No abstract

The minimum alveolar concentration of desflurane when combined with a continuous infusion of medetomidine at 3.5 microg/kg/hour was measured in seven ponies. Anaesthesia was induced with medetomidine (7 microg/kg intravenously) followed by ketamine (2 mg/kg intravenously) and maintained with desflurane in oxygen. The infusion of medetomidine was started 20 minutes after the induction of anaesthesia. The electrical test stimulus was applied at the coronary band (50 V, 10 ms bursts at 5 Hz for one minute), and heart rates and rhythms, arterial blood pressures, and arterial blood gas tensions were measured at intervals, just before the application of the stimulus. The mean (sd) minimum alveolar concentration of desflurane was 5.3 (1.04) per cent (range 3.2 to 6.4 per cent), 28 per cent less than the previously published value for desflurane alone after the induction of anaesthesia with xylazine and ketamine. The cardiopulmonary parameters remained stable throughout the period of anaesthesia. The mean (sd) time taken by the ponies to stand after the administration of desflurane ceased was 16.5 (6.17) (range 5.8 to 26) minutes, and the quality of recovery was good or excellent. However, one pony died shortly after standing; a postmortem examination revealed that it had chronic left atrial dilatation.

The objectives of this study were a description of the practical implementation of the painless castration under inhalational anaesthesia with an objective assessment of animal welfare, workplace safety and time exposure. 600 questionnaires were sent to farmers all over Switzerland and 100 farms were visited during castration under inhalation anaesthesia. 44 % of the visited farmers administered analgetics during anaesthesia or less than 10 minutes before castration. 14 % of the piglets were insufficiently anaesthetised (moving or vocalising) and 18 % showed stronger bleeding tendency after castration. The mortality rate was less than 0.1 %. 22 % of the swine farmers reported headache or dizziness during or after castration work. The Isoflurane level on 2 farms was above the Swiss safety limits. The time needed for castration was with 4.3 minutes clearly above the time necessary without anaesthesia. The additional financial costs and time are at the moment not adequately compensated to the farmers.

No abstract

The aim of this study was to describe the practical implementation of the painless castration under injection anaesthesia in Switzerland. 30 swine farms were visited and 60 farmers answered a questionnaire. 34 % of the piglets showed movements during castration under injection anaesthesia and 17 % had excitations during recovery from anaesthesia. After 48 minutes half of the piglets were in sternal position and after 112 minutes half of them showed coordinated movements. The body temperature decreased by 3.1 °C until 60 minutes after castration, especially small piglets reached critical temperature levels. 38 % of the piglets showed strong bleeding after castration. The healing of the wound was good according to 82 % of the farmers. 83 % of the farmers reported piglet losses, especially at the beginning of the anaesthesia period. The anaesthesia may be improved by using butorphanol in addition to the combination of ketamine and azaperone. The recovery of the piglets should be in a warm place without any risk of injury by obstacles or the sow. Increased bleeding can be controlled by using an emasculator.