The recovery area
Recovery from anaesthesia should be smooth, without excitement, or prolonged recumbence and should be pain free.
Since all animals will require some degree of special attention in the post-operative period, it is preferable to provide a separate recovery area. This not only enables more appropriate environmental conditions to be maintained but also encourages individual attention and special nursing.
Suitable bedding should be provided. Sawdust and shavings are generally unsuitable, as they can clog or abrade the animal’s eyes, nose and mouth. It is preferable to use towelling or “Dry-bed” ( synthetic sheepskin bedding ).
Temperature considerations
The recovery area should be warm ( 30-35°C ) and this higher temperature should be provided until the animal has regained consciousness. A temperature of 35°C should then be maintained for neonatal animals, 25-30°C for small rodents, and 25°C for larger animals. The temperature can gradually be reduced to the normal range for the species as the animal regains normal activity. This is easiest to achieve by using a purpose made incubator or recovery pen.
We also need to make sure not to overheat the animal. Heating lamps can cause damage to an animal if placed too closely as recovering animals are unable to move away from the heat.
We need to keep recovering animals dry.
Do we still need to support respiration?
We no longer need to provide oxygen so long as the animal is breathing normally, but we do need to continue to monitor respiration carefully.
While recovering consciousness, animals should be placed on their sides or on their chests. When in one of these positions they are less likely to have a respiratory obstruction than when lying on their backs.
Giving food and water
Once the animal has recovered from anaesthesia and is moving normally it can be offered food and water. This can be done simply by returning it to its home cage or food can be placed in the recovery area.
Providing analgesia
Minor procedures should only result in mild post-operative pain, but this should be assessed and controlled, for example by administration of an NSAID such as Carprofen.
Disposal of anaesthetic agents
Any injectable or volatile anaesthetics that remain after you have completed an anaesthetic need to be stored safely and securely or disposed of safely.
The regulations controlling this will vary in different countries. If you are obtaining the anaesthetic agents from your animal unit, they will be able to advise you on what procedure needs to be followed. If you have purchased the anaesthetic agents yourself, then your veterinary advisor, or the supplier, should be able to advise you on safe disposal and storage.
As a general guide, small quantities of injectable anaesthetic remaining in a syringe can be disposed of in a hazardous waste “sharps” bin.