Sciatic and femoral nerve blockade using bupivacaine alone, or in combination with dexmedetomidine or buprenorphine in cats.

The aim of this study was to determine the onset and offset of antinociception after sciatic (ScN) and femoral (FN) nerve blocks. Six healthy adult cats (4.8±1.3years; 4.3±0.4 kg) were included in a randomised, crossover, blinded and controlled study. Following sedation with dexmedetomidine (25 µg/kg, intramuscular), each ScN and FN injection was performed using 0.1 ml/kg of saline (CONTROL), bupivacaine (0.46 per cent, 0.46 mg/kg; BUPI), bupivacaine and dexmedetomidine (1 µg/kg; BUPI-DEX) or bupivacaine and buprenorphine (2.5 µg/kg; BUPI-BUPRE). Atipamezole (250 µg/kg) was administered after injections. Paw withdrawal thresholds (PWT) and motor blockade were evaluated before sedation and up to 24 hours. The PWT were significantly increased at half an hour in CONTROL, from two to four hours in BUPI and BUPI-DEX when compared with baseline. Motor blockade was observed between one and three hours in treatments using bupivacaine. Ability to walk was significantly impaired in BUPI at half an hour to two hours, BUPI-DEX at one to two hours and BUPI-BUPRE at two hours. Antinociception was observed in BUPI between one and eight hours, and in BUPI-DEX and BUPI-BUPRE between one and four hours. This study could not demonstrate a benefit of administering bupivacaine with dexmedetomidine or buprenorphine in cats. Results in BUPI-DEX may have been biased by the administration of atipamezole.

Use of pulse pressure variation to estimate changes in preload during experimental acute normovolemic hemodilution.

BACKGROUND: Acute normovolemic hemodilution (ANH) is an alternative to blood transfusion in surgeries involving blood loss. This experimental study was designed to evaluate whether pulse pressure variation (PPV) would be an adequate tool for monitoring changes in preload during ANH, as assessed by transesophageal echocardiography. METHODS: Twenty-one anesthetized and mechanically ventilated pigs were randomized into three groups: CTL (control), HES (hemodilution with 6% hydroxyethyl starch at a 1:1 ratio) or NS (hemodilution with saline 0.9% at a 3:1 ratio). Hemodilution was performed in animals of groups NS and HES in two stages, with target hematocrits 22% and 15%, achieved at 30-minute intervals. After two hours, 50% of the blood volume withdrawn was transfused and animals were monitored for another hour. Statistical analysis was based on ANOVA for repeated measures followed by multiple comparison test (P<0.05). Pearson's correlations were performed between changes in left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) and PPV, central venous pressure (CVP) and pulmonary artery occlusion pressure (PAOP). RESULTS: Group NS received a significantly greater amount of fluids during ANH (NS, 900 ± 168 mL vs. HES, 200 ± 50 mL, P<0.05) and presented greater urine output (NS, 2643 ± 1097 mL vs. HES, 641 ± 338 mL, P<0.001). Significant decreases in LVEDV were observed in group NS from completion of ANH until transfusion. In group HES, only increases in LVEDV were observed, at the end of ANH and at transfusion. Such changes in LVEDV (∆LVEDV) were better reflected by changes in PPV (∆PPV, R=-0.62) than changes in CVP (∆CVP, R=0.32) or in PAOP (∆PAOP, R=0.42, respectively). CONCLUSION: Changes in preload during ANH were detected by changes in PPV. ∆PPV was superior to ∆PAOP and ∆CVP to this end.

Efeitos cardiovasculares da anestesia dissociativa na reposição volêmica com colóide e solução hipertônica em cães: avaliação biotelemétrica / Cardiovascular effects of dissociative anesthesia in the volemic expansion with colloid and hypertonic solution in dogs: biotelemetric evaluation

Avaliaram-se os efeitos cardiovasculares por um período de 24 horas, após a administração de solução salina hipertônica (NaCl) 7,5 por cento ou em associação ao hidroxietilamido 130/0,4 (HES), em cães com hipovolemia induzida e tratados com cetamina levógira ou racêmica. Após a indução da hipovolemia, administrou-se NaCl 7,5 por cento (4mL/kg) no grupo hipertônica levógira (GHL) e no grupo hipertônica racêmica (GHR) ou HES 130/0,4 na mesma proporção de sangue retirado, associado a NaCl 7,5 por cento (4mL/kg) no grupo hipertônica colóide levógira (GHCL) e no grupo hipertônica colóide racêmica (GHCR). Após 30 minutos, administrou-se por via intravenosa, cetamina levógira (CL; 5mg/kg) no GHL e GHCL ou cetamina racêmica (CR; 10mg/kg) no GHR e GHCR. A frequência cardíaca (FC) e a pressão arterial sistólica (PAS) foram menores após a hipovolemia e após a CR. A pressão arterial média (PAM) e a pressão arterial diastólica (PAD) foram menores após a hipovolemia e após a administração de CL e CR. Não foram observadas diferenças significativas entre os grupos em relação à FC, PAS, PAM e PAD durante o período de mensuração por biotelemetria desde T210 até T1440. A administração de HES associado ao NaCl 7,5 por cento propiciou restabelecimento imediato da PAM, a administração de NaCl 7,5 por cento não restaurou a PAM em pacientes hipovolêmicos, a administração de CR ou CL produziu efeitos semelhantes e todos os tratamentos mantiveram estáveis as pressões arteriais e a FC por um período de até 24 horas.

The cardiovascular effects were evaluated for a 24-hour period, after the administration of hypertonic solution (NaCl 7.5 percent) or in association with hidroxyethyl starch 130/0.4 (HES) in dogs under induced experimental hypovolemia and treated with racemic ketamine (RK) or S(+) ketamine (SK). After the hypovolemia induction, administration of NaCl 7.5 percent (4mL.kg-1) was performed in two groups named hypertonic S(+) (HSG) and hypertonic racemic (HRG), or NaCl 7.5 percent (4mL.kg-1) in association with HES, in the same ratio of removed blood, in two groups named hypertonic colloid S(+) (HCSG) and hypertonic colloid racemic (HCRG). After 30 minutes, SK (5mg.kg-1) was administered by intravenous injection in HSG and HCSG groups, or RK (10mg.kg-1) in HRG and HCRG groups. The heart rate (HR) and systolic arterial pressure (SAP) were lower after hypovolemia and RK. Mean (MAP) and diastolic arterial pressure (DAP) were reduced after hypovolemia and either SK or RK administration. Significant differences were not observed among the groups to HR, SAP, MAP, and DAP during the biotelemetry mensuration period, from T210 to T1440. HES associated with NaCl 7.5 percent administration propitiated immediate re-establishment of MAP. NaCl 7.5 percent administration did not restore MAP in hypovolemic patients. Either RK or SK administrations produced similar effects and all of the treatments maintained stable blood pressure and heart rate for a 24-hour period.

Hemodynamic effects of PEEP in a porcine model of HCl-induced mild acute lung injury.

BACKGROUND: Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) and sustained inspiratory insufflations (SI) during acute lung injury (ALI) are suggested to improve oxygenation and respiratory mechanics. We aimed to investigate the hemodynamic effects of PEEP with and without alveolar recruiting maneuver in a mild ALI model induced by inhalation of hydrochloric acid. METHODS: Thirty-two pigs were randomly allocated into four groups (Control-PEEP, Control-SI, ALI-PEEP and ALI-SI). ALI was induced by intratracheal instillation of hydrochloric acid. PEEP values were progressively increased and decreased from 5, 10, 15 and 20 cmH2O in all groups. Three SIs maneuvers of 30 cmH2O for 20 s were applied to the assignable groups between each PEEP level. Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), global hemodynamics, oxygenation indexes and gastric tonometry were measured 5 min after the maneuvers had been concluded and at each established value of PEEP (5, 10, 15 and 20 cmH2O). RESULTS: The cardiac index, ejection fraction and end-diastolic volume of right ventricle were significantly (P < 0.001) decreased with PEEP in both Control and ALI groups. Left ventricle echocardiography showed a significant decrease in end-diastolic volume at 20 cmH2O of PEEP (P < 0.001). SIs did not exert any significant hemodynamic effects either early (after 5 min) or late (after 3 h). CONCLUSIONS: In a mild ALI model induced by inhalation of hydrochloric acid, significant hemodynamic impairment characterized by cardiac function deterioration occurred during PEEP increment, but SI, probably due to low applied values (30 cmH2O), did not exert further negative hemodynamic effects. PEEP should be used cautiously in ALI caused by acid gastric content inhalation.

Comparative study of pressure- and volume-controlled ventilation on pulse pressure variation in a model of hypovolaemia in rabbits.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Dynamic indices represented by systolic pressure variation and pulse pressure variation have been demonstrated to be more accurate than filling pressures in predicting fluid responsiveness. However, the literature is scarce concerning the impact of different ventilatory modes on these indices. We hypothesized that systolic pressure variation or pulse pressure variation could be affected differently by volume-controlled ventilation and pressure-controlled ventilation in an experimental model, during normovolaemia and hypovolaemia. METHOD: Thirty-two anaesthetized rabbits were randomly allocated into four groups according to ventilatory modality and volaemic status where G1-ConPCV was the pressure-controlled ventilation control group, G2-HemPCV was associated with haemorrhage, G3-ConVCV was the volume-controlled ventilation control group and G4-HemVCV was associated with haemorrhage. In the haemorrhage groups, blood was removed in two stages: 15% of the estimated blood volume withdrawal at M1, and, 30 min later, an additional 15% at M2. Data were submitted to analysis of variance for repeated measures; a value of P < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. RESULTS: At M0 (baseline), no significant differences were observed among groups. At M1, dynamic parameters differed significantly among the control and hypovolaemic groups (P < 0.05) but not between ventilation modes. However, when 30% of the estimated blood volume was removed (M2), dynamic parameters became significantly higher in animals under volume-controlled ventilation when compared with those under pressure-controlled ventilation. CONCLUSIONS: Under normovolaemia and moderate haemorrhage, dynamic parameters were not influenced by either ventilatory modalities. However, in the second stage of haemorrhage (30%), animals in volume-controlled ventilation presented higher values of systolic pressure variation and pulse pressure variation when compared with those submitted to pressure-controlled ventilation.

Hydroxyethyl starch is superior to lactated Ringer as a replacement fluid in a pig model of acute normovolaemic haemodilution.

BACKGROUND: Tissue tolerance to oxygen privation during acute normovolaemic haemodilution with different fluids remains unclear. We tested the hypothesis that hydroxyethyl starch (HES) is superior to lactated Ringer's solution in pigs for preserving tissue perfusion during acute normovolaemic haemodilution. METHODS: Twenty-four animals were randomized into control, lactated Ringer's solution and HES groups. All groups, except the control, underwent acute normovolaemic haemodilution. Haemodynamics, oxygen parameter indices, global anaerobic metabolic markers, echocardiographic parameters, gastric tonometry and serum osmolarity were monitored at baseline, immediately after (0 min) and 60 and 120 min after the end of haemodilution. Myocardial, liver, stomach and intestine samples were collected for further evaluation. RESULTS: Cardiac and oxygen parameter index responses to acute normovolaemic haemodilution were comparable. However, the increment in cardiac index, stroke volume index, and left ventricular stroke work index were more sustained in the starch group. In the lactated Ringer's group, gastric pH decreased significantly and was accompanied by a significant increase in lactate. Myocardial ultrastructure was better preserved in the starch group. The other tissue samples presented no change. CONCLUSIONS: In this model of ANH, the starch group had a superior haemodynamic response. Minor loss of myocardial cellular integrity and preserved gastric pHi reinforce these findings.

Características eletrocardiográficas em eqüinos clinicamente normais da raça Puro Sangue Inglês / Electrocardiographic parameters in clinically healthy Thoroughbred horses

Determinaram-se as características eletrocardiográficas de amplitude, duração, ritmo e eixo cardíaco no plano frontal de potros, sobreanos e éguas prenhes clinicamente normais, da raça Puro Sangue Inglês. Estudaram-se 50 potros e 50 sobreanos, machos e fêmeas, e 11 éguas prenhes. Concluiu-se que a freqüência cardíaca diminui com a idade e que nos potros e sobreanos as características apresentaram valores intermediários entre os valores padrão de neonatos e adultos. Nos sobreanos eles estão mais próximos dos de referência para adultos. Nas éguas em gestação a única diferença observada com o padrão foi o leve desvio para a direita do eixo cardíaco.

Intravenous administration of hypertonic sodium chloride solution with dextran or isotonic sodium chloride solution for treatment of septic shock secondary to pyometra in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To determine effects of i.v. administration of hypertonic saline (7.5% NaCl) solution with 6% dextran 70 (HSSD) or isotonic saline (0.9% NaCl) solution (ISS) to dogs with septic shock secondary to pyometra. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, clinical study. ANIMALS: 14 client-owned dogs with septic shock secondary to pyometra. PROCEDURE: Prior to emergency ovariohysterectomy, catheters were placed in pulmonary and femoral arteries of each dog to evaluate hemodynamic and oxygenation status. Immediately prior to surgery, 7 dogs received HSSD (4 ml/kg [1.82 ml/lb] of body weight, i.v.) and 7 dogs received ISS (32 ml/kg [14.54 ml/lb], i.v.) during a 5-minute period. Measurements of hemodynamic and oxygenation variables were obtained before and 5 and 20 minutes after administration of fluids. RESULTS: Mean arterial pressure (MAP) increased significantly 5 and 20 minutes after administration of HSSD, whereas ISS did not affect MAP. However, cardiac output, cardiac index, and oxygen delivery increased and hematocrit decreased after both treatments. Oxygen consumption and extraction rate and degree of acidosis did not improve after either treatment. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Intravenous administration of small volumes of HSSD to dogs with septic shock secondary to pyometra resulted in improvement of hemodynamic and oxygenation status. Although cardiac output, cardiac index, and oxygen delivery improved after administration of a volume of ISS equal to 8 times that of HSSD, MAP increased to > 80 mm Hg only after treatment with HSSD. Administration of HSSD may be an effective treatment for septic shock in dogs.

Antioxidant profile of cataractous English Cocker Spaniels.

Cataracts have been attributed to oxidative injury in proteins and lipids. Primary defenses that directly protect the lens against oxidative damage include small molecule antioxidants (vitamin C, vitamin E, glutathione and carotenoids) and antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and the glutathione enzyme systems - glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase). In humans, low plasmatic levels of vitamin C, vitamin E and carotenoids have been associated with a high risk of senile cataracts. Dogs are more prone to develop cataracts. A decrease in antioxidant defenses could be responsible for increased lens oxidation and cataract development. In this study we report the levels of erythrocytic enzymatic antioxidants (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase) and plasma vitamin C as well as malondialdehyde, in normal and cataractous English Cocker Spaniel dogs. Plasma vitamin C levels were consistently lower in cataractous dogs (20.17 &mgr;M +/- 8.2 &mgr;M) when compared with normal dogs (24.1 &mgr;M +/- 9.4 &mgr;M). These results indicate a possibly decreased synthesis in vitamin C, leading to lower aqueous humor levels of this vitamin. Considering that vitamin C levels in the aqueous humor may be responsible for lens antioxidant maintenance, and that these levels are obtained from plasma secretion through the ciliary epithelium, decreased plasma levels may indicate a decrease in the antioxidant capacity of the aqueous humor.

Ventilaçäo controlada mecânica em cavalos com o emprego de vecurônio / Controlled mechanical ventilation in horses under vecuronium blockage

O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar os efeitos metabólicos e respiratórios da administraçäo de vecurônio em cavalos submetidos a ventilaçäo controlada e compará-los áqueles que permaneceram em respiraçäo espontânea. Foram empregados vinte animais hígidos alotados em dois grupos experimentáis. Todos os animais foram pré-medicados com romifidina (100 mg/kg IV) sendo a anestesia induzida com a associaçäo de tiletamina-zolazepam (2 mg/kg IV) e a manutençäo realizada com halotano. Os animais do grupo I permaneceram em respiraçäo espontânea enquanto os animais do grupo II receberam vecurônio na dose de 0,1 mg/kg IV sendo submetidos a ventilaçäo controlada mecânica. A administraçäo do vecurônio näo promoveu qualquer alteraçäo significativa da freqüência ou ritmo cardíaco, pressäo venosa central ou pressäo arterial. No atinente aos animais que permaneceram em respiraçäo espontânea, näo houve qualquer diferença em relaçäo a estes parâmetros quando comparados aos dos animais que permaneceram em respiraçäo espontânea. Os animais que receberam o vecurônio apresentaram valores inferiores de PaCO2 subscrito, e valores normais de pH em relaçäo aos animais do grupo I. A duraçäo de açäo do vecurônio foi de 12,83 ñ 1,72 minutos. Após o término da administraçäo do halotano, os animais do grupo II retomaram à ventilaçäo espontânea em 6,09 minutos demonstrando valores de PaCO2 subscrito da ordem de 50,78 mmHg. Näo houve necessidade de reversäo farmacológica do bloqueador e a qualidade da recuperaçäo foi semelhante nos dois grupos. Frente aos resultados obtidos, pode-se concluir que o emprego de ventilaçäo controlada mecânica e vecurônio em eqüinos é factível e isenta de efeitos adversos, sendo portanto indicada nesta espécie

Estudo comparativo dos efeitos da ventilaçäo mecânica controlada (VMC) com ou sem o emprego da pressäo positiva no final da expiraçäo (PEEP) sobre a variaçäo da pressäo interpleural em anestesia eqüina / Compared study on the effects of mechanical controled ventilation (MCV) with or without the use of positive-end-expiratory-pressure (PEEP) on inter-pleural pressure variation in horse anesthesia

Uma das principais causas de mortalidade em anestesia eqüina é a grave hipoxemia, conseqüência da formaçäo de "shunt" intrapulmonar. Em seres humanos, a hipóxia é tratada com uso de pressäo positiva no final da expiraçäo (PEEP), que, nesta espécie, previne o fechamento de vias aéreas, aumenta a capacidade residual funcional e melhora a oxigenaçäo arterial. Estudamos os efeitos de PEEP sobre a variaçäo do DPpl e sua repercussäo no sistema cardiovascular, comparando ventilaçäo espontânea (VE), à ventilaçäo mecânica controlada (VMC) sem PEEP e com PEEP de 10 em H2 subscrito O. Foram utilizados 12 animais adultos de ambos os sexos que foram submetidos a anestesia geral em ventilaçäo espontânea, VMC sem e com PEEP. A técnica anestésica foi padronizada para todos os indivíduos. Os parâmetros hemodinâmicos, ventilatórios e de oxigenaçäo foram mensurados no decorrer do experimento. A análise estatística dos resultados demonstra que: näo houve queda significativa da PAM entre os diferentes tipos de ventilaçäo, nem alteraçäo significativa das freqüências respiratória e cardíaca, pH, HCO3 subscrito, BE e SatHb entre os três tipos de ventilaçäo. Notou-se aumento da PaCO2 subscrito entre VE e VMC paralelo a um aumento constante da PaCO2 subscrito. Näo foram verificadas reduçöes significativas do gradiente alvéolo-arterial, shunt e conteúdo de oxigênio. Durante a VCM e VCM com PEEP, observaram-se os valores mais baixos de "shunt". Houve alteraçöes significativas do DPpl, que diminuiu durante a VMC e VMC com PEEP. Concluímos que a VMC e VMC com PEEP de 10 cm H2 subscrito 0 näo säo deletérios ao sistema cardiopulmonar

Uso da soluçäo hipertônica de cloreto de sódio a 7.5 por cento no tratamento da hipotensäo arterial decorrente da anestesia com halotano em equinos / Treatment of halothane arterial hypotension in equines with the use of 7.5 per cent sodium chloride hypertonic solution

Soluçäo hipertônica de cloreto de sódio a 7,5 por cento tem sido utilizada no tratamento do choque hipovolêmico. Sua açäo é caracterizada pelo aumento do débito cardíaco, da pressäo arterial sistêmica e do volume plasmático. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a açäo da soluçäo hipertônica de cloreto de sódio a 7,5 por cento (4 ml/kg) no tratamento da hipotensäo arterial induzida pela anestesia geral com halotano em equinos. Foram utilizados 15 equinos adultos, de ambos os sexos e raças e pesos variados, encaminhados a processos cirúrgicos eletivos. A técnica anestésica constituiu-se da sedaçäo com detomidina, induçäo anestésica com éter gliceril guaiacol, midazolam e quetamina e manutençäo anestésica com halotano em oxigênio. Estabeleceu-se como valor mínimo para infusäo de soluçäo hipertônica de cloreto de sódio a 7,5 por cento, pressäo arterial média inferior a 60 mmHg. Foram avaliados os seguintes parâmetros: frequência e ritmo cardíacos; pressäo arterial sistólica, diastólica e média; frequência respiratória; tempo de preenchimento capilar; gases sanguíneos, pH arterial, bicarbonato plasmático; saturaçäo da oxi-hemoglobina; concentraçäo plasmática de sódio e cloreto e hematócrito. Considerou-se o tempo zero como controle e os parâmetros foram aferidos aos 5, 15, 30 e 60 minutos após a infusäo. Verificou-se aumento significativo dos valores da pressäo arterial, a qual manteve-se elevada durante o período de observaçäo. Os valores do hematócrito diminuíram significativamente demonstrando ter havido expansäo volêmica. Houve discreta hipernatremia e hipercloremia. Os demais parâmetros permaneceram inalterados. Pode-se concluir que a soluçäo hipertônica de cloreto de sódio a 7,5 por cento mostrou-se efetiva, podendo ser utilizada com segurança nos processos hipotensivos desencadeados pela anestesia geral com halotano

Avaliaçäo endoscópica das lesöes nas vias aéreas superiores decorrentes da intubaçäo endotraqueal em cäes / Endoscopic evaluation of upper airway lesions due to endotracheal intubation in dogs

Avaliou-se, por exame endoscópico sob anestesia geral, em 15 cäes, as lesöes decorrentes da intubaçäo endotraqueal nas vias aéreas superiores e na traquéia, após 90 minutos e decorridas 24 horas deste procedimento. Nos cinco animais em que o balonete da sonda foi inflado com 100 mmHg observou-se, após 90 minutos, 20 por cento de hiperemia e 80 por cento dos cäes sem lesäo; após 24 horas da extubaçäo näo se constatou nenhum tipo de lesäo nesses animais; no grupo em que foi imprimida pressäo de 150 mmHg constatou-se 20 por cento de hiperemia aos 90 minutos e nenhuma anormalidade após 24 horas; nos cinco cäes em que se inflou o balonete da sonda com pressäo aleatória, às cegas, e posteriormente medida, encontrou-se 40 por cento de heperemia, 20 por cento de hematoma, 20 por cento de ulceraçäo e 20 por cento de escoriaçäo, após 90 minutos de intubaçäo, e 40 por cento de hematoma, 40 por cento de ulceraçäo e 20 por cento de escoriaçäo, após 24 horas depois do primeiro exame endoscópico. Concluiu-se que pressöes acima de 180 mmHg, por 90 minutos, causaram lesäo persistente na traquéia, até 24 horas após a extubaçäo, e a regiäo acometida foi aquela em que se posicionou o balonete da sonda endotraqueal

Estudo laparoscópico dos órgäos abdominais do eqüino por abordagem mediana ventral / Laparoscopic study of horse abdominal viscera by ventral midline approach

O presente trabalho descreve a disposiçäo topográfica das vísceras abdominais do eqüino por via laparoscópica, com abordagem mediana ventral, em 3 diferentes vias de acesso: retroxifóide, pré-umbilical e retro-umbilical. Foram realizados 51 exames laparoscópicos, utilizando-se 17 eqüinos, sendo 11 machos e 6 fêmeas, de diferentes raças e idade variando de 18 meses a 24 anos, submetidos a jejum alimentar de 36 horas e hídrico de 12 horas. Os animais foram sedados com acepromazina e para induçäo à anestesia foram utilizados éter gliceril gauiacólico, midazolan e cloridrato de quetamina. A manutençäo da anestesia foi feita por via inalatória com halotano. Durante o procedimento os animais foram mantidos em decúbito dorsal. Com intuito de melhor observaçäo dos órgäos instaurou-se pneumoperitônio com ar ambiente. Tal abordagem permitiu a observaçäo da cúpula diafragmática, centro frênico, estômago, epíploon, lobos hepáticos, baço, ceco, vários segmentos do cólon maior, cólon menor e intestino delgado, bexiga, útero e anéis ingüinais. Näo ocorreram complicaçöes durante os períodos pré, trans e pós-operatórios, demonstrando ser um método seguro de avaliaçäo da cavidade peritoneal, vindo a ser complementar às abordagem já descritas na literatura para laparoscopia diagnóstica em eqüinos

A combination of methotrimeprazine, midazolam and guaiphenesin, with and without ketamine, in an anaesthetic procedure for horses.

A combination of 0.5 mg/kg of methotrimeprazine, 0.1 mg/kg of midazolam and 100 mg/kg of a 10 per cent guaiphenesin solution was investigated for the induction of recumbency in 15 horses; the addition of 1.6 mg/kg of ketamine was also evaluated in 15 horses and anaesthesia was maintained with halothane in oxygen. The horses became recumbent quickly and smoothly and they recovered quietly, with little ataxia. Tachycardia occurred after induction, but no other changes from pre-operative values were observed until halothane in oxygen had been given, when hypothermia, hypotension, bradypnoea, hyperoxaemia, respiratory acidosis and decreased respiratory minute volume developed. Horses given ketamine in addition to methotrimeprazine, midazolam and guaiphenesin were easier to intubate and recovered more quickly than horses receiving only methotrimeprazine, midazolam and guaiphenesin.