Neurologic disease

Canine and feline patients with diseases involving the nervous system often require anesthesia for diagnostic imaging, sample collection, or treatment of the disease pathology. Understanding the physiology and pathology of the nervous system is important when considering an anesthetic plan during which the goal should be optimization of cerebral blood flow (CBF) and perfusion and prevention of increases in intracranial pressure (ICP). Head trauma may affect ventilatory centers; therefore, adequate oxygenation and ventilation must also be a priority. Traumatic brain injury is divided into primary and secondary events. Patients with nervous system dysfunction or injury to nervous system tissues, similar to that which might occur in patients with intervertebral disk disease, are at risk for developing neuropathic pain. The goals of anesthetic management should focus on using a balanced, multimodal approach while providing adequate analgesia. As these patients may be experiencing neuropathic pain, opioids alone may not be sufficient.