Search Results (26)

To compare the use of postoperative analgesia for mastectomy, 44 dogs were randomly allocated to either the Splash treatment group (group A) or the Transverse Abdominis Plane block treatment group (TAP, group B). Following intramuscular (IM) premedication with pethidine (4 mg kg⁻¹) and acepromazine (0.01 mg kg⁻¹), anesthesia was induced with intravenous (IV) propofol and maintained with isoflurane by an anesthetist (DC) who was unaware of the treatment. In group A, ropivacaine 0.5% (2 mg kg⁻¹) was administered prior to surgical wound closure. In group B, ropivacaine 0.5% (0.8–1 mg kg⁻¹ per point) was administered by ultrasound-guided TAP block with two injection points per treated body side. At the end of the surgery, all dogs received pethidine (4 mg kg⁻¹ IM), meloxicam (0.2 mg kg⁻¹ IV), and acepromazine (0.005 mg kg⁻¹ IV). The animals’ pain was assessed by the anesthetist, who remained unaware of the treatment type used, via the Short Form of the Glasgow Composite Pain Scale. When the pain scores were ≥6, methadone (0.2 mg kg⁻¹ IV) and gabapentin (10 mg kg⁻¹ per oral) were started. When the pain score remained ≥ 6, ketamine (1 mg kg⁻¹ subcutaneously) was administered. The dogs in the TAP block group had lower postoperative pain scores 3–12 h after anesthesia administration was terminated and required significantly less rescue analgesia. Full article

Morphine has significant clinical and analgesic effects in horses, but its impact on the gastrointestinal tract requires further understanding. This study assessed the analgesic and gastrointestinal effects of morphine in horses undergoing elective orchiectomy in the quadrupedal position. Thirty uncastrated male horses were randomly assigned to three groups: orchiectomy without morphine and sedation protocol (OSM), orchiectomy with morphine and sedation protocol (OM), and administration of morphine alone in the absence of orchiectomy (M). The anesthetic protocol involved acepromazine (0.05 mg/kg IV) and detomidine (10 mcg/kg IV) sedation in groups OSM and OM, with morphine sulfate (0.05 mg/kg IV) given to OM and M, and NaCl to OSM. The team measured clinical parameters, pain, and sedation using the EQUUS-FAP scale, while they monitored bowel motility and gastric dilation through abdominal ultrasound. These assessments were performed on the previous day (m1), 20 min before surgery (m2), and at various time points following the administration of morphine or saline solution: one hour (m3), two hours (m4), four hours (m5), six hours (m6), and eight hours (m7) post-procedure for all three groups. There was no significant difference in pain score between OSM and OM, though OM had better sedation. Ultrasound revealed decreased colon contractions and minor gastric dilation in OSM and OM, normalizing within 6 h. Group M showed reduced motility and significant gastric dilation lasting 8 h. In conclusion, while morphine enhanced sedation without causing greater gastrointestinal dysfunction than OSM, its administration alone resulted in a more pronounced reduction in gastrointestinal motility and an increased risk of gastric dilation. Full article

Background/Objectives: The misuse of veterinary drugs is a growing concern, with increasing evidence of their presence in illicit drug markets and their use as alternatives to traditional substances. Methods: This study explores Reddit discussions on the misuse of veterinary drugs on Reddit, focusing on xylazine, carfentanil, medetomidine, pentobarbital, phenylbutazone, and acepromazine. Reddit was utilised for its abundant real-time data on users’ thoughts and experiences with substance misuse. Through a combination of manual and Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven thematic analysis, we examined posts and comments to explore patterns of misuse. Results: The themes analysed included adverse effects, polysubstance misuse, routes of administration, motivations for misuse, and methods of obtaining these drugs. Our findings revealed that xylazine, medetomidine, carfentanil, and pentobarbital exhibit significant potential for misuse, while phenylbutazone and acepromazine are not widely misused. Despite this, phenylbutazone and acepromazine have been identified as adulterants in the illicit drug supply in the United States. The most discussed themes included motivations for misuse, followed by public experiences and perceptions, as well as adverse effects. Conclusions: The dual-method approach of combining manual interpretation with AI analysis allowed for a comprehensive understanding of social media discussions. This research highlights the importance of monitoring online platforms for early indicators of emerging drug trends, offering valuable insights to inform public health policies and intervention strategies. Impact Statement: This research highlights the growing public health risk posed by veterinary drug misuse, underscoring the need for enhanced monitoring, regulatory frameworks, and education to address their diversion into illicit markets. By leveraging social media as an early detection tool for emerging drug trends, our findings can inform targeted interventions. Full article

Coagulopathy is common in equine critical illness, with its early recognition being crucial for patient management and prognosis. In vitro viscoelastic (VE) hypercoagulability with decreased RCM/PCV has been demonstrated in dogs but not horses. Our objective was to evaluate the effects of acepromazine-induced (0.1 mg/kg IV) decreased RCM on VE and plasma coagulation parameters using a prospective interventional study of eight adult horses. Complete blood count (CBC), fibrinogen, prothrombin time (PT), partial thromboplastin time (PTT), packed cell volume (PCV), total solids (TS), and VCM Vet™ VE testing performed at baseline (T0), 1 h (T1), and 12 h (T2) post acepromazine administration. Splenic volume was determined ultrasonographically. The results were analyzed using one-way repeated measures ANOVA with Tukey’s post hoc HSD test to determine the effect of time (sample). PCV decreased 13% points following acepromazine administration from T0 to T1 (p < 0.001), remaining decreased at T2 (p < 0.001). Splenic volume increased from T0 to T1 (p = 0.04) and was not different from baseline at T2. Maximal clot formation (MCF) increased from T0 (p = 0.03). PTT decreased from T0 to T1 and increased at T2 (p = 0.03). No other coagulation parameters were significantly altered. This study demonstrates a non-inflammatory acute model of anemia in horses that impacts VE and plasma-based testing. Full article

This study assessed the analgesic and motor effects of the GIN-TONIC block, a combination of the greater ischiatic notch plane block and the caudal lateral quadratus lumborum block, in 24 dogs undergoing pelvic limb surgery. Dogs were randomly divided into two equal groups: G_A received acepromazine [(20 µg kg⁻¹ intravenously (IV)] as premedication, and G_D received dexmedetomidine (2 µg kg⁻¹ IV). General anesthesia was maintained with isoflurane, and both groups received a GIN-TONIC block using 2% lidocaine. Nociception during surgery and postoperative pain [assessed using the Glasgow Composite Measure Pain Score (GCMPS-SF)] were assessed. Fentanyl (2 µg kg⁻¹ IV) was administered if nociception was noted and morphine (0.5 mg kg⁻¹ IV) was administered during recovery if the pain scores exceeded the predefined threshold. Motor function was assessed during the recovery period using descriptors previously reported. All dogs received analgesics at the 4 h mark before being discharged. Three and two dogs in G_D and G_A required fentanyl once. Postoperative pain scores remained ≤4/20 for all dogs except one. Dogs achieved non-ataxic ambulation within 38.9 ± 10.3 and 35.1 ± 11.1 min after extubation in G_D and G_A, respectively. This study highlighted the potential of the GIN-TONIC block as a feasible regional anesthesia method for delivering perioperative analgesia in dogs undergoing pelvic limb orthopedic surgery. Full article

The aim of this study was to determine the most appropriate sedation protocol for a standing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination in horses, comparing continuous rate infusions (CRIs) of detomidine and romifidine combined with a single bolus of morphine. Sixteen horses referred for standing low-field open-magnet MRI were randomly assigned to one of two sedation protocols. The horses were premedicated with 0.03 mg/kg of intramuscular acepromazine, and those animals belonging to Group D received an intravenous (IV) loading dose of detomidine (0.01 mg/kg) 30 min later, while those of Group R received romifidine (0.04 mg/kg). If the horses were inadequately sedated, an additional dose of IV detomidine (0.005 mg/kg) or romifidine (0.02 mg/kg) was administered, according to the animal’s group. During the MRI, a single IV bolus of morphine (0.05 mg/kg) was administered, and according to which group it belonged to, the animal started the administration of detomidine (0.01 mg/kg/h) or romifidine (0.02 mg/kg/h). Heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), rectal temperature (RT), depth of sedation, and degree of ataxia were evaluated every 10 min during MRI. Two horses belonging to Group D and four horses from Group R needed additional sedation before entering the MRI unit because they were unsatisfactorily sedated. No side effects were observed following morphine bolus administration. During the MRI procedure, five horses in Group R received an additional IV romifidine bolus (0.01 mg/kg) because the depth of sedation score was 1 and the ataxia score was 0. Any substantial differences were recorded between the two treatments in terms of HR, RR, and RT. In conclusion, at the doses used, a detomidine–morphine combination following a CRI of detomidine appears more suitable than a romifidine–morphine combination following a CRI of romifidine for maintaining an adequate depth of sedation and adequate immobility in horses undergoing standing MRI. Full article

Survey data from 42 Australian eastern seaboard veterinary practices involving 506 cases are reported with regard to clinical signs, disease severity, mortality, use of pharmaceuticals, and recovery times. New measures of disease severity (visual analogue scales (VAS) and facial expressions) were tested alongside “gold standard” measures (neuromuscular junction (NMJ) scores). Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to evaluate associations between variables. The VAS scores were progressive, prognostic (especially the respiratory scores) and correlated with the NMJ scores. The presence of inspiratory dyspnoea and crackles on the day of hospitalisation, progressing to expiratory dyspnoea and an expiratory wheeze 24 h later, were highly predictive of mortality. Altered facial features on hospital admission were also highly predictive of mortality. The previously used respiratory score (using various clinical signs) was not predictive of mortality. Older animals had a higher mortality rate, and no gender or breed susceptibility was found. The only pharmaceuticals that were positively associated with mortality were tick antiserum and, in severe cases, antibiotics. The use of many pharmaceutical products (acepromazine, atropine, steroids, antihistamines, antiemetics, diuretics, and S8 anti-anxiety and sedation drugs) had no effect on mortality. More drug classes were used with increasing clinical severity and specific factors (e.g., vomiting/retching, hydration) affected the period of hospitalisation. Geographic variation in respiratory signs and toxicity scores was evident, whereas mortality and disease severity were not different across regions. Full article

The main objective of this prospective, randomized, blind, cross-over experimental study was to evaluate the effect of classical music on the depth of sedation and propofol requirements for the induction of anaesthesia in dogs. Twenty dogs were involved, and each was subjected to three different treatments with a 3-month gap: Chopin music, Mozart music, and no music, via loudspeakers. The dogs were premedicated with acepromazine and butorphanol by intramuscular injection, and anaesthesia was induced using propofol intravenously. To compare the depth of sedation and propofol requirements for the induction of anaesthesia among the different treatments, we utilized non-parametric tests (Kruskal–Wallis test) for the depth of sedation due to a slight deviation from the normal distribution and parametric (ANOVA) for propofol requirements. When exposed to music (Chopin or Mozart), dogs exhibited deeper sedation and required less propofol for their intubation compared to the no-music treatment (p < 0.05). Exposure to classical music had a positive impact on the level of sedation, and more profound central nervous system depression seemed to contribute to approximately 20% lower propofol dose requirements for tracheal intubation. Therefore, classical music during the preoperative period appeared to exert a beneficial effect, at least when applying the specific pre-anaesthetic medications used in the present study. Full article

The Apennine chamois (Rupicapra pyrenaica ornata) is one of the rarest subspecies in Italy, listed in Annexes II and IV of the Habitats Directive and currently included as a vulnerable subspecies in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. The Maiella National Park population has recently been defined as a source population for reintroduction into other parks. Since collective captures allow for better selection of target animals for the establishment of new colonies, the aim of this study is to evaluate the physiological conditions and animal welfare in free-ranging Apennine chamois after collective physical capture followed by chemical immobilization with medetomidine 0.054 mg ± 0.007, ketamine 2.14 mg ± 0.28, and acepromazine 0.043 mg ± 0.006. Twenty-one Apennine chamois (18 females and 3 males) were captured and translocated for conservation purposes. The effects of capture and anesthesia were evaluated using clinical variables, hematology, serum biochemistry, and venous blood gas analysis, the latter being used in the field for the first time in chamois capture. A risk of metabolic acidosis and capture myopathy was identified, although it did not compromise the survival of 19 chamois, which adapted to novel environments and founded new colonies, as verified through GPS radiocollars. The protocol applied in this study represents an innovative approach to assessing animal physiology and welfare in collective mountain ungulate captures, useful for improving management activities for conservation purposes. Full article

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of intratesticular or intrafunicular lidocaine to reduce perioperative nociception and cytokine release in ponies undergoing field castration under total intravenous anaesthesia. Before castration, one group was injected with intrafunicular (FL) lidocaine and the other received intratesticular (TL) lidocaine. All ponies were premedicated with acepromazine (0.05 mg/kg) intramuscularly. Twenty minutes after the administration of acepromazine, xylazine (1 mg/kg) and butorphanol (0.02 mg/kg) were administered intravenously. Lidocaine 2% was given 1 mL/100 kg intrafunicularly in the FL groups or 2 mL/100 kg intratesticularly on each testicular side for TL. Surgery was performed by the same team of two experienced surgeons using Serra’s emasculator and an open technique was used for all ponies in order to promote postoperative drainage. In this study, we focused on the plasmatic levels of TNF-α and IL-6. The results from this study showed a significant difference in plasmatic concentrations of TNF-α and IL-6 between the two different locoregional anaesthetic protocols. Taken together, the results suggest that the intrafunicular lidocaine locoregional anaesthesia could be a useful technique in the anaesthesia protocol for field pony castration. Full article

The aim of this prospective, non-randomized study was to evaluate the effect of nine different premedication medications on the incidence of gastroesophageal reflux (GOR) in anesthetized dogs. Two hundred and seventy dogs undergoing non-intrathoracic, non-intrabdominal elective surgeries or invasive diagnostic procedures were included in the study, and were allocated into nine groups (30 dogs/group) defined by the type of premedication administered. Premedication consisted of dexmedetomidine with either morphine, pethidine or butorphanol, acepromazine with either one of the three opioids or midazolam with one of the above-mentioned opioids. Anesthesia was induced with propofol and maintained with isoflurane in oxygen. Esophageal pH was measured with the use of a pH-meter electrode and a pH-value less than 4 and over 7.5 was considered to be GOR. The study revealed that 119/270 (44.1%) dogs experienced a reflux episode during anesthesia. The incidence of reflux did not differ among groups (p = 0.117). In group AB the dogs refluxed within 10 min of the beginning of pH-measurements, in comparison with group DB in which dogs refluxed within 30 min (p = 0.029). Invasive diagnostic procedures had a lower incidence of GOR in comparison to castrations (p = 0.09). The outcome of the study suggests that none of the opioids used increased the incidence of GOR in anesthetized dogs. Full article

Bupivacaine is commonly used for peripheral nerve block in veterinary medicine. This study described the pharmacokinetics of two doses of bupivacaine following administration by an ultrasound-guided transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block in cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy. Twelve healthy female adult cats were included in a randomized, prospective, blinded clinical trial. Anaesthetic protocol included acepromazine–buprenorphine–propofol–isoflurane–meloxicam. Each cat received 1 mL/kg of bupivacaine 0.2% or 0.25% (BUPI-2 and BUPI-2.5, respectively) via bilateral two-point TAP block before surgery (n = 6/group). Plasma concentrations of bupivacaine were detected using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. A one-compartment model and non-compartmental analysis described the pharmacokinetic parameters. Bupivacaine was detected up to 480 min (335 ± 76 in BUPI-2 and 485 ± 198 ng/mL in BUPI-2.5). For BUPI-2 and BUPI-2.5, maximum plasma concentrations were 1166 ± 511 and 1810 ± 536 ng/mL at 33 ± 14 and 47 ± 22 min, clearance was 5.3 ± 1.8 and 4.9 ± 1.5 mL/min/kg, and elimination half-life were 253 ± 55 and 217 ± 52 min, respectively. The two doses of bupivacaine via TAP block produced concentrations below toxic levels in cats. A dose of 2.5 mg/kg bupivacaine was safe to be administered using this block in healthy cats. Full article

The objective was to demonstrate walking locomotor pattern alterations after co-administration of acepromazine and morphine in horses. Six mature horses receiving four different treatments were used. Treatments consisted of a single dose of saline solution, 0.2 mg/kg bwt of morphine hydrochloride, 0.02 mg/kg bwt of acepromazine maleate, and a combination of 0.2 mg/kg bwt of morphine hydrochloride with 0.02 mg/kg bwt of acepromazine maleate. A three-dimensional accelerometric device was used to collect data. Walking tests were performed 10 min prior to injection, and then at 5, 10, 15, and 20 min after the injection, and then every 10 min for 3 h. Eight variables were calculated including stride kinematic, coordination, and energetic parameters; moreover ground-to-lip distance (GLD), as a tranquilization parameter, was also measured. A significant interaction was observed in all the variables studied but regularity, mediolateral power, the propulsive part of the power, and the GLD. An evident counteraction of the effects caused by both, opioids and phenothiazines, in the gait pattern was observed. The co-administration of acepromazine and morphine could allow a safe opiate administration while minimizing the possible central nervous system (CNS) excitation and reducing potential locomotor adverse effects. Full article

The aim of this prospective clinical trial was to compare the influence of butorphanol, buprenorphine and levomethadone on sedation quality and postoperative analgesia in horses undergoing cheek tooth extraction. Fifty horses were assigned to three groups prior to oral cheek tooth extraction. Horses were treated with acepromazine, followed by a detomidine bolus, one of the three opioids and both a nerve block and gingival anaesthesia. During the surgery, sedation was maintained with a detomidine constant rate infusion. After surgery, the quality of sedation, surgical conditions and severity of the extraction were assessed with a numerical rating scale. To evaluate differences in the quality of analgesia between the three treatments, postoperative pain was estimated with the Equine Utrecht University Scale for Facial Assessment of Pain. Additionally, several parameters that are associated with dental pain were added to this validated pain score, and blood samples were taken to measure serum cortisol. Our analysis showed lower pain scores and a greater analgesic effect with levomethadone and buprenorphine compared with butorphanol, with increased locomotor activity induced by buprenorphine. While cortisol values demonstrated higher response in horses treated with levomethadone and buprenorphine compared to butorphanol, these values could be biased by unrelated stressors. Full article

To compare arterial blood pressure (ABP) measured invasively (IBP) to ABP measured non-invasively (NIBP) via oscillometry in healthy anaesthetised and standing horses using the Bionet BM7Vet. Fourteen horses were anaesthetised for elective procedures (anaesthetised group) and 10 horses were enrolled for standing blood pressure manipulation (standing group). In both groups, IBP and NIBP-corrected to heart level were measured every 3 min using the Bionet BM7Vet. The overall mean difference (bias), standard deviation and limits of agreement (LOA) were calculated for paired IBP and NIBP systolic (SAP), mean (MAP) and diastolic (DAP) blood pressure measurements. In anaesthetised horses, the NIBP cuff was placed at either the proximal tail base or the metacarpus. Invasive MAP was used to retrospectively characterise measurements into hypotensive (≤70 mm Hg), normotensive (71–110 mm Hg) or hypertensive (≥111 mm Hg) subgroups. In standing horses, the NIBP cuff was placed at the tail base only and invasive MAP was manipulated to achieve hypertension (≥126 mm Hg) and hypotension (≤90 mm Hg) using phenylephrine and acepromazine, respectively. When measuring NIBP at the tail in anaesthetised horses, the Bionet BM7Vet failed on 8/185 occasions and overestimated SAP, MAP and DAP during hypotension and normotension. The biases (lower, upper LOA) for MAP were −11.4 (−33.3, 10.5) and −6.0 (−25.8, 13.8) mm Hg, respectively. Hypertension could not be evaluated. When measuring NIBP at the metacarpus in anaesthetised horses, the Bionet BM7Vet failed on 24/65 occasions and underestimated SAP, MAP and DAP when all ABP subgroups were combined. The bias (lower, upper LOA) for pooled MAP was 3.6 (−44.3, 51.6) mm Hg. When measuring NIBP at the tail in standing horses, the Bionet BM7Vet failed on 64/268 occasions and underestimated SAP, MAP and DAP during hypotension, normotension and hypertension. The biases (lower, upper LOA) for MAP were 16.3 (−10.5, 43.1), 16.6 (−19.5, 52.7) and 30.0 (−8.1, 68.0) mm Hg, respectively. Monitoring NIBP on the Bionet BM7Vet in anaesthetised horses overestimated ABP at the tail and underestimated ABP at the metacarpus. The device inaccurately detected hypotension and should be used cautiously. In standing horses, the Bionet BM7Vet underestimated ABP at the tail, especially during pharmacologically induced hypertension. Full article