Premedication
- Identifying, preventing and minimising pain is essential in the elderly patient.
- Midazolam appears to worsen balance and recovery in geriatric patients with peripheral vestibular syndrome.
- Administration of an atypical antidepressant such as trazodone may be considered, as it is fast-acting and of short duration.
- In cats, the use of gabapentin also decreases the level of stress and allows gentle management of the patient.
Induction and maintenance
- Pre-oxygenation for 5 minutes via a face mask is recommended.
- Evaluation of the airway and oral cavity, as different dental and gingival pathologies, masses, etc. may be present.
- Locoregional techniques are recommended.
- In patients who are administered chronic anti-inflammatory drugs, special care must be taken to maintain arterial pressures under general anaesthesia. If hypertension is also present, our aim is to keep it below 70 mmHg.
- Fluid therapy of 3 ml/kg/h in feline and 5 ml/kg/h in canine patients.
