Tilemahos L. Anagnostou

Incisional Block With Bupivacaine for Analgesia After Celiotomy in Dogs

A blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was performed to evaluate the postoperative analgesic effect of preoperative infiltration of the incision site with bupivacaine in dogs undergoing celiotomy. Sixty dogs were randomly allocated into four groups: preoperative bupivacaine, postoperative bupivacaine, preoperative saline, and postoperative saline. All dogs were premedicated with acepromazine and meperidine; then they were anesthetized with thiopentone and isoflurane. Each group received either bupivacaine or normal saline before midline incision or just before skin closure. After surgery, pain scores were assigned using a numerical rating scale. Preoperative bupivacaine was associated with significantly lower pain scores and a significantly lower need for opioid administration. The authors conclude that a preoperative incisional block with bupivacaine seems to be a useful adjunct for controlling pain after celiotomy in dogs.

Use of the laryngeal mask airway in rabbits : placement and efficacy

The laryngeal mask airway (LMA) has been used in various animal species anesthetized for the purpose of device evaluation, but the device has not been evaluated in rabbits during surgery. The authors tested the feasibility and potential advantages of using the LMA in 50 rabbits undergoing surgery under spontaneous-breathing inhalational anesthesia, focusing mainly on the technique of insertion and its efficacy. The LMA was easily inserted and no air leakage at the larynx was detected. Although four rabbits developed lingual cyanosis, this was reversible and most likely due to lingual vascular compression by the LMA. The authors conclude that the LMA is an attractive alternative to endotracheal intubation, as the mask can be inserted easily and rapidly and its correct placement is easily confirmed.

Remifentanil/isoflurane anesthesia in five dogs with liver disease undergoing liver biopsy.

Remifentanil is a synthetic opioid with direct action on μ opioid receptors. It has an ultrashort duration of action, and its elimination is independent of hepatic or renal function. The anesthetic management of five dogs with nonuniform liver disease and requiring liver biopsy via celiotomy is described. Remifentanil and isoflurane were used for induction and maintenance of anesthesia. Intraoperative analgesia was provided by a constant rate infusion of remifentanil. Remifentanil, in combination with isoflurane, was safely and successfully used in five cases for the balanced anesthesia of dogs with hepatic diseases requiring liver biopsy via celiotomy.

Effect of endogenous progesterone and oestradiol‐17β on the incidence of gastro‐oesophageal reflux and on the barrier pressure during general anaesthesia in the female dog

OBJECTIVE To investigate the potential effect of increased blood progesterone (P4) and oestradiol-17β (E2) concentrations on the barrier pressure (BrP) and the incidence of gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) in female dogs under general anaesthesia. STUDY DESIGN Prospective, blinded experimental trial. ANIMALS Seven female, adult, healthy dogs weighing 14-21 kg and aged 1-7 years. METHODS Each of the animals was studied under the influence of high blood E2 and basal P4 (study O), basal E2 and high P4 (study P) and basal E2 and P4 (study C) concentrations. Animals were premedicated with acepromazine and anaesthesia was induced with thiopental and maintained with halothane. Lower oesophageal pH was monitored continuously for 1 hour after induction. GOR was defined as oesophageal pH >7.5 or <4. Manometry of the posterior oesophageal sphincter (POS) was then performed using the slow pull-through technique. RESULTS Acid GOR was detected in only one animal of study O. The three studies did not differ significantly in GOR. Mean BrP was 11.2 (study O), 9.1 (study P) and 11.6 mmHg (study C). No significant differences were detected with respect to mean BrP, intra-gastric pressure and POS pressure. CONCLUSIONS It is unlikely that the increased concentrations of E2 or P4 during the normal ovarian cycle influence the functional efficiency of the POS as a major barrier to GOR in healthy, female dogs under general anaesthesia. CLINICAL RELEVANCE The fact that female dogs undergoing obstetrical surgery represented a substantial sub-group of the animals which developed postoperative benign oesophageal stricture, should probably not be attributed to the effects of increased concentrations of female sex steroid hormones.OBJECTIVE To investigate the potential effect of increased blood progesterone (P(4)) and oestradiol-17beta (E(2)) concentrations on the barrier pressure (BrP) and the incidence of gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) in female dogs under general anaesthesia. STUDY DESIGN Prospective, blinded experimental trial. ANIMALS Seven female, adult, healthy dogs weighing 14-21 kg and aged 1-7 years. METHODS Each of the animals was studied under the influence of high blood E(2) and basal P(4) (study O), basal E(2) and high P(4) (study P) and basal E(2) and P(4) (study C) concentrations. Animals were premedicated with acepromazine and anaesthesia was induced with thiopental and maintained with halothane. Lower oesophageal pH was monitored continuously for 1 hour after induction. GOR was defined as oesophageal pH >7.5 or <4. Manometry of the posterior oesophageal sphincter (POS) was then performed using the slow pull-through technique. RESULTS Acid GOR was detected in only one animal of study O. The three studies did not differ significantly in GOR. Mean BrP was 11.2 (study O), 9.1 (study P) and 11.6 mmHg (study C). No significant differences were detected with respect to mean BrP, intra-gastric pressure and POS pressure. CONCLUSIONS It is unlikely that the increased concentrations of E(2) or P(4) during the normal ovarian cycle influence the functional efficiency of the POS as a major barrier to GOR in healthy, female dogs under general anaesthesia. CLINICAL RELEVANCE The fact that female dogs undergoing obstetrical surgery represented a substantial sub-group of the animals which developed postoperative benign oesophageal stricture, should probably not be attributed to the effects of increased concentrations of female sex steroid hormones.

Anesthesia and Perioperative Management of a Pneumonectomized Dog

Although left- or right-sided pneumonectomy is tolerated by normal dogs, complications impacting the respiratory, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal systems are not uncommon. Pneumonectomy in dogs results in secondary changes in the remaining lung, which include: decreased compliance and vital capacity; and increased pulmonary vascular resistance potentially leading to right ventricular hypertrophy. Such alterations make the anesthetic management of an animal with one lung particularly challenging. This report describes a dog with a history of left pneumonectomy due to Aspergillus fumigatus pneumonia 3 yr before presentation. The dog presented with a vaginal wall prolapse, and surgical resection of the protruding vaginal wall, ovariectomy, and prophylactic gastropexy were performed. Anesthesia was induced with midazolam, fentanyl, and propofol and was maintained with isoflurane using intermittent positive pressure ventilation and a constant rate infusion of fentanyl. Epidural anesthesia was also used. Recovery and postoperative management were uncomplicated. Intensive hemodynamic and respiratory monitoring and appropriate response and treatment of any detected abnormalities, taking into consideration the pathophysiologic alterations occurring in a pneumonectomized animal, are required for successful perianesthetic management.

Naturally Occurring Isohexenylnaphthazarins and Wound Healing: Experimental Study in Dogs

Background: The healing efficacy of isohexenylnaphthazarins (IHN) has been well proved on chronic or contaminated wounds. Objective: To evaluate the wound healing activity of an experimental ointment containing IHN on acute and noncontaminated wounds in dogs. Methods: In each of six beagle dogs, four full-thickness skin defects were created bilaterally: one 2 × 2 cm defect on the lateral aspect of each arm for subjective evaluation, laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF), and planimetry and three 1.5 × 1.5 cm defects on opposite sides of the dorsal midline for histologic evaluation. Wounds on the left were treated with an ointment based on IHN and on the right with another based on petroleum jelly (Vaseline) and beeswax. Results: Wound size decreased significantly in both sides. The significantly increased percentage of epithelialization was higher (p = .0274) in the petroleum jelly–treated wounds on day 20. Tissue perfusion (LDF) increased significantly bilaterally in the center of the wound but only in the IHN-treated side cranial to the wound. Histologically, angiogenesis was significantly higher (p = .0431) on day 5 in the IHN-treated wounds compared with the petroleum jelly–treated wounds. Collagen production increased significantly bilaterally. Conclusion: The IHN-based ointment promoted some of the proliferative processes, but it did not enhance the overall wound healing of acute, surgically created wounds in dogs.

Dopamine-induced bradycardia in two dogs under isoflurane anaesthesia

Dopamine is a commonly used positive inotropic agent for the treatment of hypotension in small animals. Two dogs that had undergone surgery, under isoflurane anaesthesia, developed a sudden and profound bradycardia when a dopamine infusion was administered. Bradycardia was attributed to the activation of the Bezold-Jarisch reflex, an inhibitory reflex, characterised by bradycardia and hypotension.

Whole-genome sequencing of a CTX-M-11-encoding and quinolone-non-susceptible Klebsiella pneumoniae ST194 isolate from a hospitalised dog in Greece

OBJECTIVES The emergence and spread of transferable β-lactamases among Enterobacteriaceae is a major problem both to human and veterinary medicine and is an important contributing factor to the development of multidrug-resistant bacterial isolates. In the present study, whole-genome sequencing of a Klebsiella pneumoniae isolate (LKP817909) resistant to first- and second-generation cephalosporins and non-susceptible to fluoroquinolones, isolated from a urine sample of a hospitalised dog, was performed. METHODS Genome sequencing was performed on an Illumina MiniSeq Sequencing System. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) was performed using a BLAST-based approach, whereas antimicrobial resistance genes and plasmid replicons were identified by ResFinder and PlasmidFinder, respectively. The Rapid Annotation using Subsystem Technology (RAST) server v.2.0 was used for genome annotation. RESULTS Data analyses revealed the complete resistome of isolate LKP817909, which included the cefotaximase-München-11 (CTX-M-11) extended-spectrum β-lactamase together with 11 other resistance genes. Ten resistance genes were located on plasmids and two on the chromosome. CONCLUSIONS To the best of our knowledge, this is the first detection of a CTX-M-11-producing K. pneumoniae isolated from a canine. The whole genome sequence of the isolate has been deposited at GenBank to serve as a future reference.

ANESTHETIC MANAGEMENT OF A 4-MONTH-OLD RED FOX (VULPES VULPES) FOR ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY

Abstract:  A 4-mo-old red fox (Vulpes vulpes) was found recumbent after a vehicular accident. Radiology revealed several limb fractures and the fox underwent surgery after 24 hr of initial stabilization. Premedication consisted of dexmedetomidine and morphine. Anesthesia was induced with ketamine and midazolam and maintained with isoflurane. Lidocaine, bupivacaine, and morphine were administered epidurally and further analgesia was provided with meloxicam. The heart rate and respiratory rate of the fox remained stable during surgery and, except for a mild hypothermia, the recovery from anesthesia was uneventful. The postoperative pain scores were low and the animal was transported to a rehabilitation facility and eventually released to the wild. The low pain scores postoperatively should be attributed to the successful application of epidural anesthesia and analgesia.