General anaesthesia is known to be associated with the risk of cardiopulmonary depression, therefore the use of a safer means of anaesthesia as an alternative has to be explored. Epidural anaesthesia technique is known for its simplicity, safety and effectiveness and is one of the most frequently used regional anesthetic techniques described for surgical procedures caudal to the umbilicus in small animal practice. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of lumbo-sacral epidural injection of a mixture of 7.5 mg/kg of 2% lignocaine solution and 0.2 mg/kg 0.5% diazepam solution in 10 apparently healthy Nigerian local dogs undergoing caudectomy. Onset of neural blocked recorded was 6.5 ± 1.35 min (mean ± SD), duration of analgesia was 54.4 ± 5.38 min (mean ± SD) and duration of recumbency was 115.1 ± 36.1min (mean ± SD). Changes observed in the Pulse rate (PR), Mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), Respiratory rate (RR) and Rectal temperature (RT) were recorded at 10 min intervals throughout the duration of the procedure. There were no significant differences (p>0.05) in the mean physiological parameters observed as compared to the baseline values. Blood samples were also taken at 15 min interval throughout the duration of the procedure to determine the effects of the epidurally administered lignocaine-diazepam combination on haematological and serum biochemical indices. No significant differences (p>0.05) were observed in the mean haematological (PCV, RBC, WBC, Hb and CBC) and serum biochemical indices (ALT, ALP, Creatinine and BUN).  It was concluded that epidurally administered lignocaine-diazepam mixture at 7.5 mg/kg and 0.2 mg/kg respectively had a fast onset of neural blockade, adequate and long duration of analgesia without profound effects on haemodynamic and cardiopulmonary system.

Dystocia in small ruminants mostly occurs when the first or second stage of parturition is delayed. It may occur when the first stage could not progress to the second stage within 30 minutes. In this report, a 2-year-old Yankasa ewe weighing 40 kg was presented at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Veterinary Teaching Hospital Sokoto with complaints of straining and protruded mass around the vulva which was noticed 12 hours prior to presentation. Clinical examination revealed dullness, straining, a pinkish protruded mass through the vulva and pregnancy in the last trimester. Laboratory results indicated no parasite, leukocytosis, neutrophilia, eosinophilia and bandemia. Manual obstetrical maneuvers were applied to deliver the fetuses but failed. The lambs were delivered through cesarean section and the prolapsed vagina was surgically managed. The dystocia was strongly believed to have occurred in this case due to faulty fetal disposition which subsequently led to vaginal prolapse as a result of unsuccessful straining in attempt to deliver. This case report indicated that vaginal prolapse may occur as a sequela to prolonged unsuccessful straining. The conditions were managed successfully without intra and postoperative complications and relapse.

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Epidural anaesthesia is one of the most frequently used regional anesthetic techniques recommended for surgical procedures caudal to the umbilicus in dogs. However, the use of lignocaine alone for epidural regional analgesia has been discovered to have shorter duration of analgesia and prolong onset of action, hence there is need to explore combinations of agents that will overcome this challenge. This study aimed to evaluate the anaesthetic/analgesic effect of cranial epidural anaesthesia in dogs undergoing cystotomy using Lignocaine in combination with acepromazine at the dose rates of 7 mg/kg and 0.05 mg/kg respectively.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> Eight apparently healthy matured, male and female dogs were used for the experiment. The onset and duration of analgesia was determined. The pulse rates, respiratory rates, mean arterial blood pressure, rectal temperature, complete blood count and the oxygen saturation level were determined at baseline, intra operative and post-operative.  </p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> There were no significant differences in all the parameters measured before and after the epidural administration of the agents. The onset of anaesthesia was rapid and the duration of anaesthesia was sufficient enough for the procedure to be carried out. However, there was significant difference in PCV, Hb and total RBC count between the baseline and other timing intervals. There were no significant differences in leucocytic and cardiopulmonary parameters between the baseline and other timing intervals.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> The epidural administration of lignocaine and acepromazine combination at the doses indicated can produced sufficient epidural anaesthesia with rapid onset for the purpose of cystotomy in dogs without major systemic influence on hemodynamic and cardiopulmonary changes.</p>

Resumo Objetivo Diversos modelos animais têm sido usados em estudos sobre enxertos ósseos e o tratamento de fraturas, mas as respostas hematológicas são raramente relatadas. Este estudo descreveu as alterações hematológicas observadas em coelhos submetidos a xenoenxertos de matriz óssea desmineralizada caprina (MODC). Métodos Vinte e quatro (24) coelhos machos (2,5 ± 0,5 kg) foram adquiridos para este estudo e divididos aleatoriamente em três grupos: enxerto ósseo autólogo (EOA); controle negativo sem preenchimento (SP) e matriz óssea desmineralizada caprina (MODC). Amostras de sangue foram coletadas por punção cardíaca sob anestesia com xilazina-quetamina no dia 0 (para estabelecimento dos valores basais) e aos dias 28 e 56 após a cirurgia; essas amostras foram submetidas à análise manual em até 2 horas após a coleta. A análise estatística foi composta por análise de variância (ANOVA) de dois fatores com medidas repetidas, e o valor de p < 0,05 foi considerado significativo. Resultados Houve uma diferença geral significativa nos números de leucócitos totais (p = 0,0043), neutrófilos (p < 0,0001), monócitos (p = 0,0184) e hemácias (p = 0,003), na concentração de hemoglobina (p < 0,0001) e no hematócrito (p < 0,0001) ao longo dos dias e entre os grupos de tratamento. No entanto, não houve diferença global significativa no número de linfócitos (p = 0,4923), basófilos (p = 0,4183) e eosinófilos (p = 0,4806) entre os dias. Conclusão A resposta ao enxerto de MODC em coelhos é, portanto, caracterizada por leucocitose intensa com neutrofilia, linfocitose e monocitose no 28° dia após o procedimento. Esses dados podem basear a utilização da hematologia no monitoramento da resposta corporal em modelos animais de enxerto ósseo.

with the complaint of difficulty in parturition. History revealed the ewe had been straining for 3 days prior to the presentation without successfully lambing. Physical examination revealed the ewe was weak, depressed, recumbent and intermittently straining with pale ocular mucus membrane. A limb was seen protruding from the vulva with lochial discharge. A dead foetus with two heads was delivered through caeserian section. Radiological examination revealed incomplete twining from the atlas bone caudally. One hour after surgery, the dam also died. Post mortem examination revealed poor nutritional condition of the dam and its rumen impacted with 3.8 kg weight of polythene. Pinpoint haemorrhages on the uterine wall and uterine lumen lined with pus extending to the uterine horn were observed. This report shows that dicephalic foetus is detrimental to sustainable livestock production. In addition, the delay in seeking veterinary care caused the septicemia seen and led to the death of the dam and foetus.