Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia
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Randomized Controlled Trial
The effects of propofol, isoflurane and sevoflurane on vecuronium infusion rates for surgical muscle relaxation in dogs.
To compare the constant rate infusion (CRI) of vecuronium required to maintain a level of neuromuscular blockade adequate for major surgeries, e.g. thoracotomy or laparotomy, in dogs anaesthetized with a CRI of fentanyl and either propofol, isoflurane or sevoflurane. ⋯ The mean continuous infusion rates of vecuronium during stable infusion were 0.22 +/- 0.04 (mean +/- SD), 0.10 +/- 0.02 and 0.09 +/- 0.02 mg kg(-1) hour(-1) in groups P, I and S respectively. There were statistically significant differences between the rates in groups P and I and between the rates in groups P and S. Conclusions and clinical relevance In healthy dogs, the recommended maintenance infusion rate of vecuronium is 0.2 mg kg(-1) hour(-1) under CRI propofol-fentanyl anaesthesia and 0.1 mg kg(-1) hour(-1) during CRI fentanyl-isoflurane or sevoflurane anaesthesia.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
The effect of hyoscine on dobutamine requirement in spontaneously breathing horses anaesthetized with halothane.
To determine whether hyoscine has a sparing effect on the volume of dobutamine required to maintain mean arterial pressure (MAP) at 70 mmHg in horses anaesthetized with halothane. ⋯ The increase in heart rate and blood pressure that occurs after 0.1 mg kg(-1) hyoscine is given IV in anaesthetized horses, is of short duration and does not significantly alter the amount of dobutamine required to maintain arterial pressure over the next 30 minutes. Clinical relevance The short duration of action of 0.1 mg kg(-1) hyoscine IV may limit its usefulness for correction of hypotension in horses anaesthetized with halothane. Further work is necessary to investigate the effects of higher or repeated doses or constant rate infusions of hyoscine.
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A chronic pain syndrome, similar to the complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) described in human beings, was diagnosed in a cow with persisting severe pelvic limb lameness. Diagnosis was based on the disproportionate relationship between the severity and duration of pain and the lesion, the failure of conventional analgesic and surgical therapy and the presence of characteristic clinical features. Multimodal therapy, i.e. a mixture of methadone, ketamine and bupivacaine was administered continuously for 17 days via an extradural catheter to counteract nociceptive hypersensitization. ⋯ The diagnosis of CRPS in cattle is unusual. In this case, treatment was successful and the cow was discharged mildly lame and in improving physical condition. Long-term extradural analgesia proved to be safe and effective in the treatment of this syndrome, which was nonresponsive to conventional therapy.
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Case Reports
Successful resuscitation from cardiac arrest associated with extradural lidocaine in a dog.
Extradural lidocaine exerts several adverse effects which are seldom fatal. While cardiac arrest following extradural lidocaine injection has been reported in human beings, it has not hitherto been reported in dogs. ⋯ Extradural local anaesthetic administration is not without risk and the technique should be tailored to individual animals. Constant monitoring is required to detect potentially fatal complications and increase the likelihood of successful outcome.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Changes in the minimum alveolar concentration of isoflurane and some cardiopulmonary measurements during three continuous infusion rates of dexmedetomidine in dogs.
To measure the change in the minimum alveolar concentration of isoflurane associated with three constant rate infusions of dexmedetomidine. ⋯ Dexmedetomidine infusions decrease the intra-operative requirement for isoflurane and may be useful in managing dogs undergoing surgery, where the provision of analgesia and limitation of the stress response is desirable.