Which disease may cause anesthetic complications in pigs?

• A. Atrophic rhinitis
• B. Orf
• C. Pasteurellosis
• D. Enzootic pneumonia

Answer: (D)

The key idea is that chronic lung disease that impairs gas exchange increases the risk of complications during anesthesia. Enzootic pneumonia, caused by Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, produces a persistent alteration in lung function with reduced lung compliance and diffusion, so the pig has less reserve to handle the depressant effects of anesthetic agents. Under anesthesia, this makes hypoxemia and ventilation–perfusion mismatch more likely, and the animal may struggle to oxygenate and CO2 offload adequately. That’s why this disease is most likely to cause anesthetic complications.

The other options don’t fit as well. Atrophic rhinitis mainly affects the nasal passages and can complicate airway management, but it doesn’t usually produce the diffuse lung impairment that markedly raises anesthesia risk. Orf causes facial and oral lesions without systemic respiratory compromise. Pasteurellosis can cause pneumonia as well, but enzootic pneumonia is the classic, more chronic lung disease in pigs that specifically predisposes to anesthesia-related respiratory issues.