49 research outputs found
Gonadectomy in Raccoons: Anesthetic and Cardiorespiratory Effects of Two Ketamine-Based Pre-Anesthetic Protocols before Sevoflurane-Sufentanil
Nineteen raccoons were enrolled in this study. The aim was to evaluate and compare the
quality of anesthesia and the cardiorespiratory eects following treatment with a ketamine-based
combination with either dexmedetomidine (KD group) or midazolam (KM group) in raccoons
undergoing ovariohysterectomy/orchiectomy. General anesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane
in oxygen and sufentanil infusion. The time required to approach the animals was similar among
groups resulting in a median of 5 min after IM injection. Animals in group KD were scored with
greater myorelaxation (p < 0.01) and easier intubation (p < 0.05). Moreover 70% of them did not
require other drugs for tracheal intubation unlike animals in group KM, which required propofol in
100% of cases. After intubation and connection to the breathing circuit, physiological parameters were
monitored continuously and recorded every 5 min. Sevoflurane requirements were lower in group
KD than KM (p = 0.005). Blood pressure was maintained within physiological ranges in both groups
but with higher values in group KM (p < 0.05). Mild respiratory depression occurred during surgery
and animals in group KM showed greater respiratory acidosis (p < 0.05). Recovery was smooth
and uneventful in all animals. Both anesthetic protocols can be recommended for safe anesthesia in
wild raccoons
Retrograde Approach to Maxillary Nerve Block: An Alternative in Orofacial Surgeries in Horses
The aim of this study was to retrospectively report outcomes resulting from the approach to the maxillary nerve block (MNB) through the infraorbital canal, in terms of needles selection, drawbacks or side effects during or after block execution, and analgesic efficacy leading to clinical and cardiovascular stability during surgery. Anesthetic records of 15 horses undergoing orofacial surgery in standing analgo-sedation (STA, n = 6) and in general anesthesia (GEN, n = 9) were retrieved and analyzed. Horses in group STA required surgery for dental extraction, nasal polyp resection and maxillary/frontal sinusitis. Horses in group GEN underwent surgery for fronto-maxillary, nasal and dental diseases. Size 19 and 20 G Tuohy needles were used in adult horses weighing 350–600 kg, while size 21 and 22 G were used in younger horses or ponies. None of the horses in both groups showed complications related to the block and physiological parameters were stable and within normal ranges during surgery; overall, an adequate anesthetic/sedation depth was achieved. Our results confirm the in vivo applicability of the MNB approached within the infraorbital canal, which had been described only on cadaveric specimens. The retrograde technique resulted in a valid and easy approach to the maxillary nerve that avoids damage to periorbital structures and side effects reported with traditional techniques
Clinical comparison of two regimens of lidocaine infusion in horses undergoing laparotomy for colic
To compare, in horses undergoing laparotomy
for colic, the effects of administering or not
administering a loading intravenous (IV) bolus of
lidocaine prior to its constant rate infusion (CRI).
Effects investigated during isoflurane anaesthesia
were end-tidal isoflurane concentration (FE′ISO),
cardiovascular function, anaesthetic stability and
the quality of recovery
Horner's syndrome associated to disseminated thoracic melanoma in a lipizzaner horse
A20-year-oldgeldingLipizzanerhorsewas referredforonsetofprofusesweating andincreased
heat on the right side of the head, neck, and thoracic limb. On physical examination, the horse
presented tachycardia, muffled heart sounds with a pansystolic murmur, and signs of heart
failure such as ventral edema, jugular distention, and pulsation. Ultrasonography examination
revealed a bilateral pleural effusion and a large intrathoracicmass extending into the anterior
mediastinum, which shifted the heart dorsocaudally. Thoracocentesis revealed serosanguineous
fluid indicative of a melanocytic tumor. Thoracoscopy revealed a large dark mass
extending into and filling the cranioventralmediastinum. Themass appearancewas consistent
with amelanoma, and because prognosis was poor, the owner elected euthanasia. A necropsy
supported the presence of disseminatedmelanomaswith a greater thoracicmass involving the
right cervicothoracic ganglion, leading to clinical signs of sympathetic denervation
Successful Surgical and Medical Management of a Pararectal Abscessin a Horse
Pararectal abscesses are life-threatening conditions that can rupture and cause septic peritonitis. The objective of this case report is to describe aggressive treatment of a pararectal abscess to allow a quick return to competitions. A 14-year-old pony was admitted to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH) of the University of Perugia because of a suspected intra-abdominal mass. Two weeks earlier, it exhibited clinical signs compatible with colic which was treated medically; however, because of the persistence of a firm mass on the right side of the abdomen noted on rectal palpation, the pony was admitted to the VTH. Based on rectal palpation, rectal ultrasound, neutrophilic leukocytosis, hyperfibrinogenemia, and elevated alkaline phosphatase, the diagnosis of a pararectal abscess was made. The horse was treated with ceftiofur IM and MgSO4/paraffin oil via a nasogastric tube. Standing surgical drainage of the abscess with placement of an indwelling drain was performed, followed by daily lavages with rifampicin and acetylcysteine along with Ringer lactate solution with subsequent passive drainage. A bacterial culture revealed the presence of Streptococcus zooepidemicus that was treated with oral rifampicin. Standing laparoscopy revealed adhesions to the rectum. An epidural catheter was placed for repeated delivery of morphine sulfate. The pony was monitored daily by rectal examination, while complete blood count, fibrinogen, serum amyloid A, and abdominal ultrasound (to assess the size of the abscess) were repeated weekly. The pony progressively improved and was discharged one month later, shortly returning to competitions. This report emphasizes the importance of combining medical and surgical treatments for pararectal abscesses
Laparoscopic Uteropexy (Mesometrium Imbrication) in Three Mares Using a Barbed Suture
The aim of this study is to describe the surgical technique, complications and outcome of laparoscopic uteropexy in three mares using an absorbable barbed suture. Three old multiparous mares were referred for laparoscopic uteropexy. History information included abnormal uterine position, regular ovarian activity and recurrent uterine fluid accumula- tion during estrus or post-breeding. The mares had been unsuccessfully bred for years. Physical examination of each mare revealed an abnormal perineal conformation and a large pendulous uterus. Per rectum ultrasound examination failed to reveal any abnor- malities. Laparoscopic uteropexy was performed using an absorbable suture with unidi- rectional shallow barbs. There were no complications neither intraoperative nor postoperative. Follow-up examination confirmed that uterine position was more dorsally in the abdomen. Two mares became pregnant without other treatments the following breeding season and delivered two live foals. This is the first report on the use of a barbed suture in laparoscopic uteropexy. With Barbed suture is a new surgical suture that gives surgeons the possibility to perform suture without making knots. Barbed suture could be useful during laparoscopic surgery when performing knots represents a difficult and time consuming procedure. Despite barbed suture is becoming popular in human laparoscopic surgery, there are very few reports on its use in horses
Transitional Cell Carcinoma of the Bladder in a 12-Year-Old Gelding
A 12-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding was brought to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital
(OVUD) of the University of Perugia (Italy) because of a six month history of hematuria and
stranguria. A large mass in the bladder was detected by cystoscopy, and a transitional cell
carcinoma was diagnosed. Further diagnostic investigations did not detect any metastatic
spreading, and a therapy with cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) selective nonsteroidal antiinflammatory
drugs (NSAIDs) and antibiotics was started. After 1 month of therapy, the
horse had worsened and euthanasia was elected. Necropsy showed local and systemic
spreading of the tumor. Transitional cell carcinoma is a rare tumor in the horse. However, it
should be considered in the differential diagnosis list for chronic hematuria and stranguria.
A complete clinical and laboratory examination is required to have a definitive prognosis.
The use of COX-2 selective NSAIDs has been advocated in some cases of carcinoma in both
human and veterinary medicine, alone or together with the removal of the primary tumor
with good results. Immunohistochemistry should be performed to detect the expression of
COX-2 receptors by neoplastic cells to confirm the effectiveness of the NSAIDs therapy:
a negative result denotes a poor prognosis and should call for euthanasia, especially if large
tumors are detected
Surgical Treatment of an Abdominal Abscess Caused by a Migrating Iron Wire From the Ventral Colon, a Case Report
A 13-year-old mare presented for evaluation of recurrent colic episodes. The horse was
diagnosed with a mass within the spleen at the ultrasound examination of the abdomen;
the levels of Serum Amyloid A and the fibrinogen were high and so a presumptive diagnosis
of an abscess involving the spleen was made base on clinical, ultrasonographic and
laboratory findings and it was decided to perform n exploratory laparotomy for a definitive
diagnosis and possible treatment. Upon abdominal exploration a mass involving the
spleen, the lateral wall of the ventral colon adherent to the left abdominal wall was
diagnosed and with an intraoperative ultrasound examination a linear hyperechoic foreign
body was diagnosed within the mass. It was removed through an enterotomy of the left
ventral colon that allowed the digital exploration of the mass without spilling of pus
within the peritoneal cavity. The horse was discharged and the long term follow-up
revealed no complications and no more signs of abdominal pain
Standing Thoracoscopic Diaphragmatic Hernia Repair Using a Dual-Facing Mesh in a Horse
The purpose of the report, is to describe the surgical procedure adopted in a horse, to repair a diaphragmatic
hernia by using a dual facing meshA 6-year-old Warmblood gelding was referred for colic
surgery. Exploratory laparotomy revealed a small intestine strangulation in a 8e10 cm left dorsal diaphragmatic
tear. A jejuno-jejunal anastomosis following resection of the strangulated intestine was
accomplished. The horse recovered uneventfully and five days after surgery, a left sided thoracoscopy in
standing position was performed. The diaphragmatic defect was repaired by using a dual facing mesh
anchored with synthetic absorbable screws and permanent titanium helicoidal tacks.At follow-up
thoracoscopy, 30 days later, the mesh was in the correct position, pleural tissue was covering 90% of
the mesh surface, and signs of shrinking were absent. The surgical procedure performed by the authors is
minimally invasive and presents some advantages compared to conventional thoracotomy as it gives an
excellent visualization of the thoracic cavity combined with decreased perioperative morbidity and
pain.Standing thoracoscopic application of a mesh should be considered as a reasonable option while
planning the closure of a dorsal diaphragmatic tear in horses