Ease of intravenous catheterisation in dogs and cats: a comparative study of two peripheral catheters.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate animal comfort and ease of placement of a veterinary-specific intravenous catheter compared with a catheter manufactured for human use. METHODS: Fifty-nine veterinary undergraduates were recruited to perform intravenous catheterisations with two brands of over-the-needle catheter [Smiths Medical Jelco® (human use) and Abbott Animal Health catheter® (veterinary use)] in 69 healthy cats (n = 28) and dogs (n = 41) requiring general anaesthesia. After a standardised pre-anaesthetic medication, each animal was randomly allocated to have one of the two brands of catheter placed. Each student was allowed a maximum of three attempts to achieve cephalic vein catheterisation. The student and a single experienced observer evaluated each attempt. Observations related to ease of placement and to the animal's reaction were recorded. RESULTS: Human use catheters were placed in 34 and veterinary use in 35 animals. There was no difference in weight, sex or sedation score between the two groups. The number of failed attempts was similar between the two groups. There was no difference between groups for the number of animals reacting to catheter insertion. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The two types of catheters evaluated are equally suitable for intravenous catheterisation of sedated animals by veterinary undergraduate students.This is the accepted manuscript. The final version is available from http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jsap.12318/abstract

Post anaesthetic myopathy/neuropathy in horses undergoing Magnetic resonance imaging compares to horses undergoing surgery.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Patient positioning and long anaesthetic duration required for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may result in a higher frequency of post anaesthetic myopathy/neuropathy syndrome (PAMNS) as compared to horses undergoing anaesthesia for surgery. HYPOTHESIS: Equine anaesthesia for MRI is associated with a higher frequency of PAMNS than anaesthesia for nonemergency, nonabdominal surgery. METHODS: Anaesthetic and medical records of horses (n = 633) undergoing MRI or surgery between January 2001 and January 2005 (inclusive), were reviewed. Information obtained included patient details (breed, sex, age, bodyweight), area of body scanned or involved in surgery, body position, anaesthetic and inotropic agents administered, anaesthetic duration, adverse events during anaesthesia and outcome at 7 days. Data were examined by cross tabulation and Chi-square or Fisher's exact test of association. The influence of individual variables was examined by univariant and multivariant analysis models. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between the 2 groups in parameters examined, except that horses in the MRI group were heavier (P<0.0001) and anaesthetic duration longer in the surgery group (P<0.004). Eight horses (2.3%, 95% Confidence interval [CI]: 1.1-4.2) in the MRI group had clinical signs of PAMNS in the post anaesthetic period, whereas only 2 horses (0.98%, 95% CI: 0.2-2.8) in the surgery group were affected. This was not statistically significantly different (odds ratio = 2.7, 95% CI: 0.8-13, P = 0.3). Two horses undergoing MRI were subjected to euthanasia due to the severity of PAMNS. CONCLUSIONS: There was no difference in the occurrence of PAMNS between the 2 groups. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: The risk of performing general anaesthesia for diagnostic procedures such as MRI may not be greater than that for a surgical procedure. However, the benefits should be carefully weighed against the risks involved

Arrhythmias and transient changes in cardiac function after topical administration of one drop of phenylephrine 10% in an adult cat undergoing conjunctival graft

A 2-year-old, entire female, Somali cat weighing 3.8 kg was admitted for a conjunctival graft on the right eye, for treatment of an acute descemetocele. Medetomidine 4.2 mu g kg-1 and methadone 0.2 mg kg-1 were administered by intramuscular injection as preanaesthetic medication. Anaesthesia was induced using diazepam 0.26 mg kg-1 and propofol 4 mg kg-1 administered by intravenous (IV) injection. Following endotracheal intubation, anaesthesia was maintained with isoflurane delivered in oxygen (1 L minute-1) and nitrous oxide (2 L minute-1) via a non-rebreathing system. Twenty minutes after induction of anaesthesia, one drop of a 10% phenylephrine hydrochloride solution was administered topically to the right eye. Physical examination After phenylephrine administration, a decrease in heart rate (from 95 to 80 beats minute-1) and an increase in arterial blood pressure occurred. The pulse then became difficult to palpate manually and multifocal ventricular premature contractions were observed on the electrocardiogram. Management Nitrous oxide was discontinued and the isoflurane vaporizer setting was decreased from 1.5% to 0.5%. Lidocaine 1 mg kg-1 IV was administered, this resulted in ventricular bigeminy. The quality of the femoral pulse improved and was regular in rhythm and character. Surgery was completed as fast as possible. The bigeminy progressively disappeared and before disconnecting the cat from the breathing system, there was a normal sinus rhythm with a heart rate of 85 beats minute-1. Follow-up Echocardiography was performed during recovery and showed mitral and aortic valve insufficiency and dilation of the left ventricle, suggesting a reduction in systolic function. Echocardiography was repeated the following day and was normal. Conclusions In order to diminish the potential for cardiovascular sequelae associated with systemic absorption of ocular phenylephrine, less concentrated solutions, smaller drop size or different instillation techniques should be considered for topical use in small patients

Thoracic Epidural Catheter Placement Using a Paramedian Approach with Cephalad Angulation in Three Dogs

Objective To describe a technique for insertion of a thoracic epidural catheter. Study Design Clinical report. Animals Dogs (n = 3) undergoing thoracic wall resection and thoracotomy. Methods A paramedian approach with cephalic angulation was used to place a 24-g epidural catheter in 3 dogs. Dogs 1 and 2 had left caudal thoracic wall resection and dog 3 had left thoracotomy. In dog 1, the epidural catheter was inserted at L2\u2013L3 intervertebral space and the tip of the catheter advanced to the level of T13 vertebral body. In dog 2, the epidural catheter was inserted at T12\u2013T13 intervertebral space and the tip of the catheter was advanced to the level of T8 vertebral body. In dog 3, the epidural catheter was inserted at T13\u2013L1 intervertebral space and its tip advanced until reaching the vertebral body of T10. All dogs were administered a combination of bupivacaine and morphine through the epidural catheter to provide intra- and postoperative analgesia. Results The peridural space was identified and the tip of the catheter was positioned where intended in all dogs. Dog 1 developed transient Horner's syndrome and dog 3 required intraoperative fentanyl during the first part of the procedure. Conclusion Paramedian approach with cephalad angulation is a suitable technique to place thoracic epidural catheters in dogs

Acupuncture and pharmacopuncture are as effective as morphine or carprofen for postoperative analgesia in bitches undergoing ovariohysterectomy

PURPOSE: To investigate the analgesic effect of acupuncture (AP) or micro-dose pharmacopuncture (PA), using carprofen or morphine, in bitches undergoing ovariohysterectomy (OHE). METHODS: Thirty five dogs were randomly assigned to five groups after sedation with acepromazine IM: AP, 0.5 mg.kg(-1) of morphine subcutaneously (SC), 4 mg.kg(-1) of carprofen SC, and PA with 0.05 mg.kg(-1) of morphine or 0.4 mg.kg(-1) of carprofen. Anaesthesia was induced with propofol and maintained with isoflurane. Pain was assessed after OHE by a blind observer for 24h, by dynamic visual analogue scale (DIVAS), Glasgow (CMPS-SF), Melbourne (UMPS) and Colorado University pain scale (CSU). Animals reaching 33% of the UMPS score received rescue analgesia with morphine IM. Non parametric data were analysed by Kruskal-Wallis or Friedman tests where applicable, followed by Dunn's test. Parametric data were analysed by two way ANOVA, followed by Tukey test. RESULTS: There were no differences among groups in number of rescue analgesia. Except for the DIVAS score where animals treated with morphine had the lowest score compared with AP and carprofen, at 1h after surgery, there were no other differences among groups. CONCLUSION: Acupuncture or pharmacopuncture were equally effective as morphine or carprofen to control postoperative pain in bitches undergoing ovariohysterectomy