Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia
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To evaluate the dye extent and distribution at the lumbar plexus (LP) of three volumes of local anaesthetic-methylene-blue solution administered close to the femoral nerve (FN) by the use of a ventral ultrasound (US)-guided suprainguinal approach (SIA). ⋯ A volume of 0.2 mL kg(-1) administered close to the FN by a ventral US-guided SIA produced a sufficient distribution of the injectate within the IPM to produce effective staining of the FN and ON. This US-guided technique may be an appropriate alternative to previously reported techniques based on electrolocation to block the FN and ON in the dog.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effects of a constant rate infusion of magnesium sulphate in healthy dogs anaesthetized with isoflurane and undergoing ovariohysterectomy.
To determine the effects of intravenous (IV) magnesium sulphate (MgSO(4) ) as a bolus followed by a constant rate infusion (CRI) on anaesthetic requirements, neuroendocrine stress response to surgery, haemostasis and postoperative analgesia in healthy dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy. ⋯ As used in this study, MgSO(4) failed to decrease isoflurane requirements, postoperative pain and stress hormone concentrations; however, it did not produce any cardio-respiratory or major haemostatic side effects. Administration of intravenous MgSO(4) together with an opioid during ovariohysterectomy in dogs does not seem to provide any clinical advantage.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Comparison of analgesic efficacy of epidural methadone or ropivacaine/methadone with or without pre-operative oral tepoxalin in dogs undergoing tuberositas tibiae advancement surgery.
To investigate the clinical efficacy of four analgesia protocols in dogs undergoing tibial tuberosity advancement (TTA). ⋯ Inclusion of epidural ropivacaine resulted in reduction of Fe'ISO(60) , avoidance of intra-operative fentanyl administration, a longer duration of post-operative analgesia (in TRM) and a delay in time to standing compared to TM.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Assessment of the effects of adjunctive gabapentin on postoperative pain after intervertebral disc surgery in dogs.
To assess the effect of adjunctive gabapentin (GBP) on pain after thoracolumbar intervertebral disc surgery in dogs. ⋯ 10 mg kg(-1) GBP orally twice a day did not result in a detectable reduction in pain behaviour compared to background opioid analgesia alone, although a trend to lower pain levels (p < 0.1) was present. Further studies are needed to determine if this is related to effective background analgesia or an ineffective dose of GBP.
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Case Reports
Fatal overdose after ingestion of a transdermal fentanyl patch in two non-human primates.
CASE HISTORY AND PRESENTATION: Two non-human primates (Macaca fascicularis), weight 3.5 kg, enrolled in an experimental protocol received a 25 μg hour(-1) transdermal fentanyl patch for postoperative analgesia. The following day both animals were clinically normal, but after a new induction of anaesthesia with ketamine, they developed severe and prolonged respiratory distress, profound coma and myosis. MANAGEMENT AND FOLLOW-UP: Attempted reversal with naloxone was ineffective. After several hours of ventilation, both primates eventually died, 7 and 15 hours after ketamine injection, respectively. In both cases, the patch was discovered in the animal's cheek pouch. Subsequent fentanyl serum concentration measurements (8.29 and 14.80 μg L(-1) ) confirmed fentanyl overdose. ⋯ This report of two fatal intoxications in non-human primates secondary to ingestion of a transdermal fentanyl patch demonstrates that this method of analgesia is inappropriate for non-human primates, because of their tendency to chew almost anything they can reach.