Comparison of epidural and systemic tramadol for analgesia following ovariohysterectomy.

The objective of the study was to compare epidural and systemic tramadol for postoperative analgesia in bitches undergoing ovariohysterectomy. Twenty animals, randomly divided into two groups, received either epidural (EPI) or intramuscular (IM) tramadol (2 mg/kg) 30 min before anesthetic induction. Analgesia, sedation, cardiorespiratory parameters, end-tidal isoflurane, blood catecholamines and cortisol, and arterial blood gases were measured at different time points up to 24 hr after agent administration. There were no differences between the two groups regarding cardiorespiratory parameters, end-tidal isoflurane, and pain scores. Two dogs in the IM and one in the EPI group required supplemental analgesia. Cortisol was increased (P<0.05) at 120 min (3.59 µg/dL and 3.27 µg/dL in the IM and EPI groups, respectively) and 240 min (2.45 µg/dL and 2.54 µg/dL in the IM and EPI groups, respectively) compared to baseline. Norepinephrine was also increased (P<0.05) at 120 min in both groups compared to baseline values. Epinephrine values were higher (P<0.05) in the IM group compared with the EPI group at 50 min, 120 min, and 1,440 min after tramadol administration. Epidural tramadol is a safe analgesic, but does not appear to have improved analgesic effects compared with IM administration.

The use of different doses of metamizol for post-operative analgesia in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the post-operative analgesic effect of metamizol (dipyrone) administered intravenously at three different doses (15 mg kg(-1), 25 mg kg(-1) and 35 mg kg(-1)) compared to placebo in dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, comparative, randomized, blinded trial. ANIMALS: Forty healthy bitches, aged 1-6 years, weighing 10-35 kg METHODS: The animals were randomly divided into four groups and received their respective treatments immediately after surgery: placebo group (0.9% saline solution), D15 group (metamizol 15 mg kg(-1) IV), D25 group (metamizol 25 mg kg(-1) IV), D35 group (metamizol 35 mg kg(-1) IV). The following variables were measured: sedation, pulse rate (PR), respiratory rate (f(R)), arterial blood pressure (ABP), plasma catecholamines, serum cortisol, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine metabolites, albumin, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), hemogram, platelet counts and level of analgesia which was assessed by visual analog (VAS), descriptive and behavioral scales. Patients were monitored for 48 hours after the administration of the analgesic agent. Rescue analgesia (tramadol, 2 mg kg(-1), intramuscularly) was provided for animals with pain scores ≥4, as determined by the VAS or descriptive scale. RESULTS: The D25 and D35 groups showed equivalent post-operative analgesia, as shown by decreased pain scores, according to the three different pain scales, and fewer animals that required rescue analgesia. Significantly lower serum cortisol concentrations were observed in the D25 and D35 groups when compared to the placebo and D15 groups. No hematologic, renal, hepatic or clinical adverse effects were observed during the treatment. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Metamizol administered intravenously at 25 or 35 mg kg(-1) can provide adequate post-operative analgesia in bitches undergoing ovariohysterectomy.

Epidural anesthesia with bupivacaine, bupivacaine and fentanyl, or bupivacaine and sufentanil during intravenous administration of propofol for ovariohysterectomy in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To compare cardiovascular and systemic effects and analgesia during the postoperative period of epidural anesthesia performed with bupivacaine alone or with fentanyl or sufentanil in bitches maintained at a light plane of anesthesia with continuous infusion of propofol. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective randomized masked clinical trial. ANIMALS: 30 female dogs of various breeds. PROCEDURES: Dogs were allocated into 3 groups of 10 each. One group received fentanyl (2 microg/kg [0.91 microg/lb]) and bupivacaine (1 mg/kg [0.45 mg/lb]), 1 group received sufentanil (1 microg/kg) and bupivacaine (1 mg/kg), and 1 group received bupivacaine (1 mg/kg). All dogs received acepromazine (0.1 mg/kg [0.045 mg/lb]) and continuous infusion of propofol for sedation. The agents were administered into the lumbosacral space and diluted in saline (0.9% NaCl) solution to a total volume of 0.36 mL/kg (0.164 mL/lb). Cardiac and respiratory rates, arterial blood pressures, pH, and blood gases were evaluated. Analgesia, sedation level, serum cortisol concentrations, and plasma catecholamine concentrations were measured regularly for 6 hours. RESULTS: No important changes in cardiovascular, respiratory, or sedation variables were observed. Degree of analgesia in the postoperative period was higher in the sufentanil group, although use of fentanyl and bupivacaine also resulted in a sufficient level of analgesia. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Use of the 3 anesthetic techniques permitted ovariohysterectomy with sufficient analgesia and acceptable neuroendocrine modulation of pain with minimal adverse effects.

A comparison of preoperative tramadol and morphine for the control of early postoperative pain in canine ovariohysterectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To compare morphine with tramadol for the management of early postoperative pain following ovariohysterectomy after pyometra in dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective randomized blinded clinical trial. ANIMALS: Thirty female dogs, 2-14 years old. METHODS: Animals were randomly divided into two equal groups. Group 1 received 0.2 mg kg-1 of morphine IV and group 2 received 2 mg kg-1 of tramadol IV after the induction of anesthesia. The dogs were premedicated with acepromazine, and anesthesia was induced with intravenous midazolam and ketamine. Isoflurane was used for the maintenance of anesthesia. The variables measured were: analgesia; sedation; cardiac and respiratory rates; arterial blood pressure; end-tidal isoflurane and carbon dioxide (Pe'CO2); oxyhemoglobin saturation (SpO2); plasma catecholamines; serum cortisol and glucose concentrations; pH and blood gases. The animals were monitored for 6 hours after the administration of the analgesic agent. RESULTS: There were no differences between the two groups with regard to analgesia, sedation, SpO2, pH and blood gases, cardiovascular variables, glucose, catecholamine and cortisol concentrations. Forty minutes postopioid administration, the end-tidal isoflurane concentration was significantly lower in the morphine-treated group as compared to the tramadol group. At 30 minutes following opioid injection, Pe'CO2 was significantly higher in the morphine group than in the tramadol group. Two dogs in the tramadol group and one in the morphine group were given morphine postoperatively because of increasing pain scores. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Morphine and tramadol, administered preemptively can be used safely in dogs to control early pain after ovariohysterectomy without significant adverse effects.

Emprego da ventilaçäo mecânica com pressäo controlada em circuito circular de anestesia para pacientes de baixo peso: extudo experimetal / Controlled pressure mechanical ventilation with anesthesia closed system for low weight patients: experimental study

Justificativa e Objetivos: A anestesia com baixo fluxo, em pacientes pediátricos, requer equipamentos adequados, no entanto, os disponíveis no mercado säo de alto custo, o que limita o seu uso. Este estudo avaliou a anestesia com baixo fluxo em coelhos, empregando circuito fechado, modo de pressäo controlada em novo ventilador pediátrico para anestesia (VPL-5000A-Vent-Logos). Método: Dez coelhos foram distribuídos aleatoriamente, sendo que o grupo I foi submetido à de 15 cmH2O e o grupo II à de 20 cmH2O. A anestesia foi realizada com xilazina (10 mg.Kg-û) e cetamina (25 mg.Kg-û associados, por via muscular, seguida da manutençäo com isoflurano, após intubaçäo orotraqueal. Após 20 minutos, administrou-se pancurônio (0,1 mg.Kg-û) por via venosa e a ventilaçäo controlada foi iniciada. Os parâmetros ajustados no ventilador foram: FR30 mpm, freqüência I:E 1:2, 5 e tempo de inspiraçäo 0,6 segundo, além das pressöes de plateau. O fluxo de gases frescos empregado foi 300 ml (total). Os parâmentros foram coletados a cada 20 minutos durante uma hora. Os dados obtidos foram submetidos à analise estatística de variância para medidas repetidas (p<0,05). Resultados: O CO2 reinalado diminuiu significativamente no grupo II, de 15 mmHg, durante a ventilaçäo espontânea, para um valor médio de 2,4 mmHg, durante a ventilaçäo espontânea, para um valor médio de 2,4 mmHg, durante a ventilaçäo controlada. No grupo I, diminuiu 19,2 mmHg (inicial) para 3,6 mmHg. Comparando-se os dois grupos, diferenças significativas foram encontradas em relaçäo ao ph venoso, PaCO2, PVO2 e discreta diferença entre a PAM e PAD. O grupo de 15 cmH2O apresentou importante acidose respiratória, enquanto o de 20 cmH2O obteve valores normais de ph e PaCO2. Uma vez que os valores de volume expirado entre os grupos foram semelhantes, tais diferenças entre ph e gases sangüíneos apresentados pelos grupos podem estar relacionadas aos baixos níveis de pH observados no grupo I. Verificou-se consumo médio de 2 ml de isoflurano por animal durante os 120 minutos de estudo

Arthroscopic study of the dog's knee joint with clinical cranial cruciate ligament injury

The objective of the present study was to report intra articular changes observed by means of arthroscopic in dogs bearing cranial cruciate ligament injuries. Sixty-three dogs (sixty- five knee joints) with naturally occurring cranial cruciate injury were used. The arthroscopy was carried out before the ligament repair and the observed changes were both recorded and reported. According to the results obtained from this research it is significant to mention the presence of plicae on suprapatelar joint pouch; roughness, neovascularization and osteophytes in patella. The lateral meniscus presented axial fringe tear, fibrillation, neovascularization and complete laceration. The medial meniscus showed bucket handle tear, complete laceration, axial fringe tear, fibrillation, neovascularization and mineralization. The cranial cruciate ligament was completely ruptured, partially ruptured, interstitially ruptured and linked to the structures of the intercondylar notch. The caudal cruciate ligament showed vertical splits, besides fibrillation and partial rupture. Arthroscopy has been used for diagnostic of cranial cruciate ligament injuries in dogs. It permits improved diagnostic capability when evaluating cartilage and sinovial changes, meniscus and ligaments tears.

O objetivo do presente estudo foi relatar as alterações intra-articulares observadas através de artroscopia em cães portadores de injuria do ligamento cruzado cranial. Foram utilizados sessenta e três cães (sessenta e cinco articulações) com a afecção. A artroscopia foi realizada anteriormente a reparação do ligamento e as alterações observadas foram relatadas e fotografadas. De acordo com os resultados obtidos nesta pesquisa é significativo mencionar a presença de plicas na bolsa articular suprapatelar, irregularidade, neovascularização e osteofitos na patela. O menisco lateral apresentou ruptura em franja, fibrilação, neovascularização e completa laceração. O menisco medial mostrou lesão em alça de balde, laceração completa, ruptura em franja, fibrilação, neovascularização e mineralização. O ligamento cruzado cranial estava completamente rompido, parcialmente rompido, com ruptura intersticial ou aderido a estruturas do sulco intercondilar. O ligamento cruzado caudal mostrou fendas verticais, alem de fibrilação e ruptura parcial. Artroscopia tem sido utilizada para o diagnostico de injuria do ligamento cruzado cranial em cães. Ela permite uma maior capacidade diagnóstica quando avaliamos alterações de cartilagem e sinóvia, ruptura de menisco e ligamento.

Gonadectomia em gatas impúberes. Técnica anestésica / Kittens gonadectomy. Anesthetic Technique

O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever e avaliar um protocolo anestésico em filhotes de gatas submetidas a gonadectomia. Foram estudadas 40 fêmeas, com 2 a 4 meses de idade, sem raça definida, encaminhadas para ovariohisterectomia. O protocolo anestésico empregado consistiu de pré-medicação com acepromazina e meperidina e a indução e manutenção anestésicas realizadas com tiletamina-zolazepam. Foram avaliadas freqüências cardíaca e respiratória, saturação periférica da oxihemoglobina, temperatura corpórea, qualidade do relaxamento de coto uterino e pedículos ovarianos, tempo cirúrgico e de recuperação anestésica, bem como qualidade da recuperação anestésica e outros efeitos adversos. Houve redução da freqüência respiratória e manutenção da cardíaca no período trans-operatório. Apenas dois animais necessitaram de suplementação com oxigênio e a qualidade da recuperação foi satisfatoriamente tranqüila. O relaxamento dos pedículos ovarianos e coto uterino foi adequado e não foram observados demais efeitos adversos. Diante dos resultados obtidos pode-se concluir que a técnica anestésica empregada foi segura e efetiva nos animais estudados.

The aim of this study was to evaluate an anesthetic protocol in female kittens to perform gonadectomy. Forty female kittens with ages varying from 2 to 4 months old, mixed breed were used. They were premedicated with acepromazina plus meperidina and the induction and maintenance of anesthesia were performed with tiletamine-zolazepam. Variables measured were: cardiac and respiratory rates, oxyhemoglobin saturation, temperature, surgical relaxation, surgical and recovery times, recovery and undesirable effects. There was a reduction of respiratory rate after induction of anesthesia and cardiac rate remained stable during anesthesia period. Two animals needed oxygen therapy by facial mask and animals' recovery was smooth. The surgical relax was obtained in all animals and there were no other side effects. Based on these results it can be concluded that the anesthetic procedure was safe and effective to perform gonadectomy in female kittens.