RE: [RC] Fw: Do I feed prior to sedation? - Susan E. Garlinghouse, DVM
Yes, you can feed him normally, right up to five minutes before
sedation.
The reason to withhold food prior to anesthesia in some species
is to lessen the chances of vomiting as a response to some of the drugs used,
which can then possibly lead to an aspiration pneumonia. Horses can’t vomit,
so no risk. You generally withhold food for an hour or so AFTER sedation or
anesthesia, though---horses often think they can competently swallow before
they’re really awake enough to do so, and can sometimes give themselves an esophageal
obstruction (a ‘choke’), which isn’t life threatening assuming someone notices
the problem, but pesky.
Hope this helps.
Susan Garlinghouse, DVM
From: ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:ridecamp-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Lindak Sent: Tuesday, March 25, 2008 6:43 AM To: Ridecamp Subject: [RC] Fw: Do I feed prior to sedation?
My vet is coming out here
at 0800 this a.m. to geld my 9 mo. old colt. My question is "should
I be feeding him as he will be laying down sedated for the
procedure?" I know people aren't supposed to eat for 8 hours prior
to being put under. Does this apply to horses? My vet didn't say
anything about it so I "assume" it is alright to feed but just wanted
to make sure as I didn't think to ask my vet and I can't reach him until he
gets here to do the opn. Thanks for any quick help.
