Anesthesia and Analgesia in Nonhuman Primates

Publisher Summary This chapter provides an understanding of the techniques, methodologies, and agents that have been reported in commonly used nonhuman primates. Preoperative assessment includes history of previous use, physical examination, pertinent laboratory data, and the influence of the current experimental protocol on anesthetic management. Despite the limitations associated with performing a thorough physical examination in the awake nonhuman primate, important signs of illness that can be readily identified are unusual posture or behavior, anorexia, and abnormal urine or feces. Physiological disorders that are most commonly encountered during postoperative recovery include pulmonary and circulatory complications, hypothermia, and pain. Intraoperative monitoring provides the means to assess physiological function during anesthesia and to ascertain the proper functioning of anesthetic equipment. It allows prompt recognition of adverse reactions and improves the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions. However, the use of monitoring equipment is intended to enhance but not substitute for the awareness on the part of the anesthesiologist.