Anesthetic depression and hypoventilation may have a more pronounced affect in a pediatric patient. Induction of anesthesia and recovery from anesthesia by inhaled gases is more rapid because of high alveolar ventilation in pediatric animals. Very young patients also have very a compliant thorax that may collapse during inspiration. This makes it difficult for the neonate to overcome hypoventilation on its own and careful ventilation assistance should be provided by gentle intermittent positive pressure ventilation. Puppies and kittens over 4 weeks old can spontaneously ventilate, but an occasional assisted breath can aid prevention of atelectasis just as in the adult patient. .
Some anesthesiologists feel they are necessary.
Anticholinergics may not be efficacious in puppies and kittens less than 2 weeks of age because of autonomic nervous system immaturity. This inhalant is particularly well suited for the pediatric patient because of its low solubility and therefore rapid inductions and recoveries. It also requires less metabolism and depresses the cardiovascular system less than halothane. This inhalant is can also be used very effectively but isoflurane has advantages if available. Avoid airway trauma by gentle intubation and suctioning of the tube is recommended every 30 minutes to remove airway secretions that can impair ventilation with when small tube diameters are used.