• C Adami, K Veres-Nyéki, C Spadavecchia, U Rytz, and A Bergadano.
• Department of Veterinary Clinical Science, Anaesthesiology and Pain Therapy Division, Vetsuisse-Faculty, University of Berne, 3012 Berne, Switzerland. chiara.adami@vetsuisse.unibe.ch
• Vet. J. 2012 Nov 1; 194 (2): 229-34.

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to compare four epidural protocols for peri-operative analgesia in dogs undergoing tibial plateau levelling osteotomy. Forty client-owned dogs were randomly assigned to one of four treatments - groups R0.5 and R1 received 0.5mg/kg and 1mg/kg ropivacaine, respectively. Group SR0.5 received 1 μg/kg sufentanil plus 0.5mg/kg ropivacaine, and group SER0.5 received 1 μg/kg sufentanil, 0.5mg/kg ropivacaine plus 6 μg/kg epinephrine. Dilution, when required, was performed with saline, so that the injected volume was always 0.2 mL/kg. Intra-operatively, nociception assessment was based on the evaluation of changes in heart rate, respiratory rate and mean arterial pressure. Post-operative pain assessment was performed using the Glasgow visual analogue pain scale, and an ad hoc multifactorial pain score. Motor block was evaluated using a modified Bromage score. Intra-operatively, none of the animals was hypotensive. All groups except SER0.5 required rescue intra-operative fentanyl (40%, 30% and 40% of the animals in groups R0.5, R1 and SR0.5, respectively). Group SER0.5 showed lower post-operative pain scores, and group R1 significantly greater motor block, compared to the other treatment groups. None of the dogs had urinary retention. Epidural sufentanil-epinephrine-ropivacaine provided superior peri-operative analgesia compared to the other treatments, without producing clinically relevant side effects.Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

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