Effect of urethral infusion of atracurium besylate on manual bladder expression in dogs and cats with spinal cord injuries: a randomised trial

Abstract

The aim of this randomised trial was to assess the effect of urethral infusion of atracurium besylate in dogs and cats with signs of urinary retention secondary to lesions affecting spinal cord segments T3-L3. Eighteen dogs and six cats with urinary retention were examined and scored before treatment on the degree of difficulty of inducing bladder emptying by manual bladder compression. Animals were subsequently treated in a blinded fashion by the same operator with urethral infusion of 2-4 ml of either a solution of 0.5 mg/ml of atracurium (treatment group) or placebo (control group) and, after five minutes, a second attempt was made to induce bladder emptying by manual compression and a post-treatment score assigned. Pretreatment scores did not differ between the treatment and control groups (5.6±0.8 v 6.2±0.7, respectively; P=0.22); however, post-treatment scores were significantly lower in the treatment group compared with the control group (2.9±0.4 v 5.9±0.3; P<0.05). Urethral infusion of atracurium facilitates manual bladder expression in dogs and cats with urinary retention secondary to spinal cord injuries. No side effects were recognised.

Anti‑inflammatory effect of delphinidin on intramedullary spinal pressure in a spinal cord injury rat model

“…The high disability and mortality rates of SCI often have a huge physiological and psychological effect on individuals, their families and society (2). However, there is no effective treatment due to the complicated pathophysiological mechanism of SCI, although numerous clinical and animal studies have been conducted (3,4).…”

Generalised neuromuscular blockade after intraurethral administration of atracurium besilate in a male cat with urethral obstruction

“…No studies currently exist describing the pharmacokinetic profile of atracurium when routes of administration other than iv are used, but alternative neuromuscular blocking drugs (succinylcholine, pancuronium and alcuronium) can result in systemic effects when administered extravascularly (Moore et al 1989, Iwasaki et al 1992, Mikaelian et al 1994, so it is certainly plausible that the same could happen with atracurium. However, Galluzzi et al (2012Galluzzi et al ( , 2015 did not observe adverse reactions from intraurethral administration of the drug, but case numbers were relatively limited: 25 cats in one study (Galluzzi et al (2012)) and nine dogs and three cats in a second study (Galluzzi et al (2015)). Therefore, if it is assumed that systemic absorption from the urethra is uncommon, it may not have occurred in these groups of animals.…”

“…(2012)) and nine dogs and three cats in a second study (Galluzzi et al . (2015)). Therefore, if it is assumed that systemic absorption from the urethra is uncommon, it may not have occurred in these groups of animals.…”

“…However, Galluzzi et al . (2012, 2015) did not observe adverse reactions from intraurethral administration of the drug, but case numbers were relatively limited: 25 cats in one study (Galluzzi et al . (2012)) and nine dogs and three cats in a second study (Galluzzi et al .…”