NAC638.710. Requirements for use of general anesthesia.

     1. A veterinarian shall comply with the following requirements when putting an animal under general anesthesia:

     (a) The animal must be given a physical examination not more than 12 hours before the anesthetic is administered. The physical examination must include, without limitation, an examination and written notation of:

          (1) The temperature;

          (2) The pulse rate;

          (3) The respiration;

          (4) The color of the mucous membrane; and

          (5) The thoracic auscultation,

Ê of the animal.

     (b) The animal must be under continuous observation while it is under general anesthesia until the swallowing reflex of the animal has returned.

     (c) The animal must not be released until it has been examined by a veterinarian and it is ambulating. This paragraph must not be construed to prohibit the direct transfer of an animal under general anesthesia to an appropriate facility for observation.

     (d) The following equipment must be available in the veterinary facility and must be in working order at all times:

          (1) An anesthetic machine with breathing bags appropriate to the size of the animal under general anesthesia;

          (2) An assortment of cuffed endotracheal tubes; and

          (3) An oxygen delivery system.

     (e) If it is appropriate for the species of animal when the swallowing reflex is impaired, the animal must be intubated and administered an appropriate concentration of oxygen.

     (f) A method of monitoring respiration must be used, which may include, without limitation:

          (1) Observing the chest movements of the animal;

          (2) Watching the rebreathing bag; or

          (3) Using a respirometer.

     (g) A method of monitoring cardiac activity must be used, which may include, without limitation, the use of:

          (1) A stethoscope; or

          (2) An electrocardiographic monitor.

     (h) Adequate surgical support, including, without limitation, an intravenous catheter, fluids and monitoring, as indicated by the status of the animal and the standard of care required of a licensed veterinarian under the circumstances, must be available.

     (i) A written history must be maintained by the veterinarian for each animal put under general anesthesia, which must include, without limitation:

          (1) The name or identification number of the animal.

          (2) The medical history of the animal that is relevant to the administration of general anesthesia, which must include, without limitation, a description of any preexisting medical conditions and tests performed on the animal before surgery.

          (3) A description of the general anesthesia used at the time of surgery.

          (4) The method of monitoring that was used to comply with paragraphs (f) and (g).

     2. As used in this section, “general anesthesia” means a controlled state of unconsciousness caused by a drug or combination of drugs that is sufficient to produce a state of unconsciousness or disassociation and a blocked response to pain or alarming stimulus.

     (Added to NAC by Bd. of Veterinary Med. Exam’rs by R220-97, eff. 8-5-98; A by R069-01, 10-12-2001)