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Veterinary Sciences
Special Issues
Emerging Trends in Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia
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Emerging Trends in Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia

A special issue of Veterinary Sciences (ISSN 2306-7381). This special issue belongs to the section "Veterinary Surgery".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 March 2026 | Viewed by 2806

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Fabio Leonardi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Veterinary Sciences Medicine, University of Parma, 43126 Parma, Italy
Interests: animal health; drug delivery; smart devices for drug delivery; biomaterials; surgery; anesthesiology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Giovanna Costa

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Via Palatucci Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy
Interests: anaesthesia; analgesia; veterinary
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Veterinary anesthesia and analgesia are rapidly evolving fields that play a critical role in ensuring the welfare and safety of animal patients across species. As veterinary medicine embraces precision approaches and novel technologies, there is an increasing need to integrate cutting-edge research into clinical practice. This Special Issue aims to bring together original research, clinical studies, reviews, and case reports that explore current innovations and persistent challenges in veterinary anesthesia and analgesia. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, multimodal analgesia, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of anesthetic agents, species-specific protocols, pain assessment tools, perioperative care, neuroanesthesia, regional blocks, and anesthesia monitoring technologies. We particularly welcome contributions that highlight translational applications, comparative approaches, and the integration of pharmacogenomics and individualized medicine in pain management. By compiling a diverse range of studies from both clinical and experimental settings, this Special Issue seeks to promote evidence-based practices, enhance analgesic protocols, and foster interdisciplinary collaboration within the veterinary community. We invite researchers, clinicians, and specialists in veterinary anesthesia and pain management to contribute to this timely and impactful collection aimed at improving outcomes and animal welfare in veterinary practice.

Prof. Dr. Fabio Leonardi
Dr. Giovanna Costa
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Veterinary Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2100 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • veterinary anesthesia
  • veterinary analgesia
  • pain management
  • multimodal analgesia
  • anesthetic pharmacokinetics
  • anesthetic pharmacodynamics
  • species-specific protocols
  • perioperative care
  • pain assessment
  • regional anesthesia
  • anesthesia monitoring
  • translational veterinary medicine
  • comparative anesthesia
  • pharmacogenomics
  • individualized medicine
  • animal welfare
  • clinical veterinary practice

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 258 KB  
Article
Effect of a Constant Rate Infusion of Ketamine on a Variable Rate Infusion of Xylazine in Standing Horses Undergoing Ventriculocordectomy and Laryngoplasty
by Francisco Medina-Bautista, Juan Morgaz, Setefilla Quirós-Carmona, María Esther Caravaca-Paredes, Rocío Navarrete-Calvo, Antonia Lucía Sánchez de Medina, Rafael Gómez-Villamandos and María del Mar Granados
Vet. Sci. 2026, 13(1), 77; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci13010077 - 12 Jan 2026
Viewed by 354
Abstract
Standing sedation in horses provides immobilization and analgesia for surgery while avoiding the high risks of general anesthesia. Ketamine at subanesthetic doses may enhance sedation and reduce xylazine requirements, but evidence in clinical settings is limited. In a randomized blinded trial, we evaluated [...] Read more.
Standing sedation in horses provides immobilization and analgesia for surgery while avoiding the high risks of general anesthesia. Ketamine at subanesthetic doses may enhance sedation and reduce xylazine requirements, but evidence in clinical settings is limited. In a randomized blinded trial, we evaluated whether adding a low-dose ketamine infusion could reduce the xylazine dose required for effective sedation during standing ventriculocordectomy and laryngoplasty. Fifty-one horses were randomly assigned to sedation with xylazine alone (SX group) or xylazine plus ketamine (KX group) in a continuous rate infusion. The ketamine group received ketamine (0.25 mg/kg intravenous (IV) bolus followed by 0.5 mg/kg/h infusion), while xylazine was administered in both groups via a titrated infusion to effect according to the Ghent Sedation Algorithm. Sedation depth, ataxia, surgical condition scores, and cardiorespiratory parameters were recorded. Data are presented as median (25th–75th percentiles) and estimated effect with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05 and at 95% CIs excluding zero. The addition of ketamine did not significantly reduce xylazine requirements (0.9 (0.7–1.3) vs. 0.8 (0.5–1.1) mg/kg/h for SX and KX, respectively; p = 0.139). However, horses receiving ketamine (KX) achieved deeper sedation (Estimate = 2.74; 95% CI: 0.95 to 4.63) with no differences in ataxia or surgical conditions. Cardiorespiratory variables remained stable in both groups, and no adverse events occurred. In conclusion, adding a subanesthetic ketamine infusion improved sedation depth without adverse effects but did not significantly reduce the xylazine requirement. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Trends in Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia)
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11 pages, 862 KB  
Article
Comparison of Cardiorespiratory Effects of Two Balanced Anesthesia Protocols in Baboons (Papio hamadryas) Undergoing Laparoscopic Salpingectomy
by Roberta Pizzi, Claudia Piemontese, Caterina Vicenti, Elena Barazia, Marzia Stabile, Claudia Acquafredda, Luca Lacitignola, Marta Guadalupi, Pietro Laricchiuta and Francesco Staffieri
Vet. Sci. 2025, 12(12), 1134; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12121134 - 29 Nov 2025
Viewed by 388
Abstract
Laparoscopic salpingectomy is a minimally invasive surgery that requires careful anesthetic management due to the effects of intra-abdominal gas insufflation. In this retrospective study, baboons (Papio hamadryas) were treated with two induction protocols: medetomidine–ketamine (MK; n = 16) and medetomidine–tiletamine–zolazepam (MZ; n = [...] Read more.
Laparoscopic salpingectomy is a minimally invasive surgery that requires careful anesthetic management due to the effects of intra-abdominal gas insufflation. In this retrospective study, baboons (Papio hamadryas) were treated with two induction protocols: medetomidine–ketamine (MK; n = 16) and medetomidine–tiletamine–zolazepam (MZ; n = 12) via intramuscular injection. A laryngeal mask (LMA) was used for airway management and anesthesia was maintained with isoflurane in 100% oxygen. For statistical analysis, the following parameters were analyzed via two-way ANOVA: heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial blood pressure (SAP, DAP, and MAP), end-tidal carbon dioxide (EtCO2), and peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) recorded five minutes before pneumoperitoneum (PREP), after abdominal insufflation (PP1), at 10 (PP2) and 20 (PP3) minutes post-insufflation, and 5 min after pneumoperitoneum interruption (POSTP). HR and RR were statistically significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the MK group compared to the MZ group at all time points of the study. EtCO2 was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the MZ group at PP2, PP3, and POSTP time points. The incidence of hypotension was significantly greater in the MZ group (45.5%) compared to the MK group (6.25%). Hypercapnia was observed in all baboons sedated with the MZ protocol compared to 12.5% of the MK group. As a result, the MK protocol provided greater cardiorespiratory stability during laparoscopic surgery. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Trends in Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia)
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15 pages, 435 KB  
Article
Effects of Lidocaine Alone Versus Lidocaine–Dexmedetomidine Infusion on Pulmonary Gas Exchange and Respiratory Mechanics During Isoflurane Anesthesia in Horses
by Ludovica Chiavaccini, Raiane A. Moura, Tatiana Moreira Batista P. R. Azevedo, Chiara De Gennaro, Enzo Vettorato, Marta Romano and Diego A. Portela
Vet. Sci. 2025, 12(11), 1089; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12111089 - 16 Nov 2025
Viewed by 993
Abstract
Dexmedetomidine improves pulmonary function in dogs and humans, but evidence in horses is scarce. This study evaluated dexmedetomidine infusion on oxygenation and respiratory mechanics in anesthetized horses. Twenty horses undergoing elective surgery were included in a prospective, non-randomized, observational study. Horses received either [...] Read more.
Dexmedetomidine improves pulmonary function in dogs and humans, but evidence in horses is scarce. This study evaluated dexmedetomidine infusion on oxygenation and respiratory mechanics in anesthetized horses. Twenty horses undergoing elective surgery were included in a prospective, non-randomized, observational study. Horses received either lidocaine alone (1.3 mg/kg over 15 min, then 3 mg/kg/hour; LIDO) or combined with dexmedetomidine (1.75 μg/kg over 15 min, then 1.75 μg/kg/hour; DL). Respiratory mechanics, gas exchange, and cardiovascular variables were recorded at baseline, post-loading, and after 30, 60, and 90 min. Data were analyzed using mixed-effects linear models with horse as a random effect and time and treatment and their interaction as fixed effects (p ≤ 0.05). Peak inspiratory pressure increased over time with both treatments but was lower with DL at 90 min (−1.26 mmHg, p = 0.046). There was no evidence that arterial oxygen pressure or oxygenation ratio improved over time with DL (p > 0.75). Shunt fraction did not significantly change over time or between treatments (Wald χ2 = 4.77, p = 0.85). Heart rate with DL decreased from baseline (p ≤ 0.001) but remained higher than LIDO overall (p = 0.001). Dexmedetomidine infusion showed no benefit on oxygenation or respiratory mechanics in anesthetized horses. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Trends in Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia)
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