Effects of intratesticular vs intraepididymal calcium chloride sterilant on testicular morphology and fertility in dogs.

Abstract Background Both stray and free-roaming owned dogs contribute to the serious global dog overpopulation problem. Many dog owners are unwilling to have their pet castrated for various reasons, including a reluctance to have their dog's behavior changed. A non-surgical method of sterilizing both stray and owned dogs would help to prevent unwanted litters. Previous studies have shown that intratesticular injection of calcium chloride dihydrate (CaCl2) in alcohol is a promising and cost-effective alternative to surgery for stray dogs, with testosterone significantly decreased and sexual activity eliminated. The aim of this study was to compare the use of a solution of 20% CaCl2 in 95% ethanol injected into the testicles or into the head of the epididymis. Methods A total of 148 dogs divided into 4 groups (2 experimental and 2 control) were respectively injected with CaCl2 or saline solution into the testicle or epididymal head (ultrasound-guided). The animals were examined at 0, 3, 6, and 9 months for sperm quality, concentration of testosterone in serum, and side effects; at 0 and 5 months with contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) to enhance the morphological aspects/alteration of the testicular parenchyma or epididymis; and at 9 months when all were castrated for histological examination. Results All dogs treated with CaCl2 became sterile with azoospermia achieved over the 9-month study. The concentration of testosterone in serum significantly decreased following intratesticular treatment with CaCl2. No adverse effects were noted. Conclusions A single, bilateral intratesticular injection of 20% CaCl2 in 95% ethanol was confirmed to be a reliable method for induction of sterilization in male dogs. The approach showed long-term efficacy and may reduce sexual behavior, with the additional benefits of low-cost and ease of use, making this nonsurgical method appropriate for use in stray dogs. Sterility was also achieved if injected in the head of the epididymis but no significant decrease in serum concentration of testosterone occurred. Moreover, performing the intraepididymal injection into the epididymal head was as time consuming as orchiectomy. This approach may be optimal for use in owned dogs where anatomical integrity and testosterone maintenance is preferred by the owner

Comparison of the Transdermal and Intravenous Administration of Buprenorphine in the Management of Intra- and Postoperative Pain in Dogs Undergoing a Unilateral Mastectomy

The aim of this prospective clinical study was to evaluate the effectiveness of transdermal patches of buprenorphine as an alternative route for the management of perioperative pain in dogs undergoing a unilateral mastectomy. Our hypothesis was that the transdermal route would allow the obtainment of an analgesic plan comparable to that of the injectable administration. Twelve dogs were divided in two groups. In the BupreP group (six dogs), buprenorphine patches were applied 40 h before the start of the surgery, guaranteeing a dosage of 5-6 μg/kg/h. In the BupreI group (six dogs), 20 μg/kg of buprenorphine was administered intravenously 30 min before the induction of anesthesia, and this was repeated every 6 h for 24 h. The main physiological parameters, sedation scores (0 = no sedation; 11 = deep sedation), and pain scores were monitored from 30 min before the surgery to 24 h after the end of anesthesia. All p values < 0.05 were defined as statistically significant. Thirty minutes before the surgery, the sedation scores were higher in BupreI (score = 10) compared to the BupreP group (score = 1). Moreover, during the mastectomy, the mean arterial pressure significantly increased in both groups even if nobody required additional analgesia. In the postoperative period, the pain scores did not show statistically significant differences between the two groups, maintaining values below the pain threshold at all times of the study. In conclusion, the transdermal administration of buprenorphine could guarantee an analgesic quality equal to that of the injectable route

Ultrasound-Guided Funicular Block: Ropivacaine Injection into the Tissue around the Spermatic Cord to Improve Analgesia during Orchiectomy in Dogs

Orchiectomy is a common surgical procedure performed on small animals, and it requires postoperative pain management despite its relative simplicity. This study aimed to evaluate the hemodynamic stability, intraoperative administration of additional hypnotic and/or analgesic drugs, and postoperative pain scores following the combination of ultrasound-guided injection of ropivacaine hydrochloride into the spermatic cord and infiltration by the same anaesthetic of the incisional prescrotal line (ROP) or general anaesthesia. Dogs in the ROP group showed greater intraoperative hemodynamic stability and lower pain scores than the control group. The locoregional approach used in this study proved effective in minimising the responses to the surgical stimulus and ensured adequate analgesia intra- and postoperatively. This method, called ultrasound-guided funicular block, allows orchiectomy to be performed under deep sedation without general anaesthesia

Local and Regional Anaesthetic Techniques in Canine Ovariectomy: A Review of the Literature and Technique Description

Canine ovariectomy is an elective surgery with a moderate level of pain. Despite its relative simplicity, it requires surgical pain management. This study aimed to collect all recent information about local and regional anaesthetic/analgesic techniques in a review of the literature describing the technique utilised. The various procedures described in this review use local anaesthetics to improve analgesia in the routine systemic anaesthetic protocol. The approach described in this paper is called multimodal analgesia and is used in addition to the normal standard anaesthetic protocol. These techniques proved effective in minimising responses to the surgical stimulus and ensured adequate intraoperative and postoperative analgesia. The routine use of multimodal analgesia is considered a useful alternative for pain management in canine ovariectomy, in that it minimises patient suffering, improves the recovery of rescue analgesia, increases drug savings, and improves animal outcomes. In addition, the use of these local and regional techniques ensures satisfactory analgesic coverage that lasts for the first hours postoperatively

The effect of splash block on the need for analgesia in dogs subjected to video-assisted ovariectomy

Objectives: The present study aimed to demonstrate the efficacy of splash block using lidocaine to provide additional analgesia during ovariectomy in bitches. To identify an acute intraoperative nociceptive response, three clinical parameters were used: increased blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory rate. Material and Methods: Forty healthy bitches were randomly assigned to receive 2% lidocaine (L group) topical application (splash block) on both ovaries (2 mg/kg each), or an equal volume of NaCl 0.9% at the same sites (C group). A fentanyl bolus (2 μg/kg) was administered intraoperatively in response to an increase in blood pressure, heart rate or respiratory rate during surgery (> 30% compared with the pre-incisional values). Results: Local lidocaine administration significantly reduced the need for supplementary fentanyl. Dogs in the L group showed greater intraoperative hemodynamic stability and lower surgical pain than those in the C group. In addition to the routine anaesthetic protocol, the local anaesthesia used in the present study was safe and caused no cardiopulmonary suppression. In addition, it significantly reduced the need for mandatory systemic or rescue analgesia. Clinical Significance: Ovariectomy is a common surgical procedure in bitches. Analgesia during this procedure is important because intraoperative pain can cause negative effects that prevent patient recovery. This study aimed to demonstrate the analgesic efficacy of lidocaine splash block in video-assisted ovariectomy in dogs. The results showed that splash block improved surgical analgesia during canine laparoscopic ovariectomy. Considering its relative simplicity, low cost, and safety, splash block could be used in daily clinical practice. © 2021 The Authors. Veterinary Medicine and Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.Objectives: The present study aimed to demonstrate the efficacy of splash block using lidocaine to provide additional analgesia during ovariectomy in bitches. To identify an acute intraoperative nociceptive response, three clinical parameters were used: increased blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory rate. Material and Methods: Forty healthy bitches were randomly assigned to receive 2% lidocaine (L group) topical application (splash block) on both ovaries (2 mg/kg each), or an equal volume of NaCl 0.9% at the same sites (C group). A fentanyl bolus (2 μg/kg) was administered intraoperatively in response to an increase in blood pressure, heart rate or respiratory rate during surgery (> 30% compared with the pre-incisional values). Results: Local lidocaine administration significantly reduced the need for supplementary fentanyl. Dogs in the L group showed greater intraoperative hemodynamic stability and lower surgical pain than those in the C group. In addition to the routine anaesthetic protocol, the local anaesthesia used in the present study was safe and caused no cardiopulmonary suppression. In addition, it significantly reduced the need for mandatory systemic or rescue analgesia. Clinical Significance: Ovariectomy is a common surgical procedure in bitches. Analgesia during this procedure is important because intraoperative pain can cause negative effects that prevent patient recovery. This study aimed to demonstrate the analgesic efficacy of lidocaine splash block in video-assisted ovariectomy in dogs. The results showed that splash block improved surgical analgesia during canine laparoscopic ovariectomy. Considering its relative simplicity, low cost, and safety, splash block could be used in daily clinical practice

USE OF O3IL ® TO FAST THE WOUND HEALING IN BITCH AFTER THE SURGICAL UNILATERAL MASTECTOMY

Unilateral mastectomy is one of the most painful surgical procedures in canine species. This surgery result in extensive tissue damage, severe postoperative pain and long healing time [Cicirelli et al., 2021]. This study aimed to compare conventional therapy (using only oral medications and cleaning the surgical wound) to topic application of O3IL® in order to determine which is better and faster for the healing process after canine surgical unilateral mastectomy. A total of 18 bitches were included in the present study, all of which were domesticated, healthy and 4-12 years of age. The animals were selected for unilateral mastectomy due to mammary tumours, diagnosed on clinical examination and which were staged according to the tumour node metastasis (TNM) classification system [Owen et al., 1980]. Informed consent was obtained from the dog owners prior to participation in the study and this protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee for animal testing–CESA of the Department of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Bari “Aldo Moro”. The day before surgery, patients underwent general preoperative examinations and were randomly divided into two groups (n=9): a control group (C) treated in the post operatory with routine therapy and a group treated with O3IL ® (O group) as an adjuvant for the scarring process. The same surgical team performed all surgeries, in full compliance with the leges artis. In the postoperative period, we assessed the wound status and healing process using the Bates-Jensen Wound Assessment Tool (BWAT) (Harris et al., 2010). The BWAT assesses the following nine items: size, depth, edges, necrotic tissue type, necrotic tissue amount, exudate amount, exudate type, granulation tissue, and epithelialisation. The total BWAT scores were divided into five severity categories: 0-8, healing; 9-19, minimal severity; 20-29, mild severity; 30-38, moderate severity; and 39-45, extreme severity. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS Software using two-way ANOVA. Values were judged significant if p < 0.05. In the postoperative period, all patients had similar lesions with a BWAT score higher than 42 (extreme severity). The dog was considered cured when his BWAT score was ≤8. All animals were monitored daily after surgery until all patient injuries were completely recovered (for a total of 16 days). The same surgeon monitored the wound status each day by collecting data for the BWAT. All pain symptoms and post-operative discomfort gradually disappeared in both groups. In particular, in the C group, they disappeared from day 8 to day 10; in the O group, they disappeared from day 5 to day 6. In general, the healing process in both groups was similar until day 3. At the beginning of the experiment, the control group seemed to show a better response to the therapy, which confirmed by BWAT scores. On day 3 of therapy, the values of both groups were the same; however, the treated group showed a subsequent improvement in scores and achieved healing point by day 4. Total wound healing occurred on day 13 for group O, and on day 16 for group C. This study shows the use of O3IL® on traumatic lesions of the genital mucosa is an excellent therapeutic aid to be used in the canine species

Fentanyl patch versus tramadol for the control of postoperative pain in canine ovariectomy and mastectomy

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the postoperative analgesic efficacy of fentanyl patches versus subcutaneous tramadol after canine ovariectomy, with and without unilateral mastectomy

Local and Regional Anaesthetic Techniques in Canine Ovariectomy: A Review of the Literature and Technique Description

Canine ovariectomy is an elective surgery with a moderate level of pain. Despite its relative simplicity, it requires surgical pain management. This study aimed to collect all recent information about local and regional anaesthetic/analgesic techniques in a review of the literature describing the technique utilised. The various procedures described in this review use local anaesthetics to improve analgesia in the routine systemic anaesthetic protocol. The approach described in this paper is called multimodal analgesia and is used in addition to the normal standard anaesthetic protocol. These techniques proved effective in minimising responses to the surgical stimulus and ensured adequate intraoperative and postoperative analgesia. The routine use of multimodal analgesia is considered a useful alternative for pain management in canine ovariectomy, in that it minimises patient suffering, improves the recovery of rescue analgesia, increases drug savings, and improves animal outcomes. In addition, the use of these local and regional techniques ensures satisfactory analgesic coverage that lasts for the first hours postoperatively

Ovariectomy in Mouflons (Ovis aries) in the Field: Application of Innovative Surgical and Anaesthesiological Techniques

This report describes an innovative technique of ovariectomy useful for the birth control in the mouflon population. Thirteen female mouflons in reproductive age were submitted to ovariectomy via midline and left flank, using the AESCULAP CAIMAN® Seal and Cut device. The CAIMAN® was useful for clamping the ovary, stapling the vessels, and cutting in one stroke, thus reducing the surgery times. The day after the gonadectomy all animals were mobilized to another enclosure. In this study, no intraoperative and post-operative complications were observed, and all animals were gonadectomized without side effects. This study sets the guidelines for the surgical sterilization of mouflons in the field using anesthetic protocols and high-quality surgical procedures

The Use of Abdominal Ultrasound to Improve the Cryptorchidectomy of Pigs

This study aimed to describe a technique to locate retained testes in pigs by means of ultrasound examination and thereafter proceed with cryptorchidectomy. Fifty-two monolateral cryptorchid pigs were enrolled. After anaesthesia, 42 pigs (Group U) underwent ultrasound examination before cryptorchidectomy, and 10 pigs (Group C) were used as control group without ultrasonography. The total duration of anaesthesia, ultrasound examination, and surgery was evaluated. In 10 pigs of Group U and 10 pigs of Group C, the heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), and body temperature (T) were monitored to assess intraoperative pain response. An operator used the Piglet Grimace Scale (PGS) to assess postoperative pain. In Group U, the total time required for anaesthesia and surgery was less than Group C. No intra- or postoperative complications were reported in both groups. For HR, RR, and T, no statistically significant differences were observed. During the postoperative pain assessment, the highest pain scores were recorded at T6 (6 h after surgery). Ultrasound examination was found to be a valid technique for locating the retained testis in the abdomen in cryptorchid pigs and to reduce the duration of the surgery