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