Laryngeal function in normal dogs administered isoflurane following partial clearance of alfaxalone or propofol

ObjectiveTo assess laryngeal function in normal dogs administered isoflurane following partial clearance of alfaxalone or propofol.Study designRandomized experimental crossover study.AnimalsA group of 12 purpose-bred, male Beagle dogs.MethodsDogs were randomly assigned to one of two treatments: alfaxalone–isoflurane (ALF-ISO) or propofol–isoflurane (PRO-ISO) and anesthetized for three video laryngoscopy examinations. The alternate treatment occurred after ≥ 14 days interval. Examinations were performed after induction of anesthesia (LS-A), after 20 minutes of breathing isoflurane via a facemask (LS-B) and after a further 20 minutes of isoflurane (LS-C). Parameters of objective laryngeal function included inspiratory rima glottidis surface area (RGSA-I), expiratory rima glottidis surface area (RGSA-E) and % RGSA increase, calculated from three consecutive respiratory cycles in the final 15 seconds of each video laryngoscopy examination. The % RGSA increase was calculated using [(RGSA-I – RGSA-E)/RGSA-E] × 100. Subjective laryngeal function was evaluated independently by two experienced surgeons blinded to treatment.ResultsThe % RGSA increase within each treatment was greater for LS-B and LS-C than for LS-A (ALF-ISO: p = 0.03, PRO-ISO: p = < 0.001). There was no difference within each treatment from LS-B compared with LS-C. RGSA-I increased within each treatment from LS-A to both LS-B and LS-C (ALF-ISO: p = 0.002) and to LS-C (PRO-ISO: p = 0.006). Subjective laryngeal function scores improved from LS-A to LS-C.Conclusions and clinical relevanceLaryngeal function improved from postinduction examination following either 20 or 40 minutes of anesthesia with isoflurane via facemask. This study demonstrates that isoflurane may have a lesser effect on arytenoid abduction activity compared with more commonly used intravenous induction anesthetics (alfaxalone and propofol).     

Gastric perforation associated with administration of ibuprofen in a dog.

A 3-year-old Chow Chow was examined because of a 2-week history of vomiting and anorexia after administration of 200 mg of ibuprofen. Peritoneal effusion and free gas within the peritoneal cavity were observed on radiography of the abdomen. A full-thickness perforation of the pyloric antrum and pylorus were detected during exploratory laparotomy, and a Billroth-I gastroduodenostomy was performed successfully.     

SCINTIGRAPHIC ASSESSMENT OF DISTAL EXTREMITY PERFUSION IN 17 PATIENTS

To assess the role of scintigraphic evaluation of distal limb perfusion, the medical records and scintigraphic perfusion images of 17 animals(8dogs, 2cats, 2calves, 4birds and 1 ferret) with clinical signs of distal limb ischemia were examined retrospectively. Images were obtained at 5 and 10 minutes following injection of ^99m Tc-MDP, or ^99mTc-DTPA. The initial scintigraphic diagnoses of 17 animals included complete ischemia(8/17), partially reduced perfusion(5/17), and normal to increased perfusion(4/17). In 4 of the animals with partially reduced perfusion, follow-up scans indicatd progression to complete ischemia(1/4) or normal to increased perfusion(3/4). Nine of 17 animals had a final scintigraphic diagnosis of complete distal limb ischemia, and these animals were either euthanized(5/9)or had limb amputation(4/9).A final diagnosis of complete ischemia was supported with either repeat scanning(3/10), continued clinical observation(6/10)and /or pathological examination(10/10).Clinical Scintigraphy provided a safe and noninvasive assessment of distal limb perfusison, which corresponded with clinical outcome.     

Hind limb lameness in the mature dog.

This article describes the differential diagnosis of hind limb lameness in adult dogs with common clinical presentations and diagnostic methods outlined.     

Management of fractures in small animals.

Fracture repair in small animals has arrived at a crossroads because of advances in fracture repair and client demands. Research into bone healing and repair techniques, collective professional experience,economics, and client demands are obligating veterinarians to greater expertise in the actual act of repairing fractures. The influx of surgery specialists into burgeoning private practices has improved access to specialty service beyond what the limited number of academic practices could previously provide and has raised the local standard of practice for orthopedic surgery at the same time. The necessity to deal with the preoperative and postoperative management of traumatized small animals by the general practitioner has not changed, however.Treatment of the small animal patient with a fractured bone does involve accurate definition of the fracture, selection of an appropriate method of fracture fixation from the variety of devices available, and correct application of the fixation. Far more than these, however, it involves assessment and treatment of the traumatized patient as a whole,including preanesthetic evaluation of critical body systems, preoperative preparation of the patient and client, and postoperative management of the repaired fracture and patient.     

Fractures of the tibia.

ESF is an ideal fixation for most tibial fractures. Many ESF configurations have been used in repair of tibial fractures including ESF supplementation of intramedullary pin or interfragmentary screw fixation. Tibial fractures are often comminuted or open, and the tibia is prone to postoperative infections after open reduction and internal fixation. ESF is ideal for stabilization of open tibial fractures and management of associated soft tissue injury.