Depths of Anesthesia
Posted: Friday, August 12th, 2022 | Updated: Friday, August 12th, 2022
Posted: Friday, August 12th, 2022 | Updated: Friday, August 12th, 2022
Light anesthetic depth:
Slight muscle relaxation, intact swallowing, corneal/palpebral reflexes are present, eyes are positioned centrally with dilated pupils, respirations may be sporadic or tachypneic, heart rate and blood pressure may be increased in healthy patients
Surgical anesthetic depth:
Adequate muscle relaxation, no swallowing, corneal/palpebral reflexes are present, eyes are positioned ventrally, respirations are regular, heart rate and blood pressure is maintained appropriately in healthy patients
Deep anesthetic depth:
Profound muscle relaxation, no swallowing, corneal/palpebral reflexes are no longer present, eyes are positioned centrally with constricted pupils, respirations may be very slow or apneic, heart rate and blood pressure may be decreased in healthy patients
Slight muscle relaxation, intact swallowing, corneal/palpebral reflexes are present, eyes are positioned centrally with dilated pupils, respirations may be sporadic or tachypneic, heart rate and blood pressure may be increased in healthy patients
Surgical anesthetic depth:
Adequate muscle relaxation, no swallowing, corneal/palpebral reflexes are present, eyes are positioned ventrally, respirations are regular, heart rate and blood pressure is maintained appropriately in healthy patients
Deep anesthetic depth:
Profound muscle relaxation, no swallowing, corneal/palpebral reflexes are no longer present, eyes are positioned centrally with constricted pupils, respirations may be very slow or apneic, heart rate and blood pressure may be decreased in healthy patients
Sources:
Poli, Gerardo. MiniVet Guide: Companion Animal Medicine. InHouse Publishing, 2016.
Poli, Gerardo. MiniVet Guide: Companion Animal Medicine. InHouse Publishing, 2016.