Background: Ultrasound-guided serratus plane block (UGSPB) is a loco-regional anesthesia technique designed to desensitize the thoracic wall. It is a compartmental block, where local anesthetic is delivered to the fascial, intermuscular plane. Since its original description in humans, two cadaveric veterinary studies, redefining the technique, have been performed. Taking into account the successful use of the UGSPB in human medicine, we employed the veterinary description to perform this block in four dogs undergoing thoracotomy. The case series described below aims to share our experience of the clinical application of this new loco-regional anesthesia technique in dogs. Case Description: Four dogs, with different underlying medical conditions underwent cranial lateral thoracotomy. The analgesia protocol consisted of intravenous methadone and UGSPB performed half an hour before the beginning of the procedure. The cardiovascular system was closely monitored for any signs of nociception. Fentanyl, although available as rescue analgesia, was not required in any of these cases as no signs of nociception were present. Conclusion: To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first veterinary clinical report using the UGSPB as a part of a multimodal analgesia protocol in dogs undergoing thoracotomy. Based on this observation, UGSPB has the potential to prevent nociception and reduce the intraoperative opioid requirements in dogs undergoing thoracotomy. A prospective randomized clinical trial is required to confirm these promising results.

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A 3‐month‐old female Cocker Spaniel was presented for investigation of a V/VI left basilar heart murmur and diagnosed with a double‐chambered right ventricle. Atenolol was prescribed for 3 months before surgical correction of the congenital anomaly, combining cutting balloon and high‐pressure balloon (CB‐HPB) dilation. A few days before the intervention, the dog showed signs of right‐sided congestive heart failure and it was treated with furosemide, benazepril/spironolactone and pleural effusion were drained. During CB‐HPB dilation, cardiac index and systemic arterial blood pressure suddenly decreased on two occasions probably secondary to a dynamic right ventricular outflow tract obstruction. Cardiac arrest occurred and cardiopulmonary resuscitation was unsuccessful.

ObjectivesTo assess the effects of extradural anaesthesia-analgesia (EAA) in dogs undergoing cholecystectomy.Materials and methodsMedical records of dogs undergoing cholecystectomy between 2011 and 2019 were retrieved and allocated to two groups depending if analgesia was provided systemically (group SA) or extradurally (EAA). Preoperative data, intraoperative antinociceptive medications, postoperative analgesia, perioperative complications, and food intake were compared.ResultsOverall 41 medical records were included in the study: 19 and 22 dogs were allocated to groups SA and EAA, respectively. In group EAA, an extradural catheter was placed preoperatively in 8 dogs; in the remaining, it was placed postoperatively but an extradural injection was performed preoperatively. The extradural catheter tip was between the 4th lumbar and the 10th thoracic vertebrae. Intraoperatively, nociception was more likely to occur in group SA [OR 55.42 (2.97–1,035.06)]. During the first 24 and 48 h postoperatively, more dogs in group SA required methadone [OR 24 (2.81–268.4) and OR 11.56 (2.37–45.06), respectively] and additional analgesic drugs [OR 25 (3.47–281.9) and OR 35.29 (1.86–668.2), respectively] compared to group EAA. Voluntary postoperative food intake was also significantly higher in group EAA.Clinical significanceCompared to systemic analgesia, the use of extradural anaesthesia-analgesia reduced perioperative analgesic requirement and promoted postoperative food intake in dogs undergoing cholecystectomy.