Question:

In cattle, anticholinergic drugs are not routinely used as a premedicant before anesthesia due to following reasons
(A). Increase the motility of gastrointestinal motility
(B). Make the salivary secretions thick and viscid
(C). Increase physiological dead space in respiratory tract
(D). Produce sinus bradycardia
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Show Hint

Do not use atropine routinely in ruminants!
It makes their abundant saliva thick and sticky, increasing airway plugging risks, and it stops rumen motility, leading to dangerous bloat.
  • (A), (B) and (C) only.
  • (B), (C) and (D) only.
  • (B) and (C) only.
  • (C) and (D) only.
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The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Anticholinergic agents (such as atropine and glycopyrrolate) block parasympathetic muscarinic receptors.
While routinely used in carnivores to prevent bradycardia and decrease salivary secretions, their use in ruminants is generally avoided due to species-specific adverse effects.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:

Let us analyze why anticholinergics are avoided in cattle:
- Viscid Saliva (B): Ruminants produce large volumes of saliva daily.
Anticholinergics do not stop saliva production entirely; instead, they reduce the water content, making the remaining secretions extremely thick, viscid, and ropey.
This increases the risk of airway obstruction or endotracheal tube blockage. Thus, (B) is a correct reason.
- Increased Physiological Dead Space (C): Anticholinergics cause bronchodilation.
In ruminants, this increases the anatomical and physiological dead space in the respiratory tract, reducing ventilation efficiency. Thus, (C) is a correct reason.
- Evaluating Statement (A): Anticholinergics decrease gastrointestinal motility.
This can cause rumen stasis (atony) and bloat in ruminants, making statement (A) incorrect.
- Evaluating Statement (D): Anticholinergics block vagal tone, causing sinus tachycardia (increased heart rate), not bradycardia. Thus, (D) is incorrect.

Step 3: Final Answer:

The reasons are (B) and (C). This corresponds to option (C).
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