Glenda Ramalho Barbudo-Selmi

Clinical use of dexmedetomidine as premedicant in cats undergoing propofol–sevoflurane anaesthesia

The purpose of this report was to evaluate the cardiorespiratory effects and efficacy of dexmedetomidine as a premedicant agent in cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy anaesthetized with propofol–sevoflurane. Cats were randomly divided into two groups of eight animals each. Dexmedetomidine (0.01 mg/kg) or 0.9% saline was administered intravenously (D and S, respectively). After 5 min, propofol was administered intravenously and anaesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane. Heart and respiratory rates, arterial blood pressure, oxygen saturation, rectal temperature and the amount of propofol needed for induction were measured. Premedication with dexmedetomidine reduced the requirement of propofol (6.7±3.8 mg/kg), but induced bradycardia, compared with the administration of saline (15.1±5.1 mg/kg). Recovery quality was significantly better in D but no significant difference in time to return of swallowing reflex was observed between groups (D=2.5±0.5 min;S=3.2±1.8 min). In conclusion, dexmedetomidine is a safe and effective agent for premedication in cats undergoing propofol–sevoflurane anaesthesia with minimal adverse effects.

O butorfanol na anestesia pela romifidina-tiletamina-zolazepam em gatos

The effect of butorphanol was investigated in six adult cats anesthetized with romifidine-tiletamine-zolazepam. Cats were given romifidine (40µg.kg-1) tiletamine (7mg.kg-1) and zolazepam (7mg.kg-1) (RTZ) intramuscularly, or RTZ and butorphanol (0.2mg.kg-1) (RTZB). Heart rate, respiratory rate, oscillometric systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and mean blood pressure, oxihemoglobin saturation and rectal temperature were determined for 120 minutes and compared to baseline values. Anesthetic effects were evaluated using a score system. Time of induction, anesthesia and recovery were also determined for comparison. Induction time and anesthetic time were significantly longer in RTZB. In the RTZB group a significant decrease in respiratory rate was observed while in the RTZ group this was transitory. Heart rate did not change in the RTZ group until 60 minutes and decreased significantly in the RTZB group from the time of injection. It is concluded that RTZ is an effective anesthetic combination with minimal cardiovascular side effects and that addition of butorphanol to this combination prolongs the anesthetic time and induces analgesia for a longer period, but causes a decrease in heart and respiratory rate in cats.

Periodontal disease characterization in dogs with normal renal function or chronic renal failure

The purpose of this study was to evaluate periodontal disease (PD) in dogs with chronic renal failure (CRF) and to compare it to PD in dogs with normal renal function (NRF). Twelve dogs with CRF and 24 dogs with NRF, all presenting dental pocket formation, were compared. In all dogs, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, urine specific gravity and total red and white blood cells were determined. A complete oral examination was also performed including evaluation of bacterial plaque, gingivitis, gingival recession, pocket, calculus, dental mobility, dental loss, and ulcers. These data were used to calculate plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI) and periodontal destruction index (PDI). PD was graded as mild, moderate or severe based on the results. Mild, moderate or severe PD was observed in dogs with NRF, whereas dogs with CRF presented either mild or severe PD. Dogs with NRF showed higher involvement of the maxillary teeth, whereas dogs with CRF showed a higher involvement of the mandibular teeth. Plaque index was significantly higher in dogs with NRF. It was concluded that lesion distribution and periodontal disease progression may be altered in dogs with CRF, and gingival inflammatory response differs in dogs with NRF and CRF regarding to the stage of periodontal disease.

Centro instantâneo de movimento, na avaliação ex-vivo da reconstrução extra-articular fabelo-tibial, após transecção do ligamento cruzado cranial em cães

This study evaluated the effect of two suture materials, stainless steel wire and polypropylene, on the stifle joint biomechanics by means of analysis of the instantaneous center of motion after stabilization of cranial cruciate ligament-deficient stifle with the fabelo-tibial suture technique. The instantaneous center of motion and resulting velocity vectors were determined by radiographic examination of the stifle joint in twelve dogs before and after cranial cruciate ligament transection, and after joint stabilization. All the stifles showed normally positioned instantaneous centers of motion and velocity vectors before cranial cruciate ligament transection. Eleven joints had abnormally positioned velocity vectors after transection of the cranial cruciate ligament. After joint stabilization, four joints in the stainless steel wire suture group continued showing abnormal velocity vectors, while all stifles joints in the polypropylene group had normal positioned velocity vectors. The polypropylene suture is more adequate for extra-articular stabilization as it maintains the normal joint biomechanics.