Welfare and pregnancy rate of ewes undergoing transcervical artificial insemination with ketamine subarachnoid anesthesia.

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of subarachnoid anesthesia with ketamine during transcervical artificial insemination (TCAI) on the welfare of ewes and on subsequent pregnancy rates. Ninety Suffolk adult ewes were randomized into three treatment groups: control group (CG), which underwent the TCAI procedure as established by cervical traction (CG; n = 30) and two groups that received subarachnoid anesthesia with ketamine at a dose of either 0.75 mg/kg (KE0.75; n = 30) or 1.5 mg/kg (KE1.5; n = 30) 5 min before the cervical traction procedure. Intrauterine insemination was performed using frozen semen from three males previously analyzed and approved for fertility. The use of subarachnoid anesthesia decreased ewes' vocalizations (P = 0.0001) and abdominal contraction (P = 0.0150) during cervical manipulations. The CG had more groans and vocalizations at the moment of cervix clamping and applicator passage through the cervix (P = 0.001). The cervix traction was facilitated by anesthesia. For the control group, most of the cervical traction was done just up to the middle of the vagina (P = 0.0021). Pregnancy rates increased significantly with anesthesia (P = 0.04) as shown by the rates of 40.0%, 56.7%, and 66.7% for CG, KE1.5, and KE0.75, respectively. The CG showed behaviors associated with absolute immobility, which is suggestive of distress. In brief, the use of ketamine in subarachnoid anesthesia for transcervical artificial insemination in ewes facilitated cervical traction, increased the pregnancy rate, and improved animal welfare.

Thoracic epidural analgesia via the lumbosacral approach using multiport catheters with a low concentration of bupivacaine and morphine in sheep.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the analgesic and systemic effects of thoracic epidural administration of bupivacaine (BP) and morphine (MP) in conscious sheep. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized, crossover, experimental study. ANIMALS: Six healthy castrated sheep weighing between 40 and 50 kg. METHODS: Each sheep received, via the lumbosacral approach, BP (0.5 mg kg(-1)), MP (0.1 mg kg(-1)), and BP plus MP (BPMP; 0.25 mg kg(-1) + 0.05 mg kg(-1)) in a randomized order. Heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, blood gas analysis, skin temperature, rectal temperature, analgesia, sedation, and motor blockade were determined before treatment and at predetermined intervals until analgesia had disappeared. RESULTS: The main areas of complete analgesia for the BP and BPMP treatments were the thorax and forelimb bilaterally. The median duration of analgesia was shorter with MP treatment (45 minutes; score 2) than with BP treatment (70 minutes) and BPMP treatment (140 minutes; p < 0.05). The BP and BPMP treatments caused motor block, and MP and BPMP treatments showed mild sedation. Significant decreases in systolic and diastolic arterial blood pressures were observed only with the BP treatment (p < 0.05). Epidural MP combined with the BP local anesthetic depressed ventilation but within acceptable limits in these clinically healthy sheep. CONCLUSIONS: Thoracic epidural administration of BPMP to sheep resulted in longer duration of analgesia of the thorax and forelimbs bilaterally in conscious sheep than the administration of MP or BP alone. The incidence of complications was low, but side-effects such as depressed ventilation and muscle paralysis occurred and require appropriate management. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This technique should be considered as another method for the relief of postoperative pain after thoracic surgery in sheep.

Evaluation of segmental dorsolumbar epidural analgesia with ketamine hydrochloride administered by use of nonstyletted multiple-port catheters via the caudal approach in cattle.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate use of nonstyletted multiple-port catheters for epidural administration of ketamine hydrochloride via the caudal approach to induce analgesia of the paralumbar fossa (flank) in cattle. ANIMALS: 6 healthy bulls. PROCEDURES: 1 week before experiments began, a multiple-port catheter was inserted by use of a Tuohy needle in all cattle via the caudal approach (between the first and second coccygeal vertebrae); the tip was threaded approximately 48 cm cranial into the dorsolumbar region. Each bull was administered ketamine (0.3, 0.5, or 0.7 mg/kg) at time 0. Heart rate, blood pressures, respiratory rate, rectal temperature, analgesia, sedation, and ataxia were determined before treatment (baseline [time 0]); at 5, 10, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, and 90 minutes; and every 30 minutes thereafter until end of analgesia. RESULTS: All multiple-port catheters were threaded with negligible resistance into the dorsolumbar region in all bulls. All doses of ketamine were effective for inducing analgesia of the flank region of bulls in a standing position. Total analgesia time was dose dependent (35, 50, and 80 minutes for 0.3, 0.5, and 0.7 mg/kg, respectively). All doses of ketamine induced mild or moderate ataxia. Heart rate changes were within acceptable limits. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Segmental dorsolumbar epidural analgesia with ketamine administered via multiple-port catheters by use of the caudal approach in cattle was feasible, and the cattle remained standing with minimal adverse effects. Further studies are necessary to determine whether this technique provides optimal conditions to allow surgery in standing cattle.

Segmental dorsolumbar epidural analgesia via the caudal approach using multiple port catheters with ketamine or lidocaine or in combination in cattle.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the analgesic and systemic effects of epidural administration of ketamine, lidocaine or a combination of ketamine/lidocaine in standing cattle. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, experimental trial. ANIMALS: Six healthy male cattle weighing between 335 and 373 kg. METHODS: The animals received 0.5 mg kg(-1) of ketamine (K), 0.2 mg kg(-1) of 2% lidocaine (L) or 0.25 mg kg(-1) ketamine plus 0.1 mg kg(-1) lidocaine (KL). All the drugs were injected into the dorsolumbar epidural space via a caudal approach through a non-styletted multiple-port catheter. Each animal received each treatment at random. Evaluations of analgesia, sedation, ataxia, heart rate, arterial pressure, respiratory rate, skin temperature and rectal temperature were obtained at 0 (basal), 5, 10, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90 minutes after epidural injection, and then at 30-minute intervals until loss of analgesia occurred. Skin temperature was taken at these intervals up to 60 minutes. All the animals received a standard noxious stimulus; a 4-point scale was used to score the response. A second scale was used to score ataxia and a third for sedation. RESULTS: The duration of analgesia in the upper and lower flanks in cattle was 140 +/- 15, 50 +/- 14 and 80 +/- 22 minutes (mean +/- SD) after dorsolumbar epidural KL, K or L, respectively. The cardiovascular changes were within acceptable limits in these clinically healthy cattle. CONCLUSIONS: Dorsolumbar epidural administration of KL to cattle resulted in longer duration of analgesia of the upper and lower flanks in standing conscious cattle, than the administration of K or L alone. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Further research is necessary to determine whether this combination using this technique provides sufficient analgesia for flank surgery in standing cattle.

Dexmedetomidine and Bupivacaine Association in Caudal Epidural Injection in Mares.

The objective of the study was to compare the effects of caudal epidural bupivacaine and dexmedetomidine (DEX) combination, with bupivacaine or DEX plain for perineal analgesia in mares. Six healthy saddle mares weighing 330-370 kg and aged 10-15 years were used in this study. Each mare was assigned to receive three treatments: 0.04 mg/kg 0.25% bupivacaine (BP), 2 µg/kg DEX (DX), or 0.02 mg/kg bupivacaine and 1 µg/kg DEX (BPDX). The order of treatments was randomized. All drugs were injected into the caudal epidural space (Co1-Co2) through a 16-G Tuohy epidural needle. After the epidural injections, heart rate, respiratory rate, arterial blood pressures (systolic, diastolic, and mean), and rectal temperature were measured at 5, 10, 15, 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes, and after this time, every 60 minutes until the end of the experiments. A subjective score system was used to assess analgesia, behavioral and motor blockade at the same time points. The BPDX treatment produced analgesic action with twice the duration (200 minutes) of the BP treatment (97 minutes), but with an analgesic duration shorter than the DX treatment (240 minutes) in the regions of the tail, perineum, and upper hind limbs in mares. All treatments showed mild motor blockade. No behavioral changes were observed in any of the animals. There was hemodynamic stability without significant changes in respiratory rate for all treatments. Epidural analgesia using DEX alone or the combination of DEX and bupivacaine may be an option for painful obstetric and gynecological procedures in mares.

The efficacy of topical insulin application on rat model with burn wounds treated with adipose-derived stem cells.

Overall, major burn wounds may require special care and long-term hospitalization as they not only bring complications from the wound itself, but may also compromise the immune system, or even other organs. Previous studies have indicated that topical insulin cream shortened wound closure time in second-degree burns in rats. Transplanted adipose-derived stem cells (AD-MSCs) have been developed as an alternative to treat burns and to accelerate the healing process. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of topical insulin gel, associated with AD-MSCs intradermal administration to heal second-degree burn wounds in rat models who were subjected to second-degree dorsal burns. The models were divided into four groups (n = 10 per group): placebo gel (C), topical insulin gel (TI), topical insulin gel and adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (TIMSCs) and placebo gel and adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (CMSCs). Wounds were assessed on a daily basis and histological evaluations were made on 5 animals from each group on the seventh and fourteenth day. There was a significant macroscopic decrease in burn wound areas in the Control (P = 0.0083), TIMSCs and CMSCs (P = 0.042) groups between the seventh and fourteenth days. The TI treatment did not show any significant change (P > 0.05) throughout this same period. The histological analysis showed significant granulation tissue formation in CMSCs and TIMSCs (P = 0.02235) treatments during the experimental period. According to the results, intradermal administration of allogenic AD-MSCs in experimental second-degree burns for short periods of time in the rat model has contributed to reducing the inflammatory phase duration, improving wound re-epithelialization, tissue granulation and wound contraction, as well as increasing collagen deposition.

Meperidine prolongs lidocaine caudal epidural anaesthesia in the horse.

The aim of the study was to evaluate and compare the effects of caudal epidural administration of meperidine (MP), lidocaine (LD), and a combination of the two (MPLD) in six mature saddle horses. Horses were randomly assigned to receive three treatments (MP 0.3 mg/kg; LD 0.2 mg/kg; and MPLD: MP 0.3 mg/kg and LD 0.2 mg/kg), with at least 1 week between treatments. Drugs were injected into the epidural space between the first and second coccygeal areas in conscious standing horses. Analgesia, ataxia, sedation, cardiovascular and respiratory effects, and rectal temperature were recorded at different intervals before (baseline) and after administration. Epidural administration of MPLD resulted in a longer duration of analgesia of the tail, perineum, and upper hind limb regions than did administration of MP or LD alone.

Subarachnoid butorphanol augments lidocaine sensory anaesthesia in calves.

To determine the efficacy and safety of subarachnoid butorphanol combined with lidocaine, six calves were studied. Each calf underwent two treatments, at least one week apart, via subarachnoid injection: (1) butorphanol (0.03 mg/kg) plus 2% lidocaine (4 mg/kg) and (2) 2% lidocaine (4 mg/kg) alone. Subarachnoid injections were performed at the lumbosacral space. Analgesia, motor block, sedation, heart rate, arterial blood pressure, respiratory rate, arterial oxygen saturation as measured by pulse oximetry, and rectal temperature were compared before and after subarachnoid administration of drugs. Subarachnoid administration of the butorphanol-lidocaine combination induced bilateral prolonged analgesia extending from the coccygeal to the T11-T13 dermatomes in the calves, with minimal sedation and severe ataxia. Cardiovascular effects were significant in both treatments: heart rate was increased, and there was a minimal decrease in arterial pressure. It was concluded that adding a small dose of butorphanol to subarachnoid lidocaine in calves is effective and safe.

Postoperative pain control in cats: clinical trials with pre-emptive lidocaine epidural co-administered with morphine or methadone.

Objectives The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of epidural lidocaine in combination with either methadone or morphine for postoperative analgesia in cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy. Methods Under general anesthesia, 24 cats that underwent ovariohysterectomy were randomly allocated into three treatment groups of eight each. Treatment 1 included 2% lidocaine (4.0 mg/kg); treatment 2 included lidocaine and methadone (4.0 mg/kg and 0.3 mg/kg, respectively); and treatment 3 included lidocaine and morphine (4.0 mg/kg and 0.1 mg/kg, respectively). All drugs were injected in a total volume of 0.25 ml/kg via the lumbosacral route in all cats. During the anesthetic and surgical periods, the physiologic variables (respiratory and heart rate, arterial blood pressure and rectal temperature) were measured at intervals of time zero, 10 mins, 20 mins, 30 mins, 60 mins and 120 mins. After cats had recovered from anesthesia, a multidimensional composite pain scale was used to assess postoperative analgesia 2, 4, 8, 12, 18 and 24 h after epidural. Results The time to first rescue analgesic was significantly ( P <0.05) prolonged in cats that received both lidocaine and methadone or lidocaine and morphine treatments compared with those that received lidocaine treatment alone. All cats that received lidocaine treatment alone required rescue analgesic within 2 h of epidural injections. All treatments produced significant cardiovascular and respiratory changes but they were within an acceptable range for healthy animals during the surgical period. Conclusions and relevance The two combinations administered via epidural allowed ovariohysterectomy with sufficient analgesia in cats, and both induced prolonged postoperative analgesia.

Efficacy of caudal epidural injection of lidocaine, xylazine and xylazine plus hyaluronidase in reducing discomfort produced by electroejaculation in bulls.

To test the hypothesis that epidural administration of lidocaine, xylazine or xylazine plus hyaluronidase provides reduced pain and stress during electroejaculation in bulls, eight 30-month-old Nellore bulls received saline solution (control), 2% lidocaine, 2% xylazine or 2% xylazine plus hyaluronidase injected into the first intercoccygeal (Co1-Co2) epidural space in randomized order. Heart rate, respiratory rate, mean arterial pressure, analgesia, animal behavior and motor blockade were evaluated before treatment and at predetermined intervals during and after treatment. Pain and stress were scored subjectively, and semen quality was evaluated. The onset of anesthetic action was significantly faster with lidocaine (3.0 ± 1.2 min) than with xylazine or xylazine plus hyaluronidase (8.9 ± 1.5 and 5.5 ± 2.6 min, P=0.021 and P=0.012, respectively), and the onset of anesthesia with xylazine plus hyaluronidase was significantly faster than that with xylazine alone (P=0.032). Treatment with xylazine or xylazine plus hyaluronidase resulted in less discomfort than treatment with lidocaine, as indicated by animal behavior. Changes in heart rate, respiratory rate and arterial pressure were within acceptable limits. Penile protrusion and semen emission occurred in all animals during all four treatments. Our results suggest that xylazine plus hyaluronidase reduced discomfort during electroejaculation more effectively than xylazine or lidocaine alone. Further experiments are necessary to determine whether electroejaculation with xylazine plus hyaluronidase is feasible for obtaining semen from Nellore bulls unaccustomed to being handled or restrained.

Potentiation of epidural lidocaine by co-administering tramadol by either intramuscular or epidural route in cats.

This study investigated the analgesic and systemic effects of intramuscular (IM) versus epidural (EP) administration of tramadol as an adjunct to EP injection of lidocaine in cats. Six healthy, domestic, shorthair female cats underwent general anesthesia. A prospective, randomized, crossover trial was then conducted with each cat receiving the following 3 treatments: EP injection of 2% lidocaine [LEP; 3.0 mg/kg body weight (BW)]; EP injection of a combination of lidocaine and 5% tramadol (LTEP; 3.0 and 2.0 mg/kg BW, respectively); or EP injection of lidocaine and IM injection of tramadol (LEPTIM; 3.0 and 2.0 mg/kg BW, respectively). Systemic effects, spread and duration of analgesia, behavior, and motor blockade were determined before treatment and at predetermined intervals afterwards. The duration of analgesia was 120 ± 31 min for LTEP, 71 ± 17 min for LEPTIM, and 53 ± 6 min for LEP (P < 0.05; mean ± SD). The cranial spread of analgesia obtained with LTEP was similar to that with LEP or LEPTIM, extending to dermatomic region T13-L1. Complete motor blockade was similar for the 3 treatments. It was concluded that tramadol produces similar side effects in cats after either EP or IM administration. Our findings indicate that EP and IM tramadol (2 mg/kg BW) with EP lidocaine produce satisfactory analgesia in cats. As an adjunct to lidocaine, EP tramadol provides a longer duration of analgesia than IM administration. The adverse effects produced by EP and IM administration of tramadol were not different. Further studies are needed to determine whether EP administration of tramadol could play a role in managing postoperative pain in cats when co-administered with lidocaine after painful surgical procedures.

La présente étude visait à déterminer les effets analgésiques et systémiques de l'administration intramusculaire (IM) ou épidurale (EP) de tramadol comme un ajout à l'injection EP de lidocaïne chez des chats. Six chattes domestiques à poils courts ont été soumises à une anesthésie générale. Une étude prospective croisée aléatoire a été menée, chaque chat recevant les trois traitements suivants : injection EP de lidocaïne 2 % [LEP; 3,0 mg/kg poids corporels (PC)]; injection EP d'une combinaison de lidocaïne et de tramadol 5 % (LTEP; 3,0 et 2,0 mg/kg PC, respectivement); ou injection EP de lidocaïne et injection IM de tramadol (LEPTIM; 3,0 et 2,0 mg/kg PC, respectivement). Les effets systémiques, l'étendue et la durée de l'analgésie, le comportement, et le blocage moteur furent déterminés avant le traitement et à des intervalles prédéterminés par la suite. La durée de l'analgésie était de 120 ± 31 min pour LTEP, 71 ± 17 min pour LEPTIM, et 53 ± 6 min pour LEP (P < 0,05; moyenne ± écart-type). L'étendue crâniale de l'analgésie obtenue avec LTEP était similaire à celle avec LEP ou LEPTIM, s'étendant jusqu'au dermatome T13-L1. Le blocage moteur complet était similaire pour les trois traitements. Il a été conclu que chez le chat le tramadol produit des effets secondaires similaires qu'il soit administré par voie EP ou IM. Nos résultats indiquent que du tramadol (2 mg/kg PC) donné EP et IM avec de la lidocaïne EP induit une analgésie satisfaisante chez les chats. Comme supplément à la lidocaïne, le tramadol administré EP fourni une durée prolongée de l'analgésie que lorsqu'administré IM. Les effets indésirables produits par l'administration EP et IM de tramadol n'étaient pas différents. Des études supplémentaires sont nécessaires afin de déterminer si l'administration EP de tramadol pourrait jouer un rôle dans la gestion de la douleur post-opératoire chez les chats lorsqu'administré conjointement avec de la lidocaïne suite à une procédure chirurgicale douloureuse.(Traduit par Docteur Serge Messier).

Analgesic and systemic effects of ketamine, xylazine, and lidocaine after subarachnoid administration in goats.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of ketamine hydrochloride, xylazine hydrochloride, and lidocaine hydrochloride after subarachnoid administration in goats. ANIMALS: 6 healthy goats. PROCEDURE: In each goat, ketamine (3 mg/kg), xylazine (0.1 mg/kg), lidocaine (2.5 mg/kg), and saline (0.9% NaCI) solution were injected into the subarachnoid space between the last lumbar vertebra and first sacral vertebra (time 0). Analgesic, ataxic, sedative, cardiovascular, and respiratory effects and rectal temperature were evaluated before (baseline) and 2, 5, 10, 15, and 30 minutes after administration and at 30-minute intervals thereafter as needed. RESULTS: Administration of anesthetics induced varying degrees of analgesia. Onset of the analgesic effect was more delayed for xylazine (mean +/- SD, 9.5 +/- 2.6 minutes) than for ketamine (6.7 +/- 2.6 minutes) or lidocaine (3.5 +/- 1.2 minutes). Duration of analgesia induced by xylazine (88.3 +/- 15 minutes) was twice as long as the duration of analgesia induced by ketamine (48.8 +/- 13.5 minutes) but similar to that induced by lidocaine (66.5 +/- 31 minutes). Xylazine induced bradycardia, whereas ketamine caused a nonsignificant increase in heart rate. Xylazine induced a reduction in arterial pressure, whereas ketamine or lidocaine did not affect arterial pressure. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Subarachnoid administration of xylazine in goats resulted in longer duration of analgesia of the tail, perineum, hind limbs, flanks, and caudodorsal rib areas than administration of ketamine or lidocaine. However, xylazine caused bradycardia and respiratory depression. Additional studies are needed to determine whether the analgesia would be sufficient to allow clinicians to perform surgical procedures.

Perineal analgesia and hemodynamic effects of the epidural administration of meperidine or hyperbaric bupivacaine in conscious horses.

Epidural administration of bupivacaine and meperidine produces analgesia in several animal species and in humans. A prospective randomized study was conducted in 18 healthy horses to compare the effect of these 2 drugs administered by the epidural route. Animals were divided into 3 treatment groups of 6 animals each. All drugs were injected by the epidural route in all animals between the 1st and 2nd coccygeal vertebrae. Treatment 1 (BUP)--0.06 mg/kg of body weight of 0.5% hyperbaric bupivacaine; treatment 2 (MEP)--0.6 mg/kg of body weight of 5% meperidine; treatment 3 (SS)--0.9% saline solution (control group). Heart rate, arterial pressure, respiratory rate, rectal temperature, analgesia, sedation, and motor-blocking were determined before drug administration (baseline values); at 5, 10, 15, and 30 minutes after drug administration, and then at 30-minute intervals thereafter. Both hyperbaric bupivacaine and meperidine administered epidurally produced complete bilateral perineal analgesia in all horses. The onset of analgesia was 6, s = 2.6 minutes after injection of bupivacaine, as opposed to 9, s = 2 minutes after meperidine. The duration of analgesia was 240, s = 57 minutes for meperidine and 320, s = 30 minutes for bupivacaine. Heart and respiratory rates, arterial pressure, and rectal temperature did not change (P < 0.05) significantly from basal values after the epidural administration of bupivacaine, meperidine, or saline solution. To conclude, both bupivacaine and meperidine induced long-lasting perineal analgesia, with minimal cardiovascular effects. Analgesia was induced faster and lasted longer with bupivacaine.

Effects of epidural nalbuphine on intraoperative isoflurane and postoperative analgesic requirements in dogs.

PURPOSE: To measure the change in the minimum alveolar concentration of isoflurane (EtISO) associated with epidural nalbuphine and the postoperative analgesic requirements in dogs after ovariohysterectomy. METHODS: Twenty four healthy female dogs were randomly assigned to receive saline or nalbuphine at 0.3 or 0.6 mg/kg (n=8 for each group) administered via lumbosacral epidural catheter introduced cranially into the epidural canal. Changes in heart and respiratory rates and arterial blood pressure during surgery were recorded along with the corresponding EtISO. Immediately after tracheal extubation, analgesia, sedation, heart rate, respiratory rate, and arterial blood pressure were measured at predetermined intervals and every 60 min thereafter until the first rescue analgesic. RESULTS: A significant decrease in EtISO was associated with epidural nalbuphine at 0.3 mg/kg (26.3%) and 0.6 mg/kg (38.4%) but not with saline in ovariohysterectomized dogs. In the postoperative period, VAS and Colorado analgesic scores were lower for the dogs that received the higher nalbuphine dose, which only required supplemental analgesia 10 h following its administration, compared with dogs that received the lower dose. CONCLUSION: Epidural nalbuphine significantly reduces the intra-operative isoflurane requirement and provides prolonged postoperative analgesia after ovariohysterectomy in dogs.

Efficacy of concurrent epidural administration of neostigmine and lidocaine for perineal analgesia in geldings.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate perineal analgesic effects of 3 doses of neostigmine coadministered epidurally with lidocaine to geldings. ANIMALS: 6 healthy geldings. PROCEDURES: A few days before each treatment, a catheter was inserted between the first and second coccygeal vertebrae via the caudal approach in each gelding; the catheter tip was threaded approximately 10 cm cranial into the midsacral region. Each horse received 4 epidural treatments: 2% lidocaine (0.2 mg/kg) alone and 3 doses of neostigmine (0.5, 1, or 2 µg/kg) coadministered with that same dose of lidocaine. Horses were restrained in stocks in a standing position. Heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, rectal temperature, intestinal motility, analgesia, behavior, and ataxia were determined before treatment (time 0; baseline); at 5, 10, 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, and 90 minutes; and every 30 minutes thereafter until the cessation of analgesia. RESULTS: All doses of neostigmine coadministered with lidocaine improved and extended the duration of analgesia in the perineal region of the geldings. Total duration of analgesia was not a dose-dependent effect (120, 150, and 150 minutes for 0.5, 1, and 2 µg/kg, respectively). All treatments induced mild or moderate ataxia. Cardiovascular changes were within acceptable limits. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Administration of neostigmine (1 µg/kg) combined with lidocaine (0.2 mg/kg) in the caudal epidural space induced analgesia for 2.5 hours with a low prevalence of adverse effects in standing conscious geldings. Epidural doses of neostigmine greater than these should be avoided because they may cause undesirable effects in geldings.

Scanning electron microscopy and microbiological evaluation of equine burn wound repair after platelet-rich plasma gel treatment.

Deep second-degree burns (DSDb) involve all epidermis layers, including the basal laminae. In general, DSDb heals with extensive areas of scarring. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a source of growth factors, obtained by centrifugation and addition of thrombin and calcium, resulting in a gel. The objective of this study was to monitor the healing of DSDb by sequential biopsies after PRP treatment and evaluating by a scanning electron microscopy. Also, characterize bacterial profile and PRP antibacterial effect in horses' burns. Four horses were placed into two groups, G1 and G2, with the groups receiving 1 and 2 treatments of PRP, respectively. Control groups (Gc1 and Gc2) were treated with saline solution. DSDb were made by infliction of hot iron after epidermis dissection. Biopsies were performed 5, 15, 25 and 40 days after PRP treatment, and swab collections were performed 30 days after PRP treatment. At d25, G1 showed a higher amount of fibrils compared with Gc1, and the organization of G2 was similar to that of uninjured tissue. At d40, G1 resembled intact tissue and G2 showed dense tissue. All groups had bacterial contamination but no infection. PRP accelerated repair, induced fibroses and probably provided antibacterial activity in horses with DSDb.

The efficacy and safety of levobupivacaine administered by lumbosacral epidural route in conscious sheep.

The aim of this study was to evaluate 3 doses of levobupivacaine (LB) epidurally administered in sheep. Six adult male 24-36 month-old sheep received levobupivacaine at 3 doses, LB05 (0.05 mg/kg), LB15 (0.15 mg/kg), and LB25 (0.25mg/kg), and saline solution into the lumbosacral epidural space. Heart rate, arterial blood pressure (systolic, diastolic, and mean), respiratory rate, rectal, and skin temperature, local anesthesia, and ataxia were determined before treatment and at predetermined intervals. The duration of local anesthesia was 30±5 min, 145±27 min, and 290±18 min for LB05, LB15, and LB25, respectively (P<0.05). Ataxia determined for LB05, LB15, or LB25 was similar to the anesthetic times. There was an increase in heart rate and reduction in arterial pressure in LB25 (P<0.05), whereas LB05 or LB15 did not affect these parameters. Lumbosacral epidural levobupivacaine is an appropriate choice for local anesthesia in sheep.

Lumbosacral epidural magnesium prolongs ketamine analgesia in conscious sheep.

PURPOSE: To determine the analgesic, motor, sedation and systemic effects of lumbosacral epidural magnesium sulphate added to ketamine in the sheep. METHODS: Six healthy adult male mixed-breed sheep; weighing 43 ± 5 kg and aged 20-36 months. Each sheep underwent three treatments, at least 2 weeks apart, via epidural injection: (1) ketamine (KE; 2.5 mg/kg), (2) magnesium sulphate (MG; 100 mg), and (3) KE + MG (KEMG; 2.5 mg/kg + 100 mg, respectively). Epidural injections were administered through the lumbosacral space. Analgesia, motor block, sedation, cardiovascular effects, respiratory rate, skin temperature, and rectal temperature were evaluated before (baseline) and after drug administration as needed. RESULTS: The duration of analgesia with the lumbosacral epidural KEMG combination was 115 ± 17 min (mean ± SD), that is, more than twice that obtained with KE (41 ± 7 min) or MG (29 ± 5 min) alone. KE and KEMG used in this experiment induced severe ataxia. The heart rate and arterial blood pressures changes were no statistical difference in these clinically health sheep. CONCLUSION: The dose of magnesium sulphate to lumbosacral epidural ketamine in sheep is feasible, and can be used in procedures analgesics in sheep.

Evaluation of thoracic epidural analgesia induced by lidocaine, ketamine, or both administered via a lumbosacral approach in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the analgesic and systemic effects of thoracic epidural administration of ketamine, lidocaine, or both in conscious dogs. ANIMALS: 6 adult mixed-breed dogs. PROCEDURES: Each dog received 2% lidocaine hydrochloride without epinephrine (3.8 mg/kg), 5% ketamine hydrochloride (3.0 mg/kg), or both in randomized order with ≥ 1 week between treatments. Drugs were administered in a total volume of 0.25 mL/kg through a thoracic epidural catheter implanted via the lumbosacral approach. Heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, rectal temperature, analgesia, sedation, and ataxia were determined before treatment (baseline [time 0]) and at 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 90, 120, 150, and 180 minutes after administration. RESULTS: The main areas of analgesia for the 3 treatments were the thorax and forelimbs bilaterally. Median duration of analgesia was shorter after administration of ketamine (30 minutes) than after administration of lidocaine (40 minutes) and lidocaine plus ketamine (90 minutes). All treatments caused moderate motor blockade, and only the ketamine and lidocaine plus ketamine treatments caused mild sedation. Significant decreases in systolic and mean arterial blood pressure were observed only with the lidocaine plus ketamine treatment. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Thoracic epidural administration of lidocaine plus ketamine resulted in longer duration of analgesia of the thorax and forelimbs bilaterally in conscious dogs, compared with administration of ketamine or lidocaine alone. Additional studies are needed to determine whether this technique adequately relieves postoperative pain after thoracic surgical procedures and whether it causes respiratory depression in dogs.

Evaluation of two regional anesthetic methods on the front limb of dogs using hyperbaric bupivacaine.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of bupivacaine 0.5 and 0.25% in intravenous regional anesthesia (IVRA) and brachial plexus block (BPB), respectively, on anesthesia, motor block and cardiovascular parameters in dogs. METHODS: Fourteen healthy adult dogs averaging 10 kilograms (kg) of body weight. Animals were randomly assigned to receive one of the two treatments IVRA (n=7) or BPB (n=7). All the animals were sedated with acepromazine (0.1 mg/kg intramuscular). To execute the BPB was used an electrical nerve stimulation. Anesthesia, motor block, sedation, cardiovascular and respiratory effects were measured as effect of the treatment. RESULTS: BPA showed superior efficiency and duration of anesthesia (BPB - 456 +/- 94 minutes vs IVRA - 138 +/- 44) as well as motor block. There only physiologic parameter which change were the systolic pressure in BPB and respiratory rate for both treatments. CONCLUSION: In dogs the 0.25 % hyperbaric bupivacaine in BPB produces a front limb anesthesia about three times more than the 0.5 % in IVRA, with ptosis of the limb blocked and little interference in the cardiovascular system but with decrease in respiratory rate.