The effects of maxillary nerve block, ethmoidal nerve block and their combination on cardiopulmonary responses to nasal stimulation in anesthetized Beagle dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To describe an approach for ethmoidal nerve block (EBLOCK) and to compare the effects of a maxillary nerve block (MBLOCK), EBLOCK and their combination (M-EBLOCK) on heart rate (HR), systolic (SAP), mean (MAP), diastolic (DAP) arterial pressures and respiratory rate (fR) during nasal stimulation in dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, blinded, randomized, crossover placebo-controlled study. ANIMALS: Beagle dogs (five cadavers, nine live dogs), with a median (interquartile range) weight of 10.5 (10.3-11.0) kg. METHODS: The accuracy of iohexol injections (each 1 mL) at the maxillary and ethmoidal foramina in cadavers was evaluated using computed tomography. Then, anesthetized dogs were administered four bilateral treatments separated by 1 week, saline or 2% lidocaine 1 mL per injection: injections of saline at the maxillary and ethmoidal foramina (Control), injections of lidocaine at the maxillary foramina and saline at the ethmoidal foramina (MBLOCK), injections of saline at the maxillary foramina and lidocaine at the ethmoidal foramina (EBLOCK) and injections of lidocaine at all foramina (M-EBLOCK). The ventral nasal meatus was bilaterally stimulated using cotton swabs, and HR, SAP, MAP, DAP and fR were continuously recorded. Values for each variable were compared before and after stimulation using Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Changes in variables among treatments were analyzed using Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests (p ≤ 0.05). RESULTS: Computed tomography revealed iohexol distribution around the openings of the target foramina in all cadavers. In living dogs, HR, SAP, MAP, DAP and fR significantly increased after stimulation within each treatment (p < 0.03). Physiologic responses were significantly attenuated, but not absent, in the M-EBLOCK [HR (p = 0.019), SAP, MAP, DAP and fR (all p ≤ 0.001)] compared with those in the Control. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Concurrent injections of lidocaine at the maxillary and ethmoidal foramina attenuated HR, arterial pressure and fR responses to nasal stimulation in Beagle dogs.

Fluoroscopy-guided approach to the lumbar dorsal root ganglion in dogs: cadaver study in Beagles.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate an approach to the canine lumbar dorsal root ganglion (DRG), a significant contributor to the pain pathway, using new methylene blue staining. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective randomized study. ANIMALS: A total of three Beagle dog cadavers weighing 10.4 ± 0.7 kg (mean ± standard deviation). METHODS: Bilateral third to fifth lumbar DRG approaches were performed in three dog cadavers positioned in sternal recumbency. The mammillary process was palpated, and a 22 gauge spinal needle was inserted through the skin 1 cm lateral to the process and directed towards the median plane at a 45° angle to the dorsal plane. The needle was advanced along the transverse plane until touching bone, or a popping sensation was detected. Under fluoroscopic guidance, the position of the needle tip was adjusted to be in the cranioventral part of the intervertebral foramen. The location of the needle was confirmed by demarcation of the nerve roots after iohexol (0.1 mL) injection. For evaluation of the DRG approach, new methylene blue (0.1 mL) was injected. Subsequently, anatomical dissection of the area was performed. The DRG staining was scored as follows: 0, no staining; 1, partial (<50%); 2, partial (≥50%); and 3, complete staining. Comparisons among the staining scores of the third to fifth DRG were assessed with the Friedman test. RESULTS: Staining score 3 was achieved in 14 of 18 (77.8%) sites. Staining scores 2, 1 and 0 were identified at two, one and one of the 18 sites, respectively. No significant difference was noted in the staining scores among the third to fifth DRGs (p = 0.78). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The technique used for DRG injections achieved adequate DRG staining, supporting use of the fluoroscopy-guided approach to the canine lumbar DRG.

Changes in endotracheal tube intracuff pressure and air leak pressure over time in anesthetized Beagle dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate endotracheal tube intracuff pressure (Pcuff) changes over time and the effect of these changes on air leak pressure (Pleak). STUDY DESIGN: Prospective experimental study. ANIMALS: A group of nine healthy adult Beagle dogs. METHODS: In part I, in vitro measurements of Pcuff were recorded for 1 hour in eight endotracheal tubes subjected to four treatments: room temperature without lubricant (RT0L), room temperature with lubricant (RTWL), body temperature without lubricant (BT0L), and body temperature with lubricant (BTWL). In part II, nine dogs were endotracheally intubated and Pleak was evaluated at Pcuff of 25 mmHg. Subsequently, Pcuff was reset to 25 mmHg (baseline) and Pcuff measurements were recorded every 5 minutes for 1 hour. Subsequently, a second Pleak measurement was recorded at the current Pcuff. The data were analyzed using Wilcoxon signed-rank test, repeated measures anova and Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: In part I, Pcuff differed significantly between the RT0L and RTWL treatments at 5-60 minutes, and between the BT0L and BTWL treatments at 5-35, 55 and 60 minutes (p < 0.05). In part II, compared with baseline pressures, mean Pcuff decreased to <18 mmHg at 10 minutes and significant decreases were recorded at 15-60 minutes (Pcuff range: 10.0 ± 4.9 to 13.4 ± 6.3 mmHg, mean ± standard deviation). Significant differences were observed between the first and second Pleak measurements (p = 0.034). Pleak decreased in six of nine dogs, was not changed in two dogs and increased in one dog. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Significant decreases in Pcuff over time were measured. Pleak may decrease during anesthesia and increase the risk for silent pulmonary aspiration. The results indicate the need for testing Pcuff more than once, especially at 10 minutes after the onset of anesthesia.

Selection of appropriate endotracheal tube size using thoracic radiography in Beagle dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the optimal endotracheal tube size in Beagle dogs using thoracic radiography. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, crossover experimental study. ANIMALS: A total of eight healthy adult Beagle dogs. METHODS: Lateral thoracic radiographs were used to measure the internal tracheal diameter at the thoracic inlet. This measurement was multiplied by 60, 70 and 80% to determine the outer diameter of the endotracheal tube for each dog. In each treatment, medetomidine (5 µg kg-1) was administered intravenously (IV) for premedication. Anesthesia was induced with alfaxalone (2 mg kg-1) IV and maintained with isoflurane. After induction of anesthesia, the resistance to passage of the endotracheal tube through the trachea was scored by a single anesthesiologist. Air leak pressures (Pleak) were measured at intracuff pressures (Pcuff) of 20 and 25 mmHg (27 and 34 cmH2O). The results were analyzed using Friedman tests and repeated measures anova. RESULTS: There were statistically significant increases in resistance as the endotracheal tube size increased (p = 0.003). When Pcuff was 20 mmHg, mean Pleak for the 60, 70 and 80% treatments were 9.7 ± 6.7, 16.2 ± 4.2 and 17.4 ± 3.9 cmH2O, respectively, but no significant differences were found. When Pcuff was 25 mmHg, mean Pleak for the 60, 70 and 80% treatments were 10.6 ± 8.5, 19.7 ± 4.9 and 20.8 ± 3.6 cmH2O, respectively, and statistically significant increases were found between treatments 60 and 70% (p = 0.011) and between treatments 60 and 80% (p = 0.020). Three dogs in the 80% treatment had bloody mucus on the endotracheal tube cuff after extubation. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results based on resistance to insertion of the endotracheal tube and the ability to achieve an air-tight seal suggest that an appropriately sized endotracheal tube for Beagle dogs is 70% of the internal tracheal diameter measured on thoracic radiography.