GENERAL-PRINCIPLES OF ANESTHESIA AND SEDATION IN FOOD ANIMALS

Minimal-risk anesthesia practice demands that fundamental physiologic and pharmacologic principles be applied to the specific medical and su rgical needs of individual patients. In developing an anesthesia plan for a patient, health status must be assessed and considered along wit h other extrinsic factors such as the physical setting in which the an esthetic procedure will be performed, the availability of equipment an d supplies, and the academic and technical training and abilities of p articipating personnel. This article reviews considerations for develo ping anesthesia protocols for ruminant and swine species.