Evaluation of the technique of localization of the epidural space with the aid of a peripheral nerve stimulator and epidurographic, comparing two techniques for determining the infused volume, in rabbits (Oryctolagus Cuniculus).

Veterinary care for rabbits has been growing, and, consequently, the anesthetic and analgesic management of this species must be improved. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the technique of localization of the epidural space with the aid of a peripheral nerve stimulator and epidurographic, comparing two techniques for determining the infused volume in rabbits (Oryctolagus Cuniculus). In a prospective, randomized blinded study, six healthy New Zealand rabbits, adults, and weighing from 2.2 kg to 3.8 kg received two treatments, at 1 week intervals: 0.33 mL/kg (treatment I) or 0.05 mL per centimeter of the spine (treatment II) of ioexol epidurally. In both treatments, a peripheral nerve stimulator (2 Hz, 0.25 mA and 0.1 milliseconds) was used to determine the location of the epidural space. Latero-lateral and ventro-dorsal radiographs were taken after five (T5) and twenty-five minutes (T25) of iohexol administration. The epidural space was correctly accessed in 92% of attempts. Treatment I received a smaller volume of contrast than treatment II, 1.0 ± 0.2 mL versus 2.1 ± 0.1 mL (mean ± standard deviation), respectively (p = 0.007). At T5, the cranial progression of the contrast varied between L4 and L5 in treatment I, and L5 and T10 in treatment II. At T25, no contrast was observed in any rabbit. In conclusion, peripheral nerve stimulator aided in accessing the lumbosacral epidural space, and the administration of 0.05 mL per centimeter of the spine resulted in greater cranial progression of contrast.

Anesthetic effects of isoflurane and fentanyl infusion in capuchin monkeys (Sapajus sp) undergoing salpingectomy or deferentectomy, previously chemically restrained with ketamine-midazolam or ketamine-dexmedetomidine.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the anesthetic and cardiorespiratory effects of two anesthetic protocols for salpingectomy or deferentectomy in capuchin monkeys (Sapajus sp). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five capuchin monkeys (5 per group) received ketamine (20 mg/kg) combined with midazolam (0.5 mg/kg; group KM) or dexmedetomidine (5 µg/kg; group KD) intramuscularly. Anesthesia is induced with propofol intravenously and maintained with isoflurane. Before the start of surgery, fentanyl 3 µg/kg was administered IV, and continuous infusion (10 µg/kg/min) IV was started. Times and quality of anesthetic recovery were evaluated postoperatively. RESULTS: KM and KD resulted in adequate chemical restraint. KD resulted in bradycardia. Intraoperative heart rate and systolic blood pressure were higher in KM than in KD. Both groups had smooth recovery. Time to standing was longer in KM than in KD. CONCLUSION: Both protocols allowed the performance of surgeries, with few cardiorespiratory effects. Anesthetic recovery was smooth and shorter in KD group.

Comparison of the sedative effects of three nalbuphine doses, alone or combined with acepromazine, in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To compare sedative, cardiopulmonary, and adverse effects of 3 nalbuphine doses, administered alone or in combination with acepromazine, in dogs. ANIMALS: 6 healthy dogs. PROCEDURES: Dogs were administered nalbuphine (1.0, 1.5, or 2.0 mg/kg, intravenously [IV]) combined with physiologic saline solution (1 mL, IV; treatments SN1.0, SN1.5, and SN2.0, respectively) or acepromazine (0.05 mg/kg, IV; treatments AN1.0, AN1.5, and AN2.0, respectively) in random order, with a 1-week washout interval between treatments. Sedation scores, heart rate, mean arterial pressure, respiratory rate, and rectal temperature were recorded before and 20 minutes after administration of saline solution or acepromazine (T0), and nalbuphine was administered at T0. Measurements were repeated 15, 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes after nalbuphine administration. RESULTS: Treatments SN and AN resulted in at least 120 minutes of mild sedation and 60 minutes of moderate sedation, respectively. Sedation scores were greater for treatments AN1.0, AN1.5, and AN2.0 at various times, compared with scores for treatments SN1.0, SN1.5, and SN2.0, respectively. Administration of nalbuphine alone resulted in salivation and panting in some dogs. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: All nalbuphine doses promoted mild sedation when administered alone, and moderate sedation when combined with acepromazine. Greater doses of nalbuphine did not increase sedation scores. All treatments resulted in minimal changes in heart rate, respiratory rate, rectal temperature, and mean arterial pressure. Nalbuphine alone resulted in few adverse effects.

Evaluation of anaesthetic depth and cardiopulmonary effects of propofol infusion rate in Sapajus apella previously chemically contained with dextroketamine-midazolam.

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated the cardiopulmonary effects and anaesthetic depth induced by a propofol infusion rate of 0.8 mg/kg/min in monkeys (Sapajus apella). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five capuchin monkeys received dextroketamine-midazolam intramuscularly. After a maximum duration of 5 min, the values of the physiological parameters were recorded, and a venous catheter was placed. After recovery from chemical restraint, the animals were anaesthetized with propofol intravenously, which was maintained for 1 h. Physiological parameters, anaesthetic depth, the time and quality of anaesthetic recovery were evaluated. RESULTS: Heart and respiratory rates, systolic blood pressure and rectal temperature during propofol infusion were lower than those during anaesthesia induction with dextroketamine-midazolam. Unconsciousness, muscle relaxation and lack of response to tail clamping were observed during propofol infusion. No animals showed excitement or vocalization during anaesthetic recovery. CONCLUSION: Propofol infusion rate of 0.8 mg/kg/min promoted surgical general anaesthesia, with transient hypotension, which showed excellent anaesthetic recovery.

Peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia in a healthy adult feline (Felis catus domesticus): diagnosis to surgical treatment - Case report.

Peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia (PPDH) is a communication between the abdomen and the pericardial sac generated by congenital anomalies triggered during diaphragmatic and pericardial development. This report aimed to present the case of an adult, mixed-breed cat, affected by PPDH, focusing on the period from diagnosis to successful surgical correction. The patient had a capricious appetite and weight loss for about four months and started, at the end of this period, a state of apathy. On abdominal ultrasound, the gallbladder (GB) was close to the heart, suggesting diaphragmatic discontinuity. On thoracic radiography, there were changes suggestive of PPDH, pericardial efusion or cardiomegaly with probable dilated cardiomyopathy. Based on these findings, an echocardiogram was performed, highlighting the hepatic lobe and GB internally to the pericardium, causing cardiac compression, although without severe cardiac changes. During surgery, a diaphragmatic defect of 4 cm in diameter was observed with the congested right medial hepatic lobe and hyperemic GB in the pericardial sac. The defect was sutured using the sultan pattern in separate stitches and polyamide threads. The feline returned to feeding with greater interest soon after the surgery, and after 15 days it was fed with dry food and had normal behavior. PPDH can be diagnosed in healthy adult cats, even if there are no apparent respiratory, gastrointestinal, or cardiac signs. The echocardiogram is relevant in the definitive diagnosis, in addition to excluding differential diagnoses, and simple surgical treatment with polyamide thread and sultan suture is successful.

A hérnia periotônio-pericárdica diafragmática (HPPD) comunica o abdome e o saco pericárdico, é gerada por anomalias congênitas deflagradas no desenvolvimento diafragmático e pericárdico. O objetivo deste relato é apresentar o caso de uma gata adulta, mestiça, acometida por HPPD, destacando do diagnóstico à correção cirúrgica bem sucedida. A paciente exibia apetite caprichoso e emagrecimento há cerca de 4 meses, iniciando ao final deste período, apatia. Na ultrassonografia abdominal a vesícula biliar (VB) estava próxima ao coração sugerindo ruptura diafragmática. Na radiografia torácica evidenciou-se alterações sugestivas de HPPD ou cardiomegalia com provável miocardiopatia dilatada. Devido tais achados realizou-se ecocardiograma destacando o lobo hepático e a VB no pericárdio comprimindo o coração sem comprometer sua função. Na cirurgia observou-se defeito diafragmático (4 cm), passagem do lobo hepático medial direito e da VB para o pericárdio. Suturou-se o defeito com padrão sultan e fio poliamida 3.0. A felina voltou a se alimentar com maior interesse logo após a cirurgia. A HPPD pode ser diagnosticada em felinos adultos saudáveis, mesmo que não haja sinais respiratórios, gastrointestinais ou cardíacos aparentes. O ecocardiograma é relevante no diagnóstico definitivo, além de excluir diagnósticos diferenciais, sendo o simples tratamento cirúrgico com fio poliamida e sutura sultan bem sucedido.

Comparison of the sedative effects of morphine, meperidine or fentanyl, in combination with acepromazine, in dogs / Comparação dos efeitos sedativos da morfina, meperidina ou fentanil, associados à acepromazina, em cães

This study aimed to compare the sedative effects of morphine, meperidine and fentanyl, in combination with acepromazine (ACP) and their effects on physiologic values in dogs. Six healthy beagle dogs were randomly assigned to four treatments with 7-day washout intervals. In three treatments, ACP (0.05mg kg-1) was administered and 20 minutes later, the dogs received administration of 0.5mg kg-1 of morphine (ACPMOR), 5mg kg-1 of meperidine (ACPMEP) or 5µg kg-1 of fentanyl (ACPFEN). In treatment ACP HD MOR, 0.1mg kg-1 of ACP was administered in combination with 0.5mg kg-1 of morphine. All drugs were administered intravenously. Sedation scores were evaluated by a numeric descriptive scale (NDS: 0-3) and a simple numeric scale (SNS: 0-10). All variables were evaluated for 120 minutes. The administration of ACP caused mild to moderate sedation. Sedation was improved in all treatments after opioid administration, but significant differences were detected only in ACPMOR and ACP HD MOR. More dogs presented intense sedation (NDS=3.0) after administration of morphine (3/6 and 4/6 dogs in ACPMOR and ACP HD MOR versus 1/6 in other treatments). Duration of sedation was longer in ACPMOR and ACP HD MOR. Mild to moderate decreases in blood pressure, respiratory rate and temperature were observed in all treatments but decreased HR was observed only in ACPMOR and ACP HD MOR. No significant differences were observed in the aforementioned variables when twice the dose of ACP was used (treatment ACP HD MOR). Under the conditions of this study, administration of morphine, in combination with ACP, results in greater and longer sedation than meperidine and fentanyl. Increasing the dose of ACP, in combination with morphine, does not improve the degree of sedation. All combinations used were considered to be safe for healthy dogs.

O presente estudo objetivou comparar o efeito sedativo da morfina, meperidina e fentanil associados à acepromazina (ACP) e seus efeitos sobre as variáveis fisiológicas de cães. Seis cães Beagle hígidos foram aleatoriamente submetidos a quatro tratamentos com intervalo de 7 dias. Em três tratamentos, foi administrada ACP (0,05mg kg-1) e, após 20 minutos, 0,5mg kg-1 de morfina (ACPMOR), 5mg kg-1 de meperidina (ACPMEP) ou 5µg kg-1 de fentanil (ACPFEN). No tratamento ACP DA MOR, a dose de 0,1mg kg-1 de ACP foi associada a 0,5mg kg-1 de morfina. Todos os fármacos foram administrados pela via IV. Escores de sedação foram avaliados pela escala numérica descritiva (END: 0-3) e escala numérica simples (ENS: 0-10). Todas as variáveis foram avaliadas durante 120 minutos. A administração da ACP causou sedação leve à moderada. A sedação foi intensificada em todos os tratamentos após a administração do opioide, mas diferença significativa foi observada somente em ACPMOR e ACP DA MOR. Um número maior de cães apresentou sedação intensa (END=3,0) após a administração da morfina (3/6 e 4/6 cães em ACPMOR e ACP DA MOR versus 1/6 nos demais tratamentos). A duração do efeito sedativo foi mais longa em ACPMOR e ACP DA MOR. Houve redução leve a moderada na pressão arterial, frequência respiratória e temperatura em todos os tratamentos e redução significativa da frequência cardíaca somente nos tratamentos ACPMOR e ACP DA MOR. Não houve diferenças significativas nas variáveis estudadas quando o dobro da dose de ACP foi utilizada (tratamento ACP DA MOR). Nas condições deste estudo, a administração da morfina, em associação à ACP, resulta em sedação de maior intensidade e duração do que a meperidina e o fentanil. O aumento na dose de ACP, em associação à morfina, não intensifica o grau de sedação. Todas as associações foram consideradas seguras para cães hígidos.