The analgesic and sedative effects of GV20 pharmacopuncture with low-dose hydromorphone in healthy dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy.

This study evaluates the analgesic efficacy of low-dose hydromorphone administered via pharmacopuncture at Governing Vessel 20 (GV20) for postoperative pain management following canine ovariohysterectomy. Fifty clinically healthy female dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy were allocated to receive hydromorphone [0.1 mg/kg body weight (BW)] intramuscularly (IM, n = 25) or hydromorphone (0.01 mg/kg BW) pharmacopuncture at GV20 (GV, n = 25) following extubation. This was a prospective, blinded, randomized clinical trial. Pain and sedation scores were evaluated using the Glasgow Composite Measure Pain Scale Short Form (CMPS-SF) at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 12 hours following study treatment. Time of treatment failure (CMPS-SF ≥ 6/24) was recorded and analyzed using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Patient demographics and duration of surgery and anesthesia were analyzed using the appropriate unpaired Student's t-test. The Glasgow CMPS-SF and sedation score were analyzed using a repeated measures 2-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Bonferroni post-test where appropriate. Significance was set a P < 0.05. There were no significant differences in patient demographics, anesthesia and surgery duration, and study treatment failure. The Glasgow CMPS-SF scores were significantly higher for IM compared with GV [2 (0 to 8) versus 1 (0 to 6), respectively; P = 0.044] at 4 hours. Sedation scores were significantly higher for IM compared with GV at 2 [2 (1 to 3) and 1 (1 to 3), respectively; P = 0.0004] and 4 [1 (1 to 3) and 1 (1 to 2), respectively; P = 0.03] hours. Pharmacopuncture with low-dose hydromorphone provided adequate postoperative analgesia in dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy with reduced sedative effects. Pharmacopuncture is a good alternative in dogs when reduced dosing of opioids is recommended.

Les effets analgésiques et sédatifs de la pharmacopuncture du GV20 avec de l'hydromorphone à faible dose chez des chiens sains subissant une ovariohystérectomie. Cette étude visait à évaluer l'efficacité analgésique de l'hydromorphone à faible dose administrée par pharmacopuncture au Vaisseau Gouverneur 20 (GV20) pour la gestion de la douleur postopératoire après une ovariohystérectomie canine. Cinquante chiennes cliniquement saines subissant une ovariohystérectomie ont été assignées à une pharmacopuncture d'hydromorphone [0,1 mg/kg de poids corporel (PC)] par voie intramusculaire (IM, n = 25) ou d'hydromorphone (0,01 mg/kg de poids corporel) à GV20 (GV, n = 25) après extubation. Il s'agissait d'un essai clinique prospectif, en aveugle et randomisé. Les scores de douleur et de sédation ont été évalués à l'aide de la Glasgow Composite Measure Pain Scale Short Form (CMPS-SF) à 1, 2, 3, 4 et 12 heures après le traitement de l'étude. Le temps d'échec du traitement (CMPS-SF ≥ 6/24) a été enregistré et analysé à l'aide de l'analyse de survie de Kaplan-Meier. Les données démographiques des patients et la durée de la chirurgie et de l'anesthésie ont été analysées à l'aide du test t de Student non apparié approprié. Le Glasgow CMPS-SF et le score de sédation ont été analysés à l'aide d'une analyse de variance à deux voies (ANOVA) à mesures répétées suivie d'un post-test de Bonferroni, le cas échéant. La signification a été fixée à un P < 0,05. Il n'y avait pas de différences significatives dans les caractéristiques démographiques des patients, la durée de l'anesthésie et de la chirurgie et l'échec du traitement de l'étude. Les scores Glasgow CMPS-SF étaient significativement plus élevés pour IM par rapport à GV [2 (0 à 8) versus 1 (0 à 6), respectivement; P = 0,044] à 4 heures. Les scores de sédation étaient significativement plus élevés pour IM par rapport à la GV à 2 [2 (1 à 3) et 1 (1 à 3), respectivement; P = 0,0004] et 4 [1 (1 à 3) et 1 (1 à 2), respectivement; P = 0,03] heures. La pharmacopuncture avec de l'hydromorphone à faible dose a fourni une analgésie postopératoire adéquate chez les chiens subissant une ovariohystérectomie avec des effets sédatifs réduits. La pharmacopuncture est une bonne alternative chez le chien lorsqu'un dosage réduit des opioïdes est recommandé.(Traduit par Dr Serge Messier).

Eliciting the Student Perspective on Point-of-Care Diagnostic Testing in Association with a Primary Care Rotation.

The majority of North American veterinary students enter general practice upon graduation. Tertiary teaching hospitals provide extensive case exposure; however, primary case responsibility and decision making are often provided by clinical faculty members. Primary care services at veterinary teaching hospitals are a central component of student preparation for general practice. Primary care cases allow students to function as the primary clinician, making real-time clinical decisions. To better emulate a private practice veterinary hospital, point-of-care diagnostics (hematology, blood chemistry, and blood coagulation) were introduced into two primary care services in North American veterinary colleges. One objective of the study was to determine the influence of point-of-care testing on students' diagnostic selections and attitudes toward point-of-care diagnostics. An additional objective was to determine student perception of the impact of the primary care service on the development of clinical decision making and their technical skills. During the study period, 166 students voluntarily completed a pre-rotation survey, and 81 completed a post-rotation survey. Questions elicited student opinions regarding the value and application of point-of-care diagnostics in a general practice setting and whether a primary care service impacted the students' overall comfort level with case management. Point-of-care diagnostics were recognized as significant assets, with 98% of students agreeing that point-of-care diagnostics improved patient care and outcome. Results supported that primary care services provide valuable experiences for students as primary case clinicians, with 93% of respondents agreeing or strongly agreeing that the rotation improved their diagnostic ability and confidence.