Intranasal oxygen reverses hypoxaemia in immobilised free-ranging capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris)

Capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) is the main host of tick-borne pathogens causing Brazilian spotted fever; therefore, controlling its population is essential, and this may require chemical restraint. We assessed the impact of chemical restraint protocols on the partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO2) and other blood variables in 36 capybaras and the effect of different flows of nasal oxygen (O2) supplementation. The capybaras were hand-injected with dexmedetomidine (5 μg/kg) and midazolam (0.1 mg/kg) and butorphanol (0.2 mg/kg) (DMB, n = 18) or methadone (0.1 mg/kg) (DMM, n = 18). One-third of the animals were maintained in ambient air throughout the procedure, and one-third were administered intranasal 2 L/min O2 after 30 min whereas the other third were administered 5 L/min O2. Arterial blood gases, acid-base status, and electrolytes were assessed 30 and 60 min after drug injection. The DMB and DMM groups did not vary based on any of the evaluated variables. All animals developed hypoxaemia (PaO2 44 [30; 73] mmHg, SaO2 81 [62; 93] %) 30 min before O2 supplementation. Intranasal O2 at 2 L/min improved PaO2 (63 [49; 97] mmHg and SaO2 [92 [85; 98] %), but 9 of 12 capybaras remained hypoxaemic. A higher O2 flow of 5 L/min was efficient in treating hypoxaemia (PaO2 188 [146; 414] mmHg, SaO2 100 [99; 100] %) in all the 12 animals that received it. Both drug protocols induced hypoxaemia, which could be treated with intranasal oxygen supplementation

Physiological and analgesic effects of continuous-rate infusion of morphine, butorphanol, tramadol or methadone in horses with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced carpal synovitis

Abstract\ud \ud Background\ud Continuous-rate infusion (CRI) of drugs results in more stable plasma drug concentrations than administration of intermittent boluses, thus providing greater stability of physiological parameters. The aim of this study was to evaluate the physiologic and analgesic effects of the administration of morphine, butorphanol, tramadol or methadone by CRI in horses with induced synovitis of the radiocarpal joint.\ud \ud \ud Results\ud Increased values of cardiorespiratory parameters and body temperature were observed in all groups after initiation of opioid administration, and these increases were sustained throughout the CRI period. Morphine, butorphanol and methadone each caused a reduction in gut sounds, and this effect was greatest in animals that received morphine. Administration of morphine or methadone reduced the degree of lameness after the end of intravenous infusion. Administration of tramadol did not alter the degree of lameness in the animals.\ud \ud \ud Conclusions\ud CRI of morphine or methadone, but not butorphanol or tramadol, provided analgesia in horses with carpal synovitis. All of these opioids increased cardiovascular and respiratory parameters and reduced gut sounds during CRI.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP

Acid-base and biochemical stabilization and quality of recovery in male cats with urethral obstruction and anesthetized with propofol or a combination of ketamine and diazepam

This study compared acid-base and biochemical changes and quality of recovery in male cats with experimentally induced urethral obstruction and anesthetized with either propofol or a combination of ketamine and diazepam for urethral catheterization. Ten male cats with urethral obstruction were enrolled for urethral catheterization and anesthetized with either ketamine-diazepam (KD) or propofol (P). Lactated Ringer's solution was administered by intravenous (IV) beginning 15 min before and continuing for 48 h after relief of urethral obstruction. Quality of recovery and time to standing were evaluated. The urethral catheter was maintained to measure urinary output. Hematocrit (Hct), total plasma protein (TPP), albumin, total protein (TP), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, pH, bicarbonate (HCO3-), chloride, base excess, anion gap, sodium, potassium, and partial pressure of carbon dioxide in mixed venous blood (pvCO(2)) were measured before urethral obstruction, at start of fluid therapy (0 h), and at subsequent intervals. The quality of recovery and time to standing were respectively 4 and 75 min in the KD group and 5 and 16 min in the P group. The blood urea nitrogen values were increased at 0, 2, and 8 h in both groups. Serum creatinine increased at 0 and 2 h in cats administered KD and at 0, 2, and 8 h in cats receiving P, although the values were above the reference range in both groups until 8 h. Acidosis occurred for up to 2 h in both groups. Acid-base and biochemical stabilization were similar in cats anesthetized with propofol or with ketamine-diazepam. Cats that received propofol recovered much faster, but the ketamine-diazepam combination was shown to be more advantageous when treating uncooperative cats as it can be administered by intramuscular (IM) injection.Cette étude visait à comparer les changements biochimiques et acide-base ainsi que la qualité de la convalescence chez des chats mâles avec une\ud obstruction urétrale induite expérimentalement et anesthésiés avec soit du propofol ou une combinaison de kétamine et diazépam pour une\ud cathétérisation urétrale. Dix chats mâles avec une obstruction urétrale ont été recrutés pour cathétérisation urétrale et anesthésiés avec soit\ud une combinaison kétamine-diazépam (KD) ou du propofol (P). Une solution de lactate de Ringer a été administrée par voie intraveineuse (IV)\ud débutant 15 min avant et continuant 48 h après l’élimination de l’obstruction urétrale. La qualité de la convalescence et le délai avant de se\ud tenir debout ont été évalués. Le cathéter urinaire était laissé en place pour mesurer l’excrétion urinaire. Les valeurs des paramètres suivants\ud ont été mesurées avant l’obstruction urétrale, au début de la fluidothérapie (0 h) et à des intervalles subséquents : hématocrite (Hct), protéines\ud plasmatiques totales (TPP), albumine, protéines totales (TP), azotémie (BUN), créatinine, pH, bicarbonate (HCO3\ud 2), chlorure, excès de base,\ud trou anionique, sodium, potassium, pression partielle de dioxide de carbone dans le sang veineux (pvCO2). La qualité de la convalescence et\ud le temps avant de se tenir debout étaient respectivement de 4 et 75 minutes dans le groupe KD et de 5 et 16 minutes dans le groupe P. Les\ud valeurs de BUN étaient augmentées à 0, 2 et 8 h dans les deux groupes. La créatinine sérique augmenta à 0 et 2 h chez les chats recevant KD\ud et à 0, 2 et 8 h chez les chats recevant P, bien que les valeurs étaient supérieures à l’écart de référence dans les deux groupes jusqu’à 8 h. Une\ud acidose s’est produite pendant 2 h dans les deux groupes. L’équilibre acide-base et la stabilisation biochimique étaient similaires chez les chats\ud anesthésiés avec du propofol ou avec KD. Les chats qui ont reçu du propofol ont récupéré beaucoup plus rapidement, mais la combinaison KD\ud s’est avérée plus avantageuse pour traiter des chats non-coopératifs étant donné la possibilité d’administration par voie intra-musculaire

Sedative and cardiopulmonary effects of buprenorphine and xylazine in horses

This study investigated the sedative, cardiopulmonary, and gastrointestinal effects produced by buprenorphine and xylazine given in combination to horses. Six healthy adult horses underwent 4 randomized treatments, with an interval of 1 wk between treatments. A control group was given a saline solution intravenously (IV) and the experimental groups received buprenorphine [10 mu g/kg bodyweight (BW)] in combination with 1 of 3 different doses of xylazine: 0.25 mg/kg BW (BX25), 0.50 mg/kg BW (BX50), or 0.75 mg/kg BW (BX75), all of them by IV. Cardiopulmonary parameters were evaluated for 120 min after the drugs were administered and intestinal motility was observed for 12 h after treatment. Sedation was found to be dose-dependent in all groups receiving buprenorphine and xylazine and it was observed that the heart rate decreased in the first 5 min and increased at the end of the sedation period. Arterial blood gas tension analyses showed minimal alterations during the experiment. Gastrointestinal hypomotility was observed for up to 8 h. The combination of buprenorphine and 0.50 mg/kg BW of xylazine (BX50) provided a 30-minute period of sedation without intense ataxia and maintained cardiopulmonary parameters within acceptable limits for the species

Physiological and analgesic effects of continuous-rate infusion of morphine, butorphanol, tramadol or methadone in horses with lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced carpal synovitis

Abstract Background Continuous-rate infusion (CRI) of drugs results in more stable plasma drug concentrations than administration of intermittent boluses, thus providing greater stability of physiological parameters. The aim of this study was to evaluate the physiologic and analgesic effects of the administration of morphine, butorphanol, tramadol or methadone by CRI in horses with induced synovitis of the radiocarpal joint. Results Increased values of cardiorespiratory parameters and body temperature were observed in all groups after initiation of opioid administration, and these increases were sustained throughout the CRI period. Morphine, butorphanol and methadone each caused a reduction in gut sounds, and this effect was greatest in animals that received morphine. Administration of morphine or methadone reduced the degree of lameness after the end of intravenous infusion. Administration of tramadol did not alter the degree of lameness in the animals. Conclusions CRI of morphine or methadone, but not butorphanol or tramadol, provided analgesia in horses with carpal synovitis. All of these opioids increased cardiovascular and respiratory parameters and reduced gut sounds during CRI

Cardiopulmonary effects of buprenorphine in horses

Objective - To investigate the effects of buprenorphine on cardiopulmonary variables and on abdominal auscultation scores in horses. Animals - 6 healthy adult horses. Procedures - Horses were restrained in stocks and allocated to 2 treatments in a randomized crossover design, with 1-week intervals between each treatment. Saline (0.9% NaCl) solution was administered IV as a control, whereas buprenorphine (10 μg/kg, IV) was administered to the experimental group. Cardiopulmonary data were collected for 120 minutes after buprenorphine or saline solution administration. Abdominal auscultation scores were monitored for 2 and 12 hours after drug administration in the control and experimental groups, respectively. Results - Following control treatment, horses remained calm while restrained in the stocks and no significant changes in cardiopulmonary variables were observed throughout the study. Buprenorphine administration caused excitatory phenomena (restlessness and head shaking). Heart rate, cardiac index, and arterial blood pressure were significantly increased after buprenorphine administration until the end of the observational period (120 minutes). Minimal changes were found in arterial blood gas tensions. Abdominal auscultation scores decreased significantly from baseline for 4 hours after buprenorphine administration. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance - Buprenorphine induced excitement and hemodynamic stimulation with minimal changes in arterial blood gas tensions. These effects may impact the clinical use of buprenorphine in horses. Further studies are indicated to investigate the effects of buprenorphine on gastrointestinal motility and fecal output

Azaperone and xylazine: A pharmacological combination to facilitate captive deer management for red brocket deer (Mazama americana).

The care and management of deer in captivity is challenging, especially in the case of red brocket deer (Mazama americana), whose routine management using physical restraint is difficult. Our study evaluated the effects of azaperone and xylazine combination for immobilizing red brocket deer and allow for the standard capture and handling protocols (e.g., biological material, horn cutting, and trimming) to be conducted safely. Six adult, captive, red brocket deer received an intramuscular injection of either 1 mg/kg azaperone and 0.5 mg/kg xylazine (AX0.5) or 1 mg/kg azaperone and 1 mg/kg xylazine (AX1.0). Sedation latency, sternal recumbency, safe handling, and quality of the sedation were evaluated to provide an overview of how the immobilizing drugs affected managing the species in captivity. Additionally, heart rate, respiratory rate, mean arterial pressure, rectal temperature, pH, PaO2, PaCO2, SaO2, HCO3-, BE, Na+, K+ and serum lactate were also measured. The latency period of the animals in the AX0.5 group was greater than that of the animals in the AX1.0 group (7 ± 6.6 min vs. 5 ± 2.0 min), as was the time for them to assume sternal recumbency (12 ± 9.7 min vs. 6 ± 3.1 min). However, the time after the initial dose at which the animals could safely be handled (14 ± 4.5 min vs. 12 ± 5.2 min), and the time until the end of the safe handling period (75 ± 12.3 min vs. 85 ± 6.8 min) were similar for both groups. Animals in both groups showed physiological stability during all evaluations, but hypoxemia was observed in one animal in each group. We conclude that both drug combinations are safe and effective at sedating red brocket deer in captivity and suggest that the procedure be performed with oxygen supplementation to reduce the potential for hypoxia