The effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on snake-bite-associated wounds in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) on Crotalinae envenomation-induced wound swelling and severity and pain in dogs, and to describe the safety and complications of HBOT. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, controlled, blinded study (2017-2021). SETTING: University teaching hospital, private veterinary practice. ANIMALS: Thirty-six client-owned dogs presenting within 24 hours of a confirmed or suspected naturally occurring Crotalinae snake bite injury were enrolled between 2017 and 2021. INTERVENTIONS: In addition to the standard of care treatment, dogs received 2 interventions with either HBOT (n = 19) or control (n = 16) within 24 hours of hospital admission. Dogs receiving HBOT were pressurized over 15 minutes (1 psi/min), maintained at a target pressure of 2 atmosphere absolute (ATA) for 30 minutes, and decompressed over 15 minutes. Control dogs received 1 ATA for 1 hour. Local wound swelling, wound severity score, and pain score were assessed at admission, before and after each intervention, and at hospital discharge. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: There was no significant difference in wound swelling (P = 0.414), severity score (P = 1.000), or pain score (P = 0.689) between HBOT and control groups. Pain decreased significantly over time regardless of the study intervention (P < 0.001). There were no major adverse effects associated with either study intervention. CONCLUSIONS: HBOT did not significantly alter the short-term recovery from Crotalinae envenomation in this study population. However, the study might be underpowered to detect a significant treatment effect.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy in Equine Rehabilitation: Putting the Pressure on Disease.

There are several beneficial physiologic and therapeutic effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). The indications list for the use of HBOT in the horse has been developed through extrapolation from a review of human indications and from anecdotal clinical experiences. Hyperbaric therapy is a safe treatment option with very few side effects when administered properly.

Effect of morphine and flunixin meglumine on isoflurane minimum alveolar concentration in goats.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of morphine and flunixin meglumine on isoflurane (ISO) minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) in goats. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, randomized experimental study. ANIMALS: Five adult, wether goats from 1 to 3 years in age, and weighing 24-65 kg. METHODS: Anesthesia was induced using ISO, which was delivered via a mask. Goats were intubated and ventilated to maintain an end-tidal carbon dioxide concentration between 25 and 30 mm Hg (3.3-4 kPa). End-tidal ISO concentration was measured using an infrared analyzer. The baseline ISO MAC that prevented purposeful movement in response to clamping a claw was determined. Following baseline MAC determination, each goat received one of the following four treatments intravenously (IV): morphine (2 mg kg(-1)), flunixin (1.5 mg kg(-1)), flunixin (1.5 mg kg(-1)) plus morphine (2 mg kg(-1)) or saline, and the MAC was re-determined. Goats were studied at weekly intervals, and each goat received each treatment in a randomized fashion. RESULTS: The baseline ISO MAC for the control treatment was 1.43%. Morphine reduced the MAC by 29.7%. Flunixin did not significantly decrease the MAC nor did it potentiate the effect of morphine on MAC. The quality of recovery was good in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: Morphine (2 mg kg(-1), IV) significantly reduced the ISO MAC in goats and did not adversely affect the quality of recovery. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The use of morphine, at the dose studied, in association with ISO anesthesia, will allow a clinically significant reduction in the concentration of ISO required to maintain general anesthesia in goats.

Serum concentrations and effects of detomidine delivered orally to horses in three different mediums.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect of orally delivered detomidine on head posture when administered alone or in combination with two different food items, and to determine the serum concentrations of detomidine after oral delivery. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective randomized experimental study. ANIMALS: Fifteen adult grade mares weighing 328-537 kg. METHODS: The horses were randomly assigned to one of the three treatment groups (five horses each). The groups were given detomidine (0.06 mg kg-1): alone; mixed with 3 mL of an apple sauce and gum mixture; or mixed with 3 mL molasses. Head droop, measured before treatment and at 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, and 105 minutes after treatment, was used to evaluate sedation. Yohimbine (0.1 mg kg-1 IV) was administered after the 90-minute evaluation. Blood samples were collected from the detomidine-alone group before treatment and at 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, and 90 minutes after treatment. Sera were analyzed for detomidine equivalent concentrations by an ELISA. Head droop percentages were compared using a repeated measures analysis of variance. RESULTS: Significant mean head droop developed in each treatment group by 30 minutes and persisted until reversal with yohimbine. After yohimbine administration, head positions returned to 87-91% of pre-treatment levels. There were no significant differences among the oral treatment groups at any time. Mean serum detomidine equivalents increased slowly until 45-minute post-administration, but never exceeded 30 ng mL-1. CONCLUSIONS: Orally administered detomidine results in measurable serum drug concentrations using any of the delivery mediums investigated, and can be expected to produce profound head droop in horses approximately 45 minutes after administration.