Objectives The objective of this study was to compare the sedative effect of butorphanol-dexmedetomidine with buprenorphine-dexmedetomidine following intramuscular (IM) administration in cats. Methods Using a prospective, randomised, blinded design, 40 client-owned adult cats were assigned to receive IM dexmedetomidine (10 µg/kg) combined with either butorphanol (0.4 mg/kg) ('BUT' group) or buprenorphine (20 µg/kg) ('BUP' group). Sedation was scored using a previously published multidimensional composite scale before administration (T0) and 5, 10, 15 and 20 mins afterwards (T5, T10, T15 and T20, respectively). Alfaxalone (1.5 mg/kg) was administered IM at T20 if the cat was not deemed adequately sedated to place an intravenous catheter. Adverse events were recorded. Friedman two-way ANOVA analysed sedation scores within groups. Mann-Whitney Rank Sum test compared sedation scores between groups; Fisher's exact test analysed the frequency of alfaxalone administration and adverse events. P <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Sedation scores between groups were similar at baseline, but at T5, T10, T15 and T20 scores were higher in the BUT group ( P <0.01). Within both groups, sedation scores changed over time and the highest sedation scores were reached at T10. Requirement for additional sedation was similar between groups: two cats in the BUT group and five cats in the BUP group. One cat and 11 cats vomited ( P = 0.002) in the BUT and BUP groups, respectively. No other adverse events were recorded. Conclusions and relevance At these doses, IM buprenorphine-dexmedetomidine provides inferior sedation and a higher incidence of vomiting than butorphanol-dexmedetomidine in cats. Butorphanol-dexmedetomidine may be preferred for feline sedation, especially where vomiting is contraindicated.
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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