No abstract

Physiological parameters, metabolic parameters and stress-related hormones are evaluated in horses anaesthetized with isoflurane in oxygen combined with lidocaine intravenously. Two groups of horses anaesthetized with isoflurane (six horses in each group) were studied: a lidocaine group (IL), which received intravenous lidocaine and a control group (C), which received intravenous saline. Horses in both groups were premedicated with detomidine (i.v.), and anaesthesia was induced with midazolam-ketamine (i.v.). The lidocaine group received intravenous lidocaine as a loading dose of 2.5 mg kg(-1) at 15 min after induction of anaesthesia directly followed by a maintenance dosage of 50 microg kg(-1) min(-1), while the control group received saline (i.v.) following the same regime. End-tidal isoflurane and standard physiological parameters were measured. Blood was sampled for measurement of lidocaine, stress hormones and metabolic parameters. The end-tidal isoflurane concentration in the lidocaine group was 0.96 +/- 0.06% versus 1.28 +/- 0.06% (mean +/- SD) in the control group, a significant (P < 0.05) reduction of 25%. No significant differences were found regarding stress-related hormones, metabolic and physiological parameters. This study suggests that the use of lidocaine to decrease the concentration of isoflurane to obtain a sufficient surgical anaesthesia has no subsequent effects on physiological and metabolic parameters or stress-related hormones.

The study was conducted to study the effect of acepromazine and midazolam along with ketamin on haematological parameters in yak. Twelve clinically healthy yaks of either sex and below 2 years of age from yak farm of ICAR-National Research Centre on Yak, Dirang, Arunachal Pradesh were selected for the study. Yak were randomly divided into two groups, Group AK and Group MK i.e. six animals in each group. The animals in Group AK received acepromazine @0.1mg/kg body weight IM followed by ketamine @2.5mg/kg body weight IM after 15 minutes and the animals in Group MK received midazolam @0.5mg/kg body weight IM followed by ketamine @2.5mg/kg body weight IM after 15 minutes. Venous blood samples were collected at 0 (baseline) and at 15, 30, 60 and 90 minutes after administration of anaesthetic agents to monitor the haematological parameters which included haemoglobin, packed cell volume, total erythrocyte count and total leukocyte count. The changes in haematological parameters in both the group were within the normal physiological limit. Based on the findings, both the anaesthetic combinations were found safe to be used in yak.

Objective To compare the efficacy and cardiopulmonary effects of propofol and fentanyl, with propofol and midazolam for total intravenous anaesthesia.Study Design Prospective, randomized, crossover experimental study.Animals Six healthy goats; 3 does and 3 wethers. ). MethodsCardiopulmonary function was well maintained with both treatments. Recovery times in minutes from the end of anaesthetic infusion for treatments FP and MP respectively were; to extubation 3.0 (3.0-3.0) and 4.5 (3.3-5.0); to sternal position, 4.5 (3.3-5.0) and 5.0 (5.0-6.5) and to standing 13.0 (10.3-15.0) and 15.0 (11.3-17.3). Quality of recovery was acceptable in both groups, but abnormal behavioural signs were observed after treatment FP. Conclusions and clinical relevanceTotal intravenous anaesthesia with propofol and fentanyl or propofol and midazolam, at the doses studied, in spontaneously-breathing, oxygen-supplemented goats is practicable. Recovery from the fentanyl-propofol combination is not always smooth.

Objectives To compare the anaesthetic, analgesic and cardiorespiratory effects of intramuscular (IM) medetomidine and ketamine administered alone or combined with morphine or tramadol, for orchiectomy in cats.Study Design Randomised, blinded, prospective clinical study.Animals Thirty client-owned cats. oxygen tension (mean ± SD: 66 ± 2 mmHg) was low, and, surgery increased systolic arterial blood pressure (p<0.001), haemoglobin saturation (p<0.001), respiratory (p=0.003) and heart rates (p=0.002), and decreased end-tidal carbon dioxide (p=0.003). Pain scores did not differ significantly between groups. Von Frey responses decreased over time, changes over time varied by treatment (p<0.001), the MedK group returning to baseline values more rapidly than MedKM and MedKT. None of the cats required rescue analgesics. Materials and Methods Conclusion and Clinical RelevanceAll three protocols provide adequate anaesthesia and analgesia for orchiectomy in cats. However, rescue intervention to maintain surgical anaesthesia such as isoflurane may be required in some cats. Oxygen supplementation is advised.

Goats are rarely anaesthetised; consequently, scant information is available on the efficacy of anaesthetic drugs in this species. Alfaxalone is a relatively new anaesthetic agent, of which the efficacy in goats has not yet been studied. In this study, the sedative and alfaxalone sparing effects of midazolam and butorphanol, administered alone or concomitantly, in goats were assessed. Eight clinically healthy goats, four does and four wethers, were enlisted in a randomised crossover manner to receive intramuscular sedative treatments consisting of saline 0.05 mL/kg, or midazolam 0.30 mg/kg, or butorphanol 0.10 mg/kg, or a combination of midazolam 0.30 mg/kg with butorphanol 0.10 mg/kg before intravenous induction of general anaesthesia with alfaxalone. Following induction, the goats were immediately intubated and the quality of anaesthesia and basic physiological cardiorespiratory and blood-gas parameters were assessed until the goats had recovered from anaesthesia. The degree of sedation, quality of induction and recovery were scored. When compared with saline (3.00 mg/kg), midazolam,administered alone or with butorphanol, caused a statistically significant increased level of sedation and a reduction in the amount of alfaxalone required for induction (2.00 mg/kg and 1.70 mg/kg, respectively). Butorphanol alone (2.30 mg/kg) did not cause significant changes in level of sedation or alfaxalone-induction dose. During induction and recovery, the goats were calm following all treatments, including the control group. Cardiorespiratory and blood-gas parameters were maintained within clinically acceptable limits. The present study showed that midazolam, administered alone or combined with butorphanol, produces a degree of sedation that significantly reduces the dose of alfaxalone required for induction of general anaesthesia in goats, without causing any major adverse cardiorespiratory effects.

Two of 348 horses that underwent gastrointestinal surgery under general anaesthesia developed perforations in their tracheas caused by the endotracheal tube. In one case the damage was probably caused when the horse was being moved from the induction room for surgery and excessive traction was exerted on the tube when the anaesthetic machine was moved too far ahead of the horse. The trachea of the other horse may have been damaged when it was intubated.

Two of 348 horses that underwent gastrointestinal surgery under general anaesthesia developed perforations in their tracheas caused by the endotracheal tube. In one case the damage was probably caused when the horse was being moved from the induction room for surgery and excessive traction was exerted on the tube when the anaesthetic machine was moved too far ahead of the horse. The trachea of the other horse may have been damaged when it was intubated.