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Sedation vs GA

bunny babe

Wise Old Thumper
:oops: What is the difference and what is involved in both?

Could a sedation be used for a minor dental rather than a GA?

Are there any long term health issues from having these regular e.g. every 4-5 weeks or so?
 
Not sure exactly I assume a GA is completely asleep and unaware of what is going on whereas sedated they are just groggy? Im not sure

Is Homey not well again Sandra?
 
My understanding is that sedation is gas-only, and full GA is injected then gas. When you see a huge long itemized bill with stuff like dexdomitor on it...that's means it's been a full GA
 
Different drugs are used for sedation than for GA

With a GA there is actually more control should the Rabbit have a problem, there is a reversal drug that can be given.

With frequent GAs good fluid therapy (IV or SQ) before and after the GA would be of benefit.
 
I think some vets also use the terms a little interchangeably - so they might refer to a very light, quick GA as 'sedation' to make it sound less scary. I see it as a spectrum rather than two separate things, where sedation could be very light or very heavy, and when the animal is fully anaesthetised I would say it was under GA. I wouldn't say that sedation is necessarily just gas, it could it not just be smaller amounts of the induction agents without the gaseous maintenance?

For me, the issue with a minor dental every 4-5 weeks is more that a good thorough dental under GA might only be needed every 4-5 months or even less if the teeth can get themselves back into normal occlusion from some good detailed dentals. Just doing a quick skim under light sedation might take off sharp points but it won't allow a full burr and re-shape to just above the gum, so it's pretty inevitable that it will need doing more often.
 
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I think some vets also use the terms a little interchangeably - so they might refer to a very light, quick GA as 'sedation' to make it sound less scary. I see it as a spectrum rather than two separate things, where sedation could be very light or very heavy, and when the animal is fully anaesthetised I would say it was under GA. I wouldn't say that sedation is necessarily just gas, it could it not just be smaller amounts of the induction agents without the gaseous maintenance?

For me, the issue with a minor dental every 4-5 weeks is more that a good thorough dental under GA might only be needed every 4-5 months or even less if the teeth can get themselves back into normal occlusion from some good detailed dentals. Just doing a quick skim under light sedation might take off sharp points but it won't allow a full burr and re-shape to just above the gum, so it's pretty inevitable that it will need doing more often.

I think you have summed it up here.

Homer has been having his dentals conscious (please don't start a debate as this has worked well for him with an excellent exotics specialist who I totally trust). My vet is leaving to go home to Europe and I am now trying to figure out what my options are going forward with Homer as I will need to find a new vet (one has been recommended by a few people on here :D)

When Homer goes in every 4-5 weeks it is just to have spurs taken off but it does only last this long before he starts to have problems. Hence he does have a full GA every 6 months where they are levelled out etc but I still then have to take him for the interim little dentals.

I wanted a bit of background really to see if sedation was an option rather than a full GA for the smaller procedure and less risky.

Homer refuses to eat hay (I honestly have tried) but does eat grass which is why the spurs do grow.
 
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Different drugs are used for sedation than for GA

With a GA there is actually more control should the Rabbit have a problem, there is a reversal drug that can be given.
With frequent GAs good fluid therapy (IV or SQ) before and after the GA would be of benefit.

Hmm, so could a GA be safer.
 
I have the same with Dominic, who has missing upper molars, so the corresponding lower ones grow unchecked. We've worked out that a full GA and burring right back lasts him for about 3 months, and gas sedation with minor work to just get rid of the spurs lasts him for about a month.

My vet and I make the choice each time depending on how his health is otherwise. Whilst he had head-tilt we opted for light sedation, but now that he's better we'll do more GAs. He actually had his first GA last week since coming down with head-tilt.
 
Did he eat the redigrass I gave you a while back? I know its a bit high in calcium but you are welcome to some more anytime
 
Did he eat the redigrass I gave you a while back? I know its a bit high in calcium but you are welcome to some more anytime

:( No little horror wouldn't. I might try it again. I can get some locally but would have to be careful if it is high in calcium as he did have to have his bladder flushed out Christmas Day 4 years ago :roll: When I first met my vet actually!

I have also tried the dust free (cost a fortune) but none of them were keen on that, in fact Cassie preferred the cheapo stuff.:roll:
 
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