Reducing risk in equine anaesthesia part 2: specific risk factors, human factors and safety checklists

Abstract

Performing general anaesthesia in horses carries an inherent risk. Knowledge of the physiological, pharmacological and practical considerations unique to horses is important to be able to minimise this risk and to address complications should they arise. This article discusses the physiological considerations of subsets of the equine population; aspects of human and patient safety; and methods to reduce human error.