Description

As animals age several physiological changes occur which impact on how we manage their anaesthesia. These include changes in the reserve capacity of all major organs. A decrease in the number of neurons and neurotransmitters decrease the requirement for inhalant anaesthetics. Changes in hepatic and renal function and in body composition alter the uptake, distribution and elimination of many drugs used in the perioperative period. Once the “physiology of ageing” is understood, the best drugs, doses and dosing intervals can be chosen for anaesthesia and analgesia. Based on the physiological changes that occur in ageing dogs and cats, titratable, short acting and reversible drugs are ideal for anaesthesia combined with anaesthetic sparing techniques which include loco-regional anaesthesia. Many older pets suffer from degenerative joint disease therefore careful handling including positioning during surgery are important. Older animals are extremely prone to hypothermia which has far reaching effects including increased bleeding, delayed recovery and shivering, discomfort and increased oxygen requirements during the recovery phase