• Paolo Franci, Elizabeth A Leece, and Federico Corletto.
• Department of Animal Medicine, Production and Health, Università degli Studi di Padova - Padua Italy. paolo.franci@unipd.it
• Vet Surg. 2012 Oct 1;41(7):884-9.

ObjectiveTo describe a technique for insertion of a thoracic epidural catheter.Study DesignClinical report.AnimalsDogs (n = 3) undergoing thoracic wall resection and thoracotomy.MethodsA paramedian approach with cephalic angulation was used to place a 24-g epidural catheter in 3 dogs. Dogs 1 and 2 had left caudal thoracic wall resection and dog 3 had left thoracotomy. In dog 1, the epidural catheter was inserted at L2-L3 intervertebral space and the tip of the catheter advanced to the level of T13 vertebral body. In dog 2, the epidural catheter was inserted at T12-T13 intervertebral space and the tip of the catheter was advanced to the level of T8 vertebral body. In dog 3, the epidural catheter was inserted at T13-L1 intervertebral space and its tip advanced until reaching the vertebral body of T10. All dogs were administered a combination of bupivacaine and morphine through the epidural catheter to provide intra- and postoperative analgesia.ResultsThe peridural space was identified and the tip of the catheter was positioned where intended in all dogs. Dog 1 developed transient Horner's syndrome and dog 3 required intraoperative fentanyl during the first part of the procedure.ConclusionParamedian approach with cephalad angulation is a suitable technique to place thoracic epidural catheters in dogs.© Copyright 2012 by The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.

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