Ice therapy: cool, current and complicated.

This is the fourth Capsule review article provided by the WSAVA Global Pain Council and which discusses the use of ice or cold therapy as a non-pharmacologic modality for pain control in small animal practice. The physiological effects of cold therapy on tissues, receptors and ion channels are discussed; as well as indications, recommendations for, and limitations of use.

Intraperitoneal and incisional analgesia in small animals: simple, cost-effective techniques.

The World Small Animal Veterinary Association Global Pain Council (WSAVA-GPC) has recently published its first "capsule review" by Monteiro et al. These are short articles that present a brief assessment of the scientific evidence and practical recommendations on important, and sometimes controversial, subjects in pain management. The capsules will be published regularly in the Journal of Small Animal Practice, the official journal of the WSAVA. This second article discusses the use of intraperitoneal and incisional analgesia in small animal practice, including their limitations and recommendations by the authors.

Long-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in cats with chronic kidney disease: from controversy to optimism.

This is the first of a series of capsule reviews published by the World Small Animal Veterinary Association - Global Pain Council (WSAVA-GPC). Each of these short articles provides a brisk assessment of the scientific evidence in specific aspects of pain management, including analgesic techniques, recommendations and controversies surrounding their use. In this first capsule review, the scientific evidence available on the long-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in cats with concomitant chronic pain and chronic kidney disease is discussed.

Stereoselective pharmacokinetics of ketamine and norketamine after racemic ketamine or S-ketamine administration during isoflurane anaesthesia in Shetland ponies.

BACKGROUND: The arterial pharmacokinetics of ketamine and norketamine enantiomers after racemic ketamine or S-ketamine i.v. administration were evaluated in seven gelding ponies in a crossover study (2-month interval). METHODS: Anaesthesia was induced with isoflurane in oxygen via a face-mask and then maintained at each pony's individual MAC. Racemic ketamine (2.2 mg kg(-1)) or S-ketamine (1.1 mg kg(-1)) was injected in the right jugular vein. Blood samples were collected from the right carotid artery before and at 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, and 128 min after ketamine administration. Ketamine and norketamine enantiomer plasma concentrations were determined by capillary electrophoresis. Individual R-ketamine and S-ketamine concentration vs time curves were analysed by non-linear least square regression two-compartment model analysis using PCNonlin. Plasma disposition curves for R-norketamine and S-norketamine were described by estimating AUC, C(max), and T(max). Pulse rate (PR), respiratory rate (R(f)), tidal volume (V(T)), minute volume ventilation (V(E)), end-tidal partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PE'(CO(2))), and mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) were also evaluated. RESULTS: The pharmacokinetic parameters of S- and R-ketamine administered in the racemic mixture or S-ketamine administered separately did not differ significantly. Statistically significant higher AUC and C(max) were found for S-norketamine compared with R-norketamine in the racemic group. Overall, R(f), V(E), PE'(CO(2)), and MAP were significantly higher in the racemic group, whereas PR was higher in the S-ketamine group. CONCLUSIONS: Norketamine enantiomers showed different pharmacokinetic profiles after single i.v. administration of racemic ketamine in ponies anaesthetised with isoflurane in oxygen (1 MAC). Cardiopulmonary variables require further investigation.

Prolonged recovery and respiratory depression after fentanyl infusion in a sheep undergoing mitral valve reconstruction.

A sheep was anaesthetized for implantation of a novel device (MitroFast) to replace the posterior leaflet of the mitral valve. Anaesthetic management included a balanced anaesthetic protocol and consisted of propofol or isoflurane combined with fentanyl infusion (0.15-0.4 microg/kg/min). Deliberate hypothermia during cardiopulmonary bypass was set at 34.5-35.5 degrees C. Surgery proceeded uneventfully. Total time of aortic cross-clamping was 35 min and total time on extracorporeal circulation was 60 min. Visual inspection, intracardiac pressure testing and transesophageal echocardiography indicated proper functioning of the device. The anaesthetic period was uneventful, but recovery was prolonged with central nervous and respiratory depression and marked hypoxaemia. Administration of naloxone (1.5 microg/kg, repeated twice at 15-20 min intervals) reversed the central nervous and attenuated the respiratory depressions. An initially low rate of urine production normalized after rewarming and a single intravenous administration of furosemide.