off food like I do with the dogs?” Please respond.
Equines should be fasted about 4-6 hours before surgery to allow the stomach to empty,
thus ensuring better ventilation. (McCurnin, pg. 1088)
3.
You are surveying the owner’s property looking for a suitable location in which to lay the horse down. Describe the characteristics of an appropriate area.
An ideal location will be a flat area that is clean and dry, ideally a nice lawn or a large stall laid with straw.
4.
The veterinarian has selected the following anesthetic protocol: IV xylazine 1.1 mg/kg followed by IV diazepam 0.05 mg/kg and ketamine 2 mg/kg. The concentration of each drug is as follows: xylazine 100 mg/ml, diazepam 5 mg/ml. Ketamine 100 mg/ml. How many ccs of each drug will the horse receive?
341 kg x (1.1 mg/kg)= 375 mg x (1 mL/100 mg)= 3.7 mL=3.7 cc xylazine
341 kg x (0.05 mg/kg) = 17 mg x (1 mL/5 mg)= 3.4 mL= 3.4 cc diazepam
341 kg x (2 mg/kg)= 682 mg x ( 1 mL/100 mg)= 6.8 mL= 6.8 cc ketamine
5.
The xylazine was inadvertently administered IA. Explain why this poses a serious problem. What artery was most likely entered if the injection was administered in the neck? How does the vigilant technician ensure that an injection in the house is administered IV and not IA? What action should you take upon inadvertent arterial puncture (no injection of material)?
The carotid artery was most likely entered as it runs parallel to the jugular vein where the
injection would be intended. If an injection is inadvertently given into the carotid artery, the medication is carried directly, within a second, to the brain, where it can cause massive, instantaneous convulsions or seizures. This can be very dangerous for both the horse and the handlers. A tech can tell that they are in the vein or artery by looking at the blood flow and the color arteries will gush out and won’t have the negative pressure like veins and they will be a brighter red color. If there is a puncture in the artery you should slowly pull back out get a new needle and try to find the vein. (horsesidevetguide, 2018)
6.
Can xylazine or diazepam be administered IM in the horse? If so, under what circumstances is the drug administered IM?
Diazepam cannot be given IM because it is not water-soluble, but xylazine can. IM administration may be chosen to extend the duration of sedation as it will metabolize slower than IV but will still act fast to get them down.
7.
The veterinarian always keeps Yohimbine in the equine emergency crash kit. What is the function of yohimbine?
Yohimbine is an alpha-2 adrenoceptor antagonist used to reverse xylazine. It is useful for rapid recovery of sedated animals in cases of emergency or prolonged recovery. 8.
You obtain a pulse rate during surgery. Identify potential locations for obtaining a pulse in the horse. Which artery is most accessible/likely to be used for obtaining a pulse?
The three arteries include the maxillary artery (under the jawbone), radial artery (on the inside of the knee), or the digital artery (just below the fetlock). The maxillary artery is the
most accessible as it is the easiest to get to and feel while standing without having to worry about being kicked. (Penn State, 2023)
9.
The veterinarian states that the use of a triple drip helps maintain a longer surgical plane
of anesthesia during “field surgery.” Identify the components of the standard equine triple
drip. A triple drip consists of a combination of xylazine, ketamine, and guaifenesin and is used to maintain anesthesia. Guaifenesin is a muscle relaxant that helps counteract the rigidity associated with ketamine.
10. The horse has been standing for five minutes. The veterinarian is concerned that the facial nerve was damaged during surgery. What clinical signs are associated with facial nerve paralysis? Identify measures commonly employed to reduce the incidence of this problem.
Signs include loss of motor function, including the inability to blink, a drooping ear, a drooping upper lip, drooling from the corner of the mouth, and absence of nostril flaring. When the animal eats or drinks, food and water may fall out of the mouth. Common measures to help prevent facial nerve paralysis include removing halters during anesthesia, avoiding rough handling, and avoiding puncturing or cutting into the area the
nerves are known to be when giving meds or performing surgery. (Schubert, 2022)
11. The horse has been castrated. What is the appropriate term for a castrated male horse?
A Gelding
References
Bassert, J. M., Beal, A. D., Samples, O. M., & McCurnin, D. M. (2022). McCurnin’s clinical textbook for Veterinary Technicians and nurses
(10th ed.). Elsevier. How to take your horse’s vital signs
. Penn State Extension. (2023, June 12). https://extension.psu.edu/how-to-take-your-horses-vital-signs#:~:text=If%20you
%20prefer%20to%20palpate,(just%20below%20the%20fetlock). Schubert, T. (2024, February 12). Facial paralysis in horses - horse owners
. Merck Veterinary Manual. https://www.merckvetmanual.com/horse-owners/brain,-spinal-cord,-and-nerve-
disorders-of-horses/facial-paralysis-in-horses#:~:text=Usually%2C%20the%20signs
%20include%20loss,fall%20out%20of%20the%20mouth. Thal. (2019, October 26). Intracarotid injection
. Horse Side Vet Guide. https://horsesidevetguide.com/drv/Diagnosis/791/intracarotid-injection/#:~:text=If%20an
%20injection%20is%20inadvertently,medication%20causes%20seizure%2Dlike
%20activity.
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