Ultrasonographical identification of the superficial circumflex iliac artery as a landmark for location of the femoral nerve in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the utility of identifying the superficial circumflex iliac artery (SCIA) via ultrasound as an anatomical landmark for ultrasound-guided femoral nerve block. STUDY DESIGN: Observational study. ANIMALS: A group of six canine cadavers weighing >20 kg. METHODS: Pelvic limbs from six canine cadavers were examined to study the relationship between the SCIA and the femoral nerve. Ultrasonographic imaging of the SCIA in each limb was obtained with the transducer placed transversely in the medial aspect of the pelvic limb at the inguinal area. Subsequently, a needle was inserted in close proximity to the femoral nerve using an in-plane technique based on the anatomical relationship between the SCIA and femoral nerve. A total of 0.1 mL of colored latex was then injected at the location where the femoral nerve was expected to be in relationship to the SCIA. Gross dissection of the inguinal region in each pelvic limb was performed after injection. Positive nerve location was defined when the colored latex was in contact with the femoral nerve. RESULTS: A total of eleven pelvic limbs were injected because the SCIA could not be successfully visualized in one limb. Upon dissection, colored latex was found to be in direct contact with the femoral nerve in all 11 injected limbs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: We concluded that the ultrasonographic visualization of the SCIA assisted in the accurate deposition of dye in proximity to the femoral nerve of canine cadavers. Further investigation will determine the efficacy of this technique for performing femoral nerve blocks.

Perceptions and opinions of pet owners in the United Sates about surgery, pain management, and anesthesia in dogs and cats.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate pet owners' perceptions and understanding of surgical pain, perioperative pain management, and anesthesia. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective owner survey. SAMPLE POPULATION: Eight veterinary hospitals each provided 200 surveys for distribution to pet owners. METHODS: A survey evaluated owners' perceptions and opinions related to surgical pain, perioperative pain management, anesthesia in dogs and cats, and owner demographics (sex, age, education, employment, previous surgical experience, and pet ownership) in 8 regions of the United States (Alaska, Florida, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Oregon, Ohio, Texas, Washington, DC). Effects of demographics on survey questions were analyzed by using a Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel test. Descriptive statistics and frequency distributions were calculated when applicable. RESULTS: 948/1600 (59.25%) of distributed questionnaires were completed. Owners reported that analgesics were "always needed" more often for surgical procedures than medical conditions. Knowing what to expect during recovery (99%), being informed of procedures and risks (98%), adequate pain management (98%), and having a board-certified anesthesiologist perform anesthesia (94%) were considered "important" or "very important" by owners. The majority of owners agreed that pain affects quality of life (81%), interactions with family and pets (73%), and that declawing is a painful procedure (59%). Older respondents (>46 years), women, owners who have had previous surgery or who have pets that have had previous surgery, and those in health care professions have a better understanding of pain but also expect effective client communication. CONCLUSION: Improving our understanding of pet owners' perceptions and knowledge related to anesthesia, surgery, and pain may lead to improved client education, satisfaction, and compliance with administration of analgesics.

Multispecies Epidemiologic Surveillance Study after an Outbreak of Yersiniosis at an African Green Monkey Research Facility.

After an outbreak of Yersinia enterocolitica at a NHP research facility, we performed a multispecies investigation of the prevalence of Yersinia spp. in various mammals that resided or foraged on the grounds of the facility, to better understand the epizootiology of yersiniosis. Blood samples and fecal and rectal swabs were obtained from 105 captive African green monkeys (AGM), 12 feral cats, 2 dogs, 20 mice, 12 rats, and 3 mongooses. Total DNA extracted from swab suspensions served as template for the detection of Y. enterocolitica DNA by real-time PCR. Neither Y. enterocolitica organisms nor their DNA were detected from any of these samples. However, Western blotting revealed the presence of Yersinia antibodies in plasma. The AGM samples revealed a seroprevalence of 91% for Yersinia spp. and of 61% for Y. enterocolitica specifically. The AGM that were housed in cages where at least one fatality occurred during the outbreak (clinical group) had similar seroprevalence to that of AGM housed in unaffected cages (nonclinical group). However, the nonclinical group was older than the clinical group. In addition, 25%, 100%, 33%, 10%, and 10% of the sampled local cats, dogs, mongooses, rats, and mice, respectively, were seropositive. The high seroprevalence after this outbreak suggests that Y. enterocolitica was transmitted effectively through the captive AGM population and that age was an important risk factor for disease. Knowledge regarding local environmental sources of Y. enterocolitica and the possible role of wildlife in the maintenance of yersiniosis is necessary to prevent and manage this disease.

Influence of halothane, isoflurane, and sevoflurane on gastroesophageal reflux during anesthesia in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether maintenance of anesthesia with halothane or sevoflurane is associated with a lower incidence of gastroesophageal reflux (GER) than the use of isoflurane in dogs undergoing orthopedic surgery. ANIMALS: 90 dogs. PROCEDURES: Dogs were evaluated during elective orthopedic surgery. Dogs with a history of vomiting or that had received any drugs that would alter gastrointestinal tract function were excluded from the study. The anesthetic protocol used was standardized to include administration of acepromazine maleate and morphine prior to induction of anesthesia with thiopental. Dogs were allocated to receive halothane, isoflurane, or sevoflurane to maintain anesthesia. A sensor-tipped catheter was placed to measure esophageal pH during anesthesia. Gastroesophageal reflux was defined as an esophageal pH < 4 or > 7.5. RESULTS: 51 dogs had 1 or more episodes of acidic GER during anesthesia. Reflux was detected in 14 dogs receiving isoflurane, 19 dogs receiving halothane, and 18 dogs receiving sevoflurane. In dogs with GER, mean +/- SD time from probe placement to onset of GER was 36 +/- 65 minutes and esophageal pH remained < 4 for a mean of 64% of the measurement period. There was no significant association between GER and start of surgery or moving a dog on or off the surgery table. Dogs that developed GER soon after induction of anesthesia were more likely to regurgitate. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Maintenance of anesthesia with any of the 3 commonly used inhalant agents is associated with a similar risk for development of GER in dogs.

Airway inflammation is associated with mucous cell metaplasia and increased intraepithelial stored mucosubstances in horses.

This study was performed to determine if a peripheral sample of lung from the site where biopsy is conducted is representative of the rest of the lung and to investigate the relationship between airway inflammation and intraepithelial mucous production in the peripheral airways. Lung parenchyma samples were collected from five different regions of the lung in five control and five heaves-affected horses. Horse groups were defined by clinical response to stabling. Tissue sections were used for semi-quantitative scoring of lesions, to count the number of airways, to quantify the amount of stored mucosubstances (Vs) within the epithelium, and to count the number of epithelial cells in terminal airways. No significant differences were found between lung regions or between groups of horses. Lack of regional differences in airway structures means that a biopsy sample can be used for diagnosis and investigation of diffusely distributed diseases. Airway inflammation was correlated with mucous cell metaplasia and Vs. Therefore, in horses, mucus accumulation is partly caused by increased number of mucous cells and is associated with airway inflammation. Therapy targeted to reduce airway inflammation will help reduce the excessive mucous accumulation in horses.