Non-surgical external jugular vein catheterization using an ear vein access in piglets.

The objective of this study was to investigate the feasibility of external jugular vein catheterization through an ear vein in piglets. Forty-six sevoflurane-midazolam anaesthetized piglets were included. External jugular vein catheterization was conducted through the ear vein using the Seldinger technique. Part 1 (n = 27): optimal puncture site was based on the deltoid tuberosity as a landmark to reach the external jugular vein. The final position of the catheter was verified in 25 piglets using computer tomography. Catheterization time was recorded and patency of the catheter assessed by repeated blood sampling for up to 4 h. Part 2 (n = 19): ear vein catheterization was without taking into account any landmarks. Functionality for blood sampling was evaluated as described in part 1. Catheter advancement was possible in 25/27 and 18/19 piglets in parts 1 and 2, respectively. Median (range) time required for successful catheterization was 1.95 (1-10) min (n = 38). The deltoid tuberosity was a good landmark to reach the external jugular vein. But blood sampling was also possible through catheters ending slightly cranial to the external jugular vein. Despite successful catheter advancement, blood sampling was not possible from one catheter in each part of the study (total: two piglets). One of these catheters presented luminal damage, while the other one presented as normal after being removed from the animal. Summarizing, central vein catheterization through the ear vein was feasible in 93.5% and repeated blood sampling was possible in 89.1% of the piglets (n = 46).

[The importance of a veterinary anaesthetist and pain treatment according to dog and cat owners]. / Bedeutung einer Veterinäranästhesistin oder eines Veterinäranästhesisten und einer optimalen Schmerztherapie aus Sicht von Hunde- und Katzenbesitzerinnen und -besitzer.

INTRODUCTION: In Switzerland, compared to the United Kingdom or the United States of America, fewer veterinary anaesthetists are employed in private practice, which raises the question about the reason. The present survey aimed at investigating the awareness of pet owners concerning the specialization of veterinary anaesthesia and the value they attribute to such a specialist. Also, estimation of pain in dogs and cats and the importance of its treatment from the point of view of the pet owners was analysed. Furthermore, the necessity of veterinary anaesthetists in private practice and the influencing factors were investigated. The survey was created on LimeSurvey, an online tool for questionnaires and sent to dog and cat owners of the small animal clinic of the University Hospital of Zurich. 317 fully completed questionnaires were evaluated. In general, pet owners appreciated the specialization of veterinary anaesthesiology. Great importance was attributed to the supervision of anaesthesia and analgesic therapy by a specialist. A preliminary talk with an anaesthetist would be appreciated. Owners would be willing to cover additional costs for a specialized anaesthetist, if recommended by the private veterinarian, and to bring their animal to the University Hospital, in case of an increased anaesthetic risk.

INTRODUCTION: En Suisse, les vétérinaires anesthésistes sont moins nombreux à exercer en cabinet privé qu'au Royaume-Uni ou aux États-Unis. La question se pose dès lors de savoir pourquoi il en est ainsi. Une enquête a analysé les connaissances des propriétaires d'animaux de compagnie sur la spécialisation de l'anesthésiologie vétérinaire et l'importance qu'ils accordent à un spécialiste en la matière. L'importance de la thérapie analgésique chez les chiens ou les chats a également été évaluée. En outre, le besoin en vétérinaires anesthésistes en pratique privée et les facteurs qui l'influencent ont été examinés. L'enquête a utilisé l'outil de questionnaire Lime-Survey et a été envoyée aux propriétaires de chiens et de chats de la Clinique des petits animaux de l'Université de Zürich. 317 questionnaires complétés ont été évalués. Les propriétaires d'animaux apprécient la spécialisation en l'anesthésiologie vétérinaire. Le vétérinaire anesthésiste est considéré comme très important dans les mesures anes-thésiques et la thérapie analgésique. Une consultation anesthésique préalable est souhaitée. Les propriétaires seraient disposés à prendre en charge les coûts supplémentaires de ce service ou, sur recommandation du vétérinaire privé, à amener leur animal à la Clinique pour petits animaux de l'Université de Zürich en cas de risque anesthésique accru.

Effects of moderate and severe arterial hypotension on intracerebral perfusion and brain tissue oxygenation in piglets.

BACKGROUND: Hypotension is common in anaesthetised children, and its impact on cerebral oxygenation is unknown. The goal of the present study was to investigate the effects of moderate systemic arterial hypotension (mHT) and severe hypotension (sHT) on cerebral perfusion and brain tissue oxygenation in piglets. METHODS: Twenty-seven anaesthetised piglets were randomly allocated to a control group, mHT group, or sHT group. Cerebral monitoring comprised a tissue oxygen partial pressure ( [Formula: see text] ) and laser Doppler (LD) perfusion probe advanced into the brain tissue, and a near-infrared spectroscopy sensor placed over the skin measuring regional oxygen saturation (rSO2). Arterial hypotension was induced by blood withdrawal and i.v. nitroprusside infusion [target MAP: 35-38 (mHT) and 27-30 (sHT) mm Hg]. Data were analysed at baseline, and every 20 min during and after treatment. RESULTS: Compared with control, [Formula: see text] decreased equally with mHT and sHT [mean (SD) after 60 min: control: 17.1 (6.4); mHT: 6.4 (3.6); sHT: 7.2 (4.3) mm Hg]. No differences between groups were detected for rSO2 and LD during treatment. However, in the sHT group, rSO2 increased after restoring normotension [from 49.3 (9.5) to 58.9 (8.9)% Post60]. sHT was associated with an increase in blood lactate [from 1.5 (0.4) to 2.4 (0.9) mmol L-1], and a decrease in bicarbonate [28 (2.4) to 25.8 (2.6) mmol L-1] and base excess [4.7 (1.9) to 2.0 (2.7) mmol L-1] between baseline and 60 min after the start of the experiment. CONCLUSIONS: Induction of mHT and sHT by hypovolaemia and nitroprusside infusion caused alterations in brain tissue oxygenation in a piglet model, but without detectable changes in brain tissue perfusion and regional oxygen saturation.

Fentanyl bolus induces muscle tremors in sevoflurane-anaesthetized piglets.

Intravenous fentanyl (10 mcg/kg) or saline (control) was randomly administered to 10 healthy sevoflurane-mono-anaesthetized piglets. Trembling was assessed by two blinded observers using a visual analogue scale (VAS) and a simple ordinal scale at baseline and 5 min (T5) after drug administration. If no trembling was observed at that time point, the opposite treatment was administered and piglets were re-evaluated after another 5 min (T10). Four out of five piglets showed trembling after fentanyl (T5), while none given saline showed any trembling. With fentanyl the VAS scores were significantly higher at T5 compared either with baseline or with the control treatment. Control animals received fentanyl after the 5 min evaluation and all piglets showed clear trembling afterwards. The median time after fentanyl administration until first muscle tremors was 51 (20-840) s. In summary, nine out of 10 sevoflurane-anaesthetized piglets showed muscle tremors after intravenous fentanyl. Tremors subsided over time and no specific treatment was necessary.

Effects of 10% hydroxyethyl starch (HES 200/0.5) solution in intraoperative fluid therapy management of horses undergoing elective surgical procedures.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of pentastarch on colloid osmotic pressure (COP) and cardiopulmonary function during and up to 24 h after anaesthesia in horses. Twenty-five systemically healthy horses were anaesthetised using isoflurane-medetomidine balanced anaesthesia. Twelve were assigned to treatment with hydroxyethyl starch (HES) (H group) and 13 to no HES (NH group). In the H group, 6 mL/kg of pentastarch 10% HES (200/0.5) was infused over 1 h starting 30 min after induction of anaesthesia. Horses of the NH group received an equal amount of lactated Ringer's solution (LRS). COP and blood biochemical, cardiopulmonary and anaesthesia-related variables were measured at different time points before and after treatment. Pentastarch was effective in correcting the decrease in COP observed with LRS administration. No differences between treatments were detected for blood glucose, lactate, total proteins and electrolytes. Packed cell volume was lower with the H group immediately after finishing HES-administration and for an additional 30 min. In all horses, all blood biochemical variables other than lactate returned to normal after 12 h. No clinically relevant differences between treatments were detected for cardiopulmonary variables, although 23.1% of the NH-horses needed rescue-HES to maintain cardiovascular function, while none of the H-horses needed additional colloids. Overall, 6 mL/kg HES (200/0.5) was found to be effective in maintaining COP during anaesthesia in systemically healthy horses. Intermediate and long-term effects were below the limit of detection. The potentially beneficial effects on cardiovascular function need further investigation, especially in critically ill horses.

Incidence of delayed hair re-growth, pruritus, and urinary retention after epidural anaesthesia in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: Delayed hair re-growth, pruritus and urinary retention are known complications after epidural anaesthesia in dogs. The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate the effect of epidurally administered drugs on the occurrence of these complications in dogs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ninety dogs were included in this study. Eighty client-owned dogs undergoing surgery were randomly assigned to one of three epidural treatment groups: either morphine and bupivacaine (MB), bupivacaine (B), or saline solution 0.9% (S) was administered epidurally to these patients. Ten dogs were only clipped in the lumbosacral area (C). Follow-up started 4 weeks after clipping and was performed every 4-5 weeks in cases of delayed hair re-growth or pruritus. Hair re-growth in the lumbosacral area was observed and compared to hair re-growth in the surgical field and the fentanyl patch area. Cytological analysis and a trichogram were performed if hair re-growth was delayed after 6 months. Time interval to first urination postoperatively was recorded (n = 80). RESULTS: Hair re-growth was delayed in 11 dogs (12.2%; B: n = 7, S: n = 2, MB: n = 1, C: n = 1) with no differences between groups. Pruritus was evident in two dogs (2.2%; MB: n = 1, S: n = 1). After 6 months, hair had started to re-grow in all but one dog (B). After 10 months the coat of this dog had re-grown. Time to first urination did not differ between groups. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: No direct correlation between the particular drugs injected epidurally and delayed hair re-growth, pruritus and urinary retention could be shown. Dog owners should be informed that hair re-growth after epidural anaesthesia could be markedly delayed.

Racemic ketamine in comparison to S-ketamine in combination with azaperone and butorphanol for castration of pigs.

In this prospective blinded randomised study, 28 male 9 week old pigs of bodyweight 25 kg, were anaesthetised for castration using 5 mg/kg azaperone, 0.2 mg/kg butorphanol and 0.4 mg/kg meloxicam, in conjunction with either 15 mg/kg racemic ketamine (Keta-Race) or 9 mg/kg S-ketamine (S-Keta), all drugs being injected intramuscularly. Anaesthesia induction, maintenance and recovery were timed and scored. Insufficient anaesthesia was supplemented with » the initial dose of ketamine or S-ketamine, respectively, administered intravenously. A t-test was utilised for analysis of timings, and, for repeated recovery time data, ANOVA was used. In relation to quantification and timing of supplemental drug doses, a chi square test was used and the scoring was analysed by two sample Wilcoxon rank-sum test. Ketamine re-dosing was required in 23 animals on a total of 46 occasions distributed evenly throughout both groups. The only group differences occurred during recovery, with the S-Keta group showing earlier movements, sternal recumbency and ability to stand. Three pigs in each group showed muscle fasciculations during the recovery period, while an additional two animals of the Keta-Race group exhibited marked and unacceptable paddling in recovery. In conclusion, S-ketamine at a dose rate of 60 % of that of racemic ketamine induced comparable anaesthesia for castration in pigs, but with superior recovery characteristics.

Pour cette étude prospective, randomisée et en aveugle, on a castré 28 porcs mâles âgés de 9 semaines et d'un poids estimé de 25 kg en utilisant soit 15 mg/kg de kétamine racémique soit 9 mg/kg de S-kétamine, en combinaison avec 5mg/kg d'azaperon, 0.2 mg/kg de butorphanol et 0.4 mg/kg de meloxicam, administrés par voie intramusculaire. L'induction et l'anesthésie elle-même ainsi que la phase de réveil ont été estimées qualitativement et leurs durées mesurées. Si la profondeur de l'anesthésie était insuffisante, on a injecté par voie intraveineuse » de la dose initiale de kétamine. On a estimé les durées par T-test et ANOVA et la qualité de l'anesthésie par «two sample Wilcoxon rank-sum test¼. Chez 23 animaux, il a été nécessaire de rajouter 46 fois de la kétamine (de façon égale dans les deux groupes). Les seules différences entre les deux groupes ont été observées lors de la phase de réveil. Avec la S-kétamine, on observe plus rapidement des mouvements, une position sternale et un relevé. Trois animaux de chaque groupe ont présenté des fasciculations musculaires et deux, après application de kétamine racémique, des mouvements de pédalage importants durant la phase de réveil. En résumé, l'application de S-kétamine à un dosage correspondant à 60% de celui de la kétamine racémique produit une anesthésie similaire. Aucun des porcs anesthésies avec de la S-kétamine n'a montré une phase de réveil inacceptable.

Blood glucose, acid-base and electrolyte changes during loading doses of alpha2-adrenergic agonists followed by constant rate infusions in horses.

The aim of the present study was to investigate changes in blood glucose concentration ([Glu]B), acid-base status and electrolyte concentrations during constant rate infusions (CRI) of two alpha2-adrenergic agonists in seven horses treated in a blinded, randomised, crossover design with xylazine or romifidine. An intravenous (IV) bolus of xylazine (1mg/kg) or romifidine (80 µg/kg) was administered followed by an IV CRI of xylazine (0.69 mg/kg/h) or romifidine (30 µg/kg/h) for 2h. Blood samples were collected from the pulmonary artery before and after loading doses, during the CRI, and for 1h after discontinuing drugs. Blood glucose, base excess (BE), pH, partial pressure of carbon dioxide (Pv¯CO2), strong ion difference (SIDest) and bicarbonate concentration ( [Formula: see text] ) increased significantly during the CRI with both alpha2-adrenergic agonists. Chloride concentration ([Cl(-)]B) and anion-gap (AG) decreased significantly compared to baseline. The decrease in sodium concentration ([Na(+)]B) was only significant with xylazine. From 1h after starting the CRI onwards, [Glu]B was significantly higher with romifidine compared to xylazine. Except [Glu]B, SIDest, and Pv¯CO2, all variables returned to normal values 1h after discontinuing xylazine. After stopping romifidine, all variables except pH remained altered for at least 1h. It was concluded that loading doses of alpha2-adrenergic agonists followed by CRIs produce [Glu]B, acid-base and electrolyte changes. The clinical significance of the reported changes remains to be investigated and absolute values should be interpreted with caution, as fluid boli were used for cardiac output measurements, but may become important during prolonged infusion and in critically ill patients.

Treatment of chronic proximal suspensory desmitis in horses using focused electrohydraulic shockwave therapy.

The objective of the present clinical report was to investigate the short- and long-term outcomes of chronic proximal suspensory desmitis (PSD) treated with Extracorporeal Shockwave Treatment (ESWT). Fifty-two horses with chronic PSD in the forelimb (34 cases) or hindlimb (22 cases) were included in the study. Three horses had lesions in both hindlimbs and one in both forelimbs. The origin of the suspensory ligament was treated every three weeks for a total of three treatments using 2000 impulses applied by a focused ESWT device (Equitron) at an energy flux density of 0.15 mJ/ mm2. This treatment regime was followed by box rest and a controlled exercise program of 12 weeks duration. The horses were assessed 3, 6, 12, 24 weeks and one year after the first treatment. Of the 34 cases with forelimb PSD, 21 (61.8%) had returned to full work by six months after diagnosis and 19 cases (55.9%) were still in full work one year after ESWT. Of the 22 horses with hindlimb PSD, 9 (40.9%) had returned to full work by six months and 4 (18.2%) were still in full work one year after diagnosis. There was no association (chi-square test) between the outcome and the severity of the initial ultrasonographic and/or radiographic findings. Compared with the results of other clinical studies, these findings suggest that in horses with PSD of fore- and hindlimb, the prognosis for returning to full work six months after diagnosis can be improved when ESWT and a controlled exercise program are used. However, a high rate of recurrence occurred in the hindlimb despite treatment.