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.