Can detomidine replace medetomidine for pharmacological semen collection in domestic cats?

Among the different methods used for semen collection from domestic cats, the pharmacological collection by urethral catheterization becomes disruptive. Medetomidine is the elected α2-adrenoceptor agonist for that, but in several countries, it is not commercially available. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of detomidine compared to medetomidine in collecting semen by urethral catheterization in domestic cats. Urethral catheterization was performed on 13 mongrel cats using a disposable semi-rigid tomcat urinary catheter. Of the 19 semen collections performed with medetomidine induction, 94.7% were successful, while with detomidine induction, only 56.3% of 16 were successful. The values semen samples variables were as follows for volume - 10.56 ± 0.4 vs 8.88 ± 0.5 mL, motility - 171.67 ± 0.79 vs 49.77 ± 3.45%, vigor - 4.1 ± 0.03 vs 3.10 ± 0.1 and concentration - 3.24 ± 0.19 vs 2.15 ± 0.13 ×109 sperm/mL respectively for medetomidine and detomidine group. The failure in semen collections with detomidine was mainly due to azoospermic samples, poor urethral relaxation, insufficient volume, or contamination of urine. The sperm concentration was also lower in the detomidine group (P <0.05) when compared to medetomidine. However, when the volume of semen collected was compared, we found no statistical differences. Despite its low performance in collecting semen from cats, detomidine may be an alternative when medetomidine is not accessible.

Effects of ropivacaine combined with morphine at 0.15 and 0.2 mg kg(-1) in bitches undergoing epidural anesthesia.

PURPOSE: To investigate cardiorespiratory effects and serum concentration of ropivacaine combined with morphine at different doses. METHODS: Sixteen healthy adult female dogs weighting 9.8 ± 4.1 kg were included in the study. Twenty minutes after being premedicated with acepromazine and midazolam, the animals were randomly assigned to receive an epidural injection according to each group: RM0.15 = ropivacaine + morphine (0.15 mg kg(-1)) and RM0.2 = ropivacaine + morphine (0.2 mg kg(-1)). Variables recorded consisted of: heart rate and cardiac rhythm, respiratory rate, oxyhemoglobin saturation, inspired oxygen fraction, end-tidal carbon dioxide tension, systolic, mean and diastolic arterial pressures, serum cortisol, plasma ropivacaine and morphine. RESULTS: SAP, MAP and DAP were significantly increased at TPR in RM0.15 but returned to normal values at the end of the procedure. Arterial pH was decreased in T30 and TESu in both groups and also returned to acceptable ranges at TR. Both PaO2 and PaCO2 were increased along the duration period of the epidural blockade (T30 and TESu) and returned to acceptable values at TR. Serum cortisol was lower at TB, T30 and TR when compared to TESu. CONCLUSION: The procedures were performed safely and minimal changes in cardiovascular and respiratory variables.

Effects of ropivacaine combined with morphine at 0.15 and 0.2 mg kg-1 in bitches undergoing epidural anesthesia

PURPOSE: To investigate cardiorespiratory effects and serum concentration of ropivacaine combined with morphine at different doses. METHODS: Sixteen healthy adult female dogs weighting 9.8±4.1 kg were included in the study. Twenty minutes after being premedicated with acepromazine and midazolam, the animals were randomly assigned to receive an epidural injection according to each group: RM0.15 = ropivacaine + morphine (0.15 mg kg-1) and RM0.2 = ropivacaine + morphine (0.2 mg kg-1). Variables recorded consisted of: heart rate and cardiac rhythm, respiratory rate, oxyhemoglobin saturation, inspired oxygen fraction, end-tidal carbon dioxide tension, systolic, mean and diastolic arterial pressures, serum cortisol, plasma ropivacaine and morphine. RESULTS: SAP, MAP and DAP were significantly increased at TPR in RM0.15 but returned to normal values at the end of the procedure. Arterial pH was decreased in T30 and TESu in both groups and also returned to acceptable ranges at TR. Both PaO2 and PaCO2 were increased along the duration period of the epidural blockade (T30 and TESu) and returned to acceptable values at TR. Serum cortisol was lower at TB, T30 and TR when compared to TESu. CONCLUSION: The procedures were performed safely and minimal changes in cardiovascular and respiratory variables. .

Bispectral index in calves anesthetized with xylazine, midazolam, ketamine, isoflurane and subjected to continuous rate infusion of lidocaine.

PURPOSE: To assess the bispectral index (BIS) and recovery in calves anesthetized with xylazine, midazolam, ketamine and isoflurane and subjected to CRI of lidocaine. METHODS: Xilazine was administered followed by ketamine and midazolam, orotracheal intubation and maintenance on isoflurane using mechanical ventilation. Lidocaine (2 mg kg(-1) bolus) or saline (0.9%) was administered i.v. followed by a CRI (100 µg kg(-1) minute(-1)) of lidocaine (L) or saline (C). Were recorded BIS, heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP) and rectal temperature (RT) before administration of premedication (TB) and 15 minutes after (TX), before administering lidocaine (T0) and 20, 40, 60 and 80 minutes after the start of the CRI . Time do sternal recumbency (SRE) and standing (ST) and plasma lidocaine concentration also evaluated. RESULTS: In both treatments BIS decreased significantly at all times compared to TB. TX was higher than the subsequent times. HR decreased from baseline at all times and decreased from T40 in L compared to C. SRE was higher in L compared to C. CONCLUSIONS: Bispectral index values were consistent with the degree of hypnosis of the animals. Lidocaine did not potentiate isoflurane anesthesia assessed by BIS in unstimulated calves anesthetized with constant E´Iso. Lidocaine increased the time to sternal recumbency.

Bispectral index in calves anesthetized with xylazine, midazolam, ketamine, isoflurane and subjected to continuous rate infusion of lidocaine

PURPOSE: To assess the bispectral index (BIS) and recovery in calves anesthetized with xylazine, midazolam, ketamine and isoflurane and subjected to CRI of lidocaine. METHODS: Xilazine was administered followed by ketamine and midazolam, orotracheal intubation and maintenance on isoflurane using mechanical ventilation. Lidocaine (2 mg kg-1 bolus) or saline (0.9%) was administered IV followed by a CRI (100 µg kg-1 minute-1) of lidocaine (L) or saline (C). Were recorded BIS, heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP) and rectal temperature (RT) before administration of premedication (TB) and 15 minutes after (TX), before administering lidocaine (T0) and 20, 40, 60 and 80 minutes after the start of the CRI . Time do sternal recumbency (SRE) and standing (ST) and plasma lidocaine concentration also evaluated. RESULTS: In both treatments BIS decreased significantly at all times compared to TB. TX was higher than the subsequent times. HR decreased from baseline at all times and decreased from T40 in L compared to C. SRE was higher in L compared to C. CONCLUSIONS: Bispectral index values were consistent with the degree of hypnosis of the animals. Lidocaine did not potentiate isoflurane anesthesia assessed by BIS in unstimulated calves anesthetized with constant E´Iso. Lidocaine increased the time to sternal recumbency. .

Effects of continuous rate infusion of butorphanol in isoflurane-anesthetized calves.

PURPOSE: To assess the hemodynamic changes and bispectral index (BIS) following administration of a continuous rate infusion (CRI) of butorphanol in isoflurane-anesthetized calves. METHODS: Eight calves weighing 110 ± 12 kg were included in the study. Anesthesia was induced with 5% isoflurane in O2 delivered via face mask and maintained with end-tidal concentration of 1.4%. IPPV was set to a peak inspiratory airway pressure of 15 cmH2O and respiratory rate of six breaths minute-1. Forty minutes after the start of anesthetic maintenance, 0.1 mg kg-1butorphanol was administered intravenously, followed by a CRI of 20 µg kg-1 minute-1. Hemodynamic variables and BIS were recorded before butorphanol administration (T0), and at 10, 20, 40 and 80 minutes following the CRI. Anesthesia was discontinued after the last recording and the calves were allowed to recover. The time to sternal recumbency (SRE) and standing (ST) were evaluated. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the moments in all hemodynamic variables and BIS. The time to SRE and ST was 9 ± 5 and 14 ± 7 minutes, respectively. CONCLUSION: The continuous rate infusion did not produce clinically relevant changes in hemodynamic or bispectral index values compared to baseline in mechanically ventilated and unstimulated calves anesthetized at 1.4% isoflurane.

Effects of continuous rate infusion of butorphanol in isoflurane-anesthetized calves

PURPOSE: To assess the hemodynamic changes and bispectral index (BIS) following administration of a continuous rate infusion (CRI) of butorphanol in isoflurane-anesthetized calves. METHODS: Eight calves weighing 110 ± 12 kg were included in the study. Anesthesia was induced with 5% isoflurane in O2 delivered via face mask and maintained with end-tidal concentration of 1.4%. IPPV was set to a peak inspiratory airway pressure of 15 cmH2O and respiratory rate of six breaths minute-1. Forty minutes after the start of anesthetic maintenance, 0.1 mg kg-1butorphanol was administered intravenously, followed by a CRI of 20 µg kg-1 minute-1. Hemodynamic variables and BIS were recorded before butorphanol administration (T0), and at 10, 20, 40 and 80 minutes following the CRI. Anesthesia was discontinued after the last recording and the calves were allowed to recover. The time to sternal recumbency (SRE) and standing (ST) were evaluated. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the moments in all hemodynamic variables and BIS. The time to SRE and ST was 9 ± 5 and 14 ± 7 minutes, respectively. CONCLUSION: The continuous rate infusion did not produce clinically relevant changes in hemodynamic or bispectral index values compared to baseline in mechanically ventilated and unstimulated calves anesthetized at 1.4% isoflurane. .

Tissue ingrowth into perforated polymethylmethacrylate orbital implants: an experimental study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical response and fibrovascular ingrowth into perforated acrylic orbital implants in a rabbit model. METHODS: Perforated implants were manufactured by drilling channels interconnected at the center in conventional 12- to 13-mm acrylic spheres. The implants were placed in 16 eviscerated eyes with posterior sclerotomy of 16 New Zealand white rabbits. Clinical evaluation was performed daily for the first 14 days after surgery and at 7-day intervals until the end of the study (180 days). Histopathologic analysis was performed at 14, 45, 90, and 180 days after implantation. Hematoxylin-eosin and picrosirius red staining was used to assess the inflammatory reaction and collagen formation. RESULTS: There were no signs of infection, implant exposure, or extrusion in any animal during the study. Tissue ingrowth in the implant center was already detected by 14 days. At the end of the study, there was a dense collagen ingrowth with just a few inflammatory cells inside the implant. No multinucleated giant cells were found in any implant. CONCLUSIONS: Similar to porous implants, perforated acrylic implants permit fibrovascular ingrowth from surrounding orbital tissues.

[Biodegradable systems containing prednisolone acetate for orbital administration]. / Sistemas biodegradáveis contendo acetato de prednisolona para administração orbitária.

PURPOSE: The present study aimed to evaluate an injectable extended-release formulation of prednisolone acetate (PA) for orbital administration. METHODS: Microspheres (MEs) of poly-e-caprolactone (PCL) containing PA were developed by the method of solvent evaporation. The MEs obtained were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), encapsulation efficiency and in vitro release profile. The in vivo release profile was evaluated in rabbits after periocular injection of an aqueous suspension of MEs. The local biocompatibility of the system was verified by histopathologic analysis of the deployment region. RESULTS: After MEs preparation, morphological analysis by SEM showed the feasibility of the employed method. The content of PA encapsulated was 43+/-7% and can be considered as satisfactory. The system characterization by DSC technique, in addition to confirm the system stability, did not indicate the existence of interaction between the drug and the polymer. The in vitro release study showed the prolonged-release features of the developed system. Preliminary in vivo study showed the absence of local toxicity and confirmed the prolonged release profile of PA from MEs, suggesting the viability of the developed system for the treatment of orbital inflammatory diseases. CONCLUSION: The results obtained in this work are relevant and accredit the system developed as a possible alternative to the treatment of inflammatory orbitopathy.

Ropivacaína isolada e associada ao fentanil ou ao tramadol administrados pela via peridural em cães / Ropivacaine individually and in combination with fentanyl or tramadol, administered by peridural via in dogs

A anestesia peridural é amplamente difundida no meio veterinário, utilizando-se o anestésico local isolado ou associado aos opióides, capazes de promover aumento do efeito analgésico. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a função cardiorrespiratória e analgésica da ropivacaína isolada ou associada ao fentanil ou tramadol. Para tanto, oito cães foram tranqüilizados com acepromazina, submetidos à anestesia peridural com um dos seguintes protocolos: GR (ropivacaína), GRF (ropivacaína + fentanil), GRT (ropivacaína + tramadol), em volume total de 0,25ml kg-1, e foram avaliados os parâmetros: freqüência cardíaca e respiratória, temperatura retal, pressão arterial sistólica, e gasometria do sangue arterial, os bloqueios sensitivo e motor, o grau de sedação e a ocorrência de possíveis efeitos indesejáveis. A diminuição da freqüência cardíaca nos grupos GRF e GRT foi mais intensa e ocorreu hipotermia significativa no GRF. Foi evidenciada sedação severa em GRF e GRT. O período de recuperação foi mais curto nos animais de GRT. O GRT foi o grupo que apresentou bloqueio mais cranial. Foram observadas bradicardia, hipotermia e síndrome de Shiff-Sherrington no período trans-anestésico em animais de todos os grupos. Nas 24 horas de período pós-anestésico, não foram evidenciados efeitos indesejáveis nos grupos. O GRF apresentou maior duração de anestesia e analgesia, enquanto que o GRT apresentou a menor duração de anestesia com analgesia intermediária e o GR apresentou duração intermediária, com menor analgesia. Não foram encontradas alterações respiratórias e hemogasométricas, porém, bradicardia, hipotermia e síndrome de Schiff-Sherrington, alterações trans-anestésicas comuns na anestesia peridural foram encontradas.

Peridural anesthesia is broadly applied in the Veterinary field, using the isolated local anesthetic or in combination with opiates capable to increase the analgesic effect. This research compared analgesia and cardiorespiratory effects of epidural anaesthesia produced by ropivacaine alone or combined with fentanyl or tramadol in eight mixed breed adult dogs after sedation with acepromazina. Drugs were administered on the following protocols: GR (ropivacaine), GRF (ropivacaine + fentanyl), GRT (ropivacaine + tramadol), in 0.25ml kg-1 of total volume. Heart and respiratory rate, rectal temperature, blood pressure and, gasometry of atrial blood were mensured, as well the sensory and motor blockade (latency and period of action), degree of sedation and side effects. The most important decrease of the heart rate occurred in GRF and GRT. Also significant hypothermia in GRF. Intense degree of sedation was observed in GRF and GRT. The period of recovery was shorter in GRT. The most cranial region of blockade occurred in GRT. Bradicardia, hypothermia and Shiff-Sherrington syndrom were observed in the transanesthetic period in animal from all of the groups. During 24 hours after the anaesthesia no side effects were observed. The GRF had the longer period of anesthesia and analgesia, GRT presented the shorter period of anesthesia with intermediate analgesia and, GR presented intermediate period of anesthesia with lower degree of analgesia. Respiratory and hemogasometrics change were not found, but hipotermy, bradicardy and Schiff-Sherrington syndrome, side effects usually seen in peridural anesthesia, were observed in this study.