The veterinary journal
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The veterinary journal · Jul 2012
Electroencephalographic recordings in dogs suffering from idiopathic and symptomatic epilepsy: diagnostic value of interictal short time EEG protocols supplemented by two activation techniques.
The diagnostic value of interictal short time electroencephalographic (EEG) recordings in epileptic dogs under general anaesthesia with propofol and the muscle relaxant rocuronium bromide was investigated. Two activation techniques, namely photic stimulation and hyperventilation, were evaluated for their potential to enhance the diagnostic validity of these recordings. Sixty-one dogs suffering from idiopathic epilepsy and 28 dogs suffering from symptomatic epilepsy were included. ⋯ Quantitative analysis of the EEGs (qEEGs) detected significant differences of frequency analysis in single reading points without any continuous changes of frequency bands. A comparison between healthy and affected brain hemispheres in seven dogs with focal lesions of one hemisphere did not show any significant differences in qEEG analysis. qEEG was not more sensitive than visual evaluation. Despite the use of activation techniques, the results showed that short time EEG recordings in epileptic dogs can detect interictal epileptic activity in less than one third of all seizuring dogs and is not a useful screening method.
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The veterinary journal · Jun 2012
Clinical TrialVentral ultrasound-guided suprainguinal approach to block the femoral nerve in the dog.
This prospective study assessed a ventral ultrasound-guided suprainguinal approach to block the femoral nerve (FN) in dogs. The anatomical features of the FN were evaluated in four canine cadavers. In another five cadavers, the FN was located by ultrasound-guidance and the accuracy of this technique was evaluated by injection of black ink and posterior evaluation of the degree of staining of the nerves. ⋯ The distribution of lidocaine around the nerve and the presence of motor deficit were evaluated. The FN was easily located and accurately blocked in all cases. This new ultrasound-guided approach was reliable for blocking the FN and might be a suitable alternative to the traditional approaches described to block the FN in the dog.
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The veterinary journal · Jun 2012
Randomized Controlled TrialReversal of profound rocuronium or vecuronium-induced neuromuscular block with sugammadex in isoflurane-anaesthetised dogs.
This study evaluated the use of sugammadex for reversal of profound neuromuscular blockade induced with rocuronium or vecuronium in dogs. Anaesthesia was induced and maintained with isoflurane in oxygen in eight dogs on two occasions. Neuromuscular blockade was monitored using peroneal nerve stimulation and acceleromyography. ⋯ No other significant differences were found between the two groups. After both rocuronium and vecuronium blockade, T4/T1 recovered to 0.9 in under 2 min after sugammadex (58.1 ± 67.8s and 98.1 ± 70.3s, respectively; P<0.32). Sugammadex can reverse profound neuromuscular blockade induced by vecuronium or rocuronium safely and rapidly in isoflurane-anaesthetised dogs.
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The veterinary journal · May 2012
Clinical evaluation of an end-tidal target-controlled infusion closed-loop system for isoflurane administration in horses undergoing surgical procedures.
A new volatile anaesthetic agent delivery system was tested in 15 horses undergoing scheduled surgical procedures. The delivery system consisted of a laptop computer (with dedicated software), a computer-controlled syringe driver (loaded with liquid isoflurane) connected to the inspiratory arm of a large-animal circle breathing system and a respiratory gas monitor, providing isoflurane end-tidal concentrations (ET(measured)) every 20 s to the computer. Following induction and connection to the breathing system, mechanical ventilation was started. ⋯ A target of 1.5% end-tidal isoflurane was initially used and subsequently adjusted to the clinical requirements. The system performance was evaluated using the median prediction error (MDPE) and the median absolute performance error (MDAPE), which were -3.6% and 5.29%, respectively. It was concluded that this system was useful to achieve end-tidal target-controlled infusion of isoflurane during equine anaesthesia.
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The veterinary journal · May 2012
Biomechanical evaluation of a novel nucleus pulposus prosthesis in canine cadaveric spines.
Partial disc replacement is a new surgical technique aimed at restoring functionality to degenerated intervertebral discs (IVDs). The aim of the present study was to assess biomechanically the behaviour of a novel nucleus pulposus prosthesis (NPP) in situ and its ability to restore functionality to the canine IVD after nuclectomy alone or after combined dorsal laminectomy and nuclectomy. Nine canine T13-L5 specimens (L2L3 group) and 10 L5-Cd1 specimens (LS group) were tested biomechanically in the native state, after nuclectomy (L2L3 group) or after combined dorsal laminectomy and nuclectomy (LS group), and after insertion of the NPP. ⋯ Implantation of the NPP resulted in significant restoration of the parameters (ROM, NZ, and NZS) towards the native state; however, fragmentation/herniation of the NPP occurred in 47% of the cases. In conclusion, the NPP has the ability to improve functionality of the nuclectomized canine IVD. The high rate of NPP failure requires modifications directed at the integrity of the NPP and its confinement to the nuclear cavity.