How do you prevent laryngospasm in cats before inducing anesthesia?

Preventing laryngospasm in cats is crucial during the induction of anesthesia, as this reflex can lead to significant complications when manipulating the airway. The application of 1-2% Lidocaine spray is effective in preventing this reflex because lidocaine acts as a topical anesthetic. By applying this spray to the larynx prior to intubation, it numbs the tissue and mitigates the reflexive closure of the vocal cords typical in laryngospasm, allowing for smoother intubation and easier airway management.

The other options, while important in their respective contexts, do not specifically target the prevention of laryngospasm in the same effective manner. Acepromazine is primarily used as a sedative and does not directly influence the laryngeal reflex. Medications like atropine and glycopyrrolate can decrease secretions but do not provide the direct numbing effect that lidocaine does. Finally, avoiding halothane might be a consideration for other reasons, but it does not address the prevention of laryngospasm directly, as this inhalant anesthetic is not commonly used in contemporary practices due to better alternatives. Therefore, the application of Lidocaine is the most targeted approach for preventing laryngospasm in