Journal of feline medicine and surgery
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J. Feline Med. Surg. · Jun 2015
Validation of the dorsal approach for the blockade of the femoral nerve using ultrasound and nerve electrolocation in cats.
This study was conducted to validate the dorsal approach for femoral nerve (FN) blockade in cats and to verify the efficacy of the sole use of peripheral nerve electrolocation (PNE) or ultrasound (US)-guided technique to achieve the block. ⋯ The combined use of PNE and US-guided technique enabled validation of the dorsal approach for the FN blockade as it provided a successful FN blockade in all cases. The sole use of a US-guided technique may offer some advantages over the use of a sole PNE-guided technique to perform these blocks.
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J. Feline Med. Surg. · Jun 2015
Comparative StudyComparison of two techniques for ultrasound-guided axillary brachial plexus blockade in cats.
Axillary blockade of the brachial plexus (BP) is advocated in humans and dogs for surgical procedures carried out on the foot, carpus and elbow as it provides complete analgesia distally from above the elbow joint. The aim of this study was to develop an ultrasound (US)-guided approach to block the BP in cats. Two groups of 12 feline cadavers each were used to compare two different techniques to block the BP at the axillary level. ⋯ Rate of complications was higher in the FAD technique. In conclusion, a US-guided axillary approach to the BP by the use of a FAB technique is a safe and feasible procedure to block the BP in the cat. Further studies are needed to ascertain whether the technique can be applied in a clinical setting.
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J. Feline Med. Surg. · Jun 2015
Sedative, hematologic and hemostatic effects of dexmedetomidine-butorphanol alone or in combination with ketamine in cats.
Acute stress induced by physical restraint can interfere with the validity of laboratory findings. Sedation could minimize such stress. However, it is not known whether sedation can affect hematologic and hemostatic parameters in cats. ⋯ Certain hemostatic parameters (PT, aPTT and TT) were higher in the DB group (P <0.05). The onset of sedation was similar in the two groups, and the duration of sedation was longer in the DBK group. Both sedation protocols were effective for short-duration chemical restraint for blood collection from the studied cats, and no clinically relevant effects on hematologic or hemostatic parameters were detected.