Anaesthetic management of a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) occlusion using an Amplatz canine duct occluder (ACDO) in a dog

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is one of the most common diagnosed congenital disease in dogs that usually causes heart failure and death unless corrected at a young age. A 2.5-year-old female intact Coton de Tuléar was referred and diagnosed with a left to right shunt PDA. Closure of the PDA was performed via a minimally invasive approach by means of an Amplatz canine duct occluder device. In this case report, we describe a successful anaesthetic protocol that included premedication using a combination of acepromazine and methadone, induction with propofol and midazolam and maintenance with isoflurane in oxygen, as well as a lidocaine constant rate constant rate infusion for intraoperative analgesic and cardiovascular support. This protocol provided excellent intraoperative cardiopulmonary stability and a smooth and rapid recovery

Anesthesia for cystotomy in a dog with pancreatitis and a portosystemic shunt

A 21-month-old Cocker spaniel with a portosystemic shunt, a moderate thrombocytopenia and a history of pancreatitis, was anesthetized for a cystotomy to remove bladder polyps and stones. The portosystemic shunt had been treated conservatively with lactulose, ampicillin and a special diet. After premedication with methadone 0.2 mg/kg, by intramuscular (IM) injection, anesthesia was induced with propofol 4 mg/kg intravenously (IV) and maintained with isoflurane in oxygen. Additionally, 2 mL lidocaine 2% and 0.1 mg/kg morphine were injected in the lumbosacral epidural space and 0:1 mg/kg meloxicam was administered intravenously. Except for a moderate decrease in arterial pressure after the epidural injection and the need for intermittent positive pressure ventilation during surgery, anesthesia and recovery were uneventful. Postoperative analgesia was provided with methadone (0.2 mg/kg every 4 hours initially, then 0.1 mg/kg every 6 hours IM) and oral meloxicam (0.1 mg/kg the first day, 0.05 mg/kg during 4 days)

Tandheelkunde bij het paard in de 21e eeuw, deel 3 : behandeling van gebitsproblemen

Equine dental pathology and its diagnosis have been described in part 1 and 2 (published in 2015 and 2016 respectively) of this series of articles on equine dentistry. In this third and last part, different treatment options are discussed and the cases, in which they can be applied, are highlighted. Along with the growing interest in equine dentistry and the increasing knowledge about it, the treatment options and the available instrumentation have strongly evolved over the years. This enables both the field veterinarian and the more specialized veterinary surgeon to perform efficient treatment of a wide variety of dental pathologies

Clinical effect of a constant rate infusion of alfaxalone in isoflurane-anesthetized goats undergoing an experimental procedure : a pilot study

Alfaxalone is a synthetic neurosteroid anesthetic agent widely used in veterinary medicine, with a wide margin of safety and good quality of anesthesia. Also, alfaxalone has rapid biotransformation and a low tendency to accumulate in the tissues after repeated doses, which favors its intravenous use as a constant rate infusion. The aim of the study was to assess the isoflurane-sparing property and the clinical effects on the cardiorespiratory system of alfaxalone used as constant rate infusion in goats. Three healthy female goats were included in the study. Each goat was anesthetized twice (interval fifteen days) and received the following treatments in a random order during maintenance of anesthesia: 1. alfaxalone administered as a constant rate infusion at 0.05 mg/kg/min (treatment A); 2. NaCl 0.9% solution at an identical infusion rate (treatment B). Isoflurane vaporizer settings were adjusted according to a flow-chart. The SpO2 was significantly lower during treatment B than during treatment A. Although no significant differences were demonstrated for the other variables (heart rate, etc.), a clinical effect was noticed, including a modest decrease in the expired isoflurane concentration with treatment A. In conclusion, the co-administration of alfaxalone in isoflurane-anesthetized goats seems to result in only minimal side effects on cardiorespiratory parameters and may reduce the isoflurane requirements, but further studies are needed to confirm these results

Anesthetic and analgesic management of a skunk (Mephitis mephitis) undergoing a laminectomy for cauda equina compression

A 6-year-old, male striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) weighing 5.9 kg was anesthetized for diagnostic imaging procedures and subsequently for a laminectomy at level L6/S1 as treatment of lumbosacral stenosis. On both occasions, anesthesia was induced by a face mask using 5% isoflurane in oxygen. After endotracheal intubation, anesthesia was maintained with isoflurane in oxygen. When necessary, intermittent positive pressure ventilation was instituted. For the surgical intervention, analgesia was provided with pre-operative carprofen, perioperative intravenous infusion of fentanyl and postoperative buprenorphine. The constant rate infusion of fentanyl provided a sufficient level of analgesia and reduced the amount of isoflurane needed. Hypoxemia occurred at the end of surgery and was successfully treated using a vital capacity manoeuvre. The recovery from both anesthetic procedures was smooth and uneventful and the surgical intervention was successful. Three weeks after surgery the skunk was able to move the pelvic limbs voluntarily

Left abomasal displacement between the uterus and rumen during bovine twin pregnancy

Here, we describe two cases of left displaced abomasum (LDA) in Holstein cattle at 6 and 9 months of twin gestation. Clinical examination revealed signs of proximal ileus with marked abdominal distension, but no ping sounds. An unusually high position of the gravid uterine horn on the left side was observed with ultrasound. Left exploratory laparotomy confirmed that the abomasum was displaced to the left and entrapped between the rumen and twin gravid uterine horn. A left surgical approach was necessary to correct the condition. Both animals recovered and gave birth to healthy twins. The present cases indicate that the subomental position of a heavy twin gravid uterine horn is a possible mechanical cause of LDA