Effects of propofol alone or in combination with ketamine on intraocular pressure in unpremedicated dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of propofol (P) alone and in combination with ketamine (KP) at ratios of 1:1, 1:2, and 1:3 on intraocular pressure (IOP) in unpremedicated dogs. ANIMALS STUDIED: A total of 28 cross-bred healthy dogs. PROCEDURES: Dogs were randomly assigned to one of four groups (n = 7 per group) to receive intravenous P or KP at 1:1, 1:2, and 1:3 ratios, respectively. The infusion was administered at 0.6 mg/kg/min for 60 min. IOP, cardiorespiratory variables, rectal temperature (RT), and pedal reflex were recorded every 5 min for 60 min, starting from baseline (BL). RESULTS: There was a statistically significant increase in IOP in all groups: P (p = .011), KP 1:1 (p = .003), KP 1:2 (p = .023), and KP 1:3 (p = .008). The IOP increase was less pronounced in the KP 1:2 group and was only significant (p = .023) at T45 compared with BL. A significant correlation was observed between IOP and SpO2 in P (r = -.215, p = .02), KP 1:2 (r = -.579, p < .01), and KP 1:3 (r = -.402, p < .01) groups. IOP significantly increased due to decreased SpO2 below 86.5% (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Propofol alone and in combination with ketamine may increase preexisting IOP in unpremedicated dogs. SpO2 levels below 86.5% may trigger an increase in IOP. Administering KP in a 1:2 ratio at an infusion rate of 0.6 mg/kg/min does not significantly alter IOP for under 45 min in unpremedicated dogs with sufficient oxygenation.

Comparison of spermatic cord ligation and the vas plexus ligation in canine orchiectomy: A prospective clinical study.

BACKGROUND: Orchiectomy with a vas deferens to pampiniform plexus ligation (VPL) is a novel method, and it is unclear how its short-term outcomes compare with the results of a conventional method, spermatic cord ligation (SCL). OBJECTIVE: To compare the short-term outcomes of SCL and VPL on inflammation, surgery time, bleeding, pain and surgeon satisfaction during canine open orchiectomy. METHODS: Thirty male crossbred dogs undergoing open orchiectomy were enrolled the study. Dogs were randomly allocated to one of the SCL or VPL groups, with 15 patients in each. In the SCL group, the spermatic cord was ligated using absorbable sutures. The vas deferens, and pampiniform plexus self-tying were performed in the VPL group. Surgery time, bleeding and surgeon satisfaction scores were recorded. Inflammation at the surgical site was assessed using infrared thermal camera over three days, and pain associated with inflammation was scored on the third day. RESULTS: On Day 3, the average temperature in the SCL group was significantly higher than that of the VPL group, with a mean difference of 4.63°C (95% CI: 2.34-6.93, p < 0.001). Moreover, the surgery time in the VPL group was significantly longer compared to the SCL group, with a mean difference of 1.7 min (95% CI: 0.28-3.11, p = 0.021). The bleeding score was also significantly higher in the VPL group (p = 0.012). On the other hand, surgeon satisfaction and pain scores were not significantly different between groups. CONCLUSION: Both SCL and VPL methods are safe and effective for orchiectomy in dogs. VPL is comparable in efficacy and safety and has the additional benefit of less inflammation.

Sedative and cardiopulmonary effects of intranasal butorphanol with midazolam or dexmedetomidine in New Zealand white rabbits.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to compare the sedative and cardiopulmonary effects of intranasal (IN) administration of dexmedetomidine-butorphanol (DB) and midazolam-butorphanol (MB) combinations in New Zealand white rabbits. METHODS: Eight New Zealand white rabbits were sedated by IN administration of a combination of 0.1 mg/kg dexmedetomidine and 0.4 mg/kg butorphanol (DB treatment) and 2 mg/kg midazolam and 0.4 mg/kg butorphanol (MB treatment). The electrocardiogram, pulse rate (PR), respiratory frequency (fR ), arterial haemoglobin oxygen saturation (SpO2 ), fraction of expired carbon dioxide (EtCO2 ), rectal temperature (RT), noninvasive mean arterial pressure (MAP), noninvasive systolic arterial pressure (SAP) and diastolic arterial pressure (DAP) were recorded. The onset of sedation, duration of sedation and sedation score (SS) were also noted. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the EtCO2 , RT, MAP, SAP and DAP measurements between treatments. The PR significantly decreased in DB compared with MB over time (p = 0.001). Compared with baseline, SpO2 decreased over time in both treatments. The SS was significantly elevated over time in DB compared with MB (p = 0.002). LIMITATIONS: No pharmacokinetic information was available for either treatment, so the findings should be interpreted cautiously. CONCLUSIONS: IN DB provides more effective sedation than MB, but cardiopulmonary impairment was observed in both treatments.

Two different smartwatches exhibit high accuracy in evaluating heart rate and peripheral oxygen saturation in cats when compared with the electrocardiography and transmittance pulse oximetry.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the accuracy for 2 smartwatches with oximetry technology and optical wrist heart rate (HR) or single-lead Electrocardiography (ECG) technology (Fenix 5X Plus [GF5xp], Garmin Ltd and Apple Watch 6 [AppW6], Apple Inc, respectively) versus reference methods (ECG and transmittance pulse oximetry [TPO], respectively) in measuring HR and peripheral oxygen saturation of hemoglobin (SpO2) in cats. ANIMALS: 10 male client-owned cats aged 8 to 12 months and weighing 3.2 to 4.5 kg. PROCEDURES: All cats that were presented for elective castration at the Atatürk University Animal Hospital between March 10 and April 15, 2022, were considered for enrollment. Monitoring of HR and SpO2 during anesthesia was performed with a 3-lead ECG and transmittance pulse oximetry, respectively, connected to a multiparameter monitor (reference methods) along with a GF5xp and a AppW6. Agreement between reference methods and the smartwatches were assessed by the Bland-Altman plot, in which the differences (%) between methods were plotted against their mean HR or SpO2 (reference method measurement - test device measurement) and the limits of agreement (mean ± 1.96 × SD). RESULTS: Compared with ECG measurements of HR, GF5xp had superior bias (-0.1%) and limit of agreement (LoA, 3.0 to -3.3%) versus those of the AppW6 (bias, 0.2%; LoA, 3.7 to -3.4%). Compared with TPO measurements of SpO2, AppW6 had superior bias (0.2%) and LoA (3.0% and -2.5%) versus those of the GF5xp (bias, -2.1%; LoA, 0.2 to -4.4%). CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results indicated that the GF5xp and AppW6 exhibited high accuracy in evaluating HR and SpO2 in cats when compared with the reference methods. However, it should be noted that these comparisons were made in anesthetized patients without any systemic disease.

Comparison of intratesticular and intramuscular administration of zolazepam-tiletamine combination on sedation, induction, and recovery qualities and vital variables in cats undergoing castration: a prospective, randomized, clinical study.

This study was aimed to compare the effects of intratesticular (IT) and intramuscular (IM) administration of the zolazepam-tiletamine (ZT) combination on sedation, induction, and recovery qualities and vital variables in cats undergoing castration. Fourteen clinically client-owned healthy cats were randomly assigned to receive 10 mg/kg ZT by either IT or IM routes. Temperament score, injection reaction score, induction time, intubation time, surgical length, anesthesia time, recovery time, and full recovery time were evaluated. Sedation score, heart rate (HR), respiratory frequency (fR), peripheral hemoglobin oxygen saturation (SpO2), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and rectal temperature (RT) variables were assessed at baseline (T0), T5, T10, T15, and T30. Median temperament score and injection reaction score were not different between groups. Induction time was significantly (p = 0.0244) shorter for the IT group (142.6 ± 29.9) than IM (290 ± 48.7 seconds). Length of anesthesia was longer in the IM group (median 290; ranged 120-540 minutes) than the IT group (median 140; ranged 98-180 minutes) (p = 0.0279). Time to standing and time to full recovery were significantly shorter in IT than IM. A recovery quality score did not significantly differ between groups (p = 0.2268). No statistically significant differences were detected between IT and IM administration regarding sedation score, HR, SpO2, MAP, and RT. The IT administration of 10 mg/kg ZT induces shorter onset of sedation and recovery time than IM administration, thereby it can be suggested for cats undergoing castration. Both administration routes produce effective sedation with limited physiological changes in anesthesia variables.

Accuracy of Heart Rate Measurements of Three Smartwatch Models in Dogs.

This study was aimed to evaluate the accuracy of heart rate (HR) measurements using 3 smartwatch models designed for human use when applied to dogs. A group of 15 mixed breed dogs, ages ranging from 2 to 3 years, weighing between 20 and 30 kg were used. The Garmin Fenix 5X plus (GF5Xp), Samsung Gear S3 (SGS3), and Polygold A-6 (PDA6), were randomly placed on the tibia of dogs to collect the HR recordings every 5 minutes for 1 hour. A veterinary patient monitor (VPM) was used as the reference method. A Bland-Altman plot was applied to determine the difference between smartwatches. The receiver operating characteristic curves were developed analysis for sensitivity and specificity. The HR measured by VPM ranged from 65 to 200 bpm (mean, 149.3 ± 28.1 bpm; median, 154 bpm). Among the smartwatches, the lowest (44 bpm) HR was measured by PDA6, while the highest (201 bpm) was measured by SGS3. Among the smartwatches; GF5Xp and SGS3 had slopes equal to 1 and residual standard deviation closer to 0, in agreement with VPM. At the cut-off HR (160 bpm), SGS3 had the highest sensitivity (97.4%), whereas PDA6 had the lowest sensitivity (68.0%). The specificity of GF5Xp, SGS3, and PDA6 was 97.1%, 98.0%, and 98.0%, respectively. The SGS3 and GF5Xp can be ideal tools for veterinarians to monitor the HR of dogs without requiring an additional device.