Why is fasting recommended before anesthesia in food animals?

• A. To improve recovery time after surgery
• B. To reduce the risk of aspiration during the procedure
• C. To enhance the effects of sedatives
• D. To prevent dehydration during anesthesia

Answer: (B)

Fasting before anesthesia in food animals is recommended primarily to reduce the risk of aspiration during the procedure. When an animal is under anesthesia, the protective reflexes of the airway, such as swallowing and coughing, are diminished. If the animal has recently eaten, there is a higher chance that stomach contents could be regurgitated and inhaled into the lungs, leading to aspiration pneumonia, which is a serious complication.

Fasting ensures that the stomach is empty, significantly lowering the chances of this occurrence. This precaution is particularly important in food animals, which can have larger quantities of ingested material in their digestive systems compared to other species. By mitigating the risk of aspiration, the safety of the anesthetic procedure is greatly enhanced, thereby contributing to a more favorable outcome for the animal.

The other options address aspects of anesthesia that, while important, do not directly correlate with the primary aim of fasting, which is to ensure airway safety.