Pharmacokinetics of intravenous and transdermal fentanyl in alpacas

The purpose of the study was to determine pharmacokinetics of fentanyl after intravenous (i.v.) and transdermal (t.d.) administration to six adult alpacas. Fentanyl was administered i.v. (2 μg/kg) or t.d. (nominal dose: 2 μg kg^?1 hr^?1). Plasma concentrations were determined using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. Heart rate and respiratory rate were assessed. Extrapolated, zero‐time plasma fentanyl concentrations were 6.0 ng/ml (1.7–14.6 ng/ml) after i.v. administration, total plasma clearance was 1.10 L hr^?1 kg^?1 (0.75–1.40 L hr^?1 kg^?1), volumes of distribution were 0.30 L/kg (0.10–0.99 L/kg), 1.10 L/kg (0.70–2.96 L/kg) and 1.5 L/kg (0.8–3.5 L/kg) for V₁, V₂, and V_ss, respectively. Elimination half‐life was 1.2 hr (0.5–4.3 hr). Mean residence time (range) after i.v. dosing was 1.30 hr (0.65–4.00 hr). After t.d. fentanyl administration, maximum plasma fentanyl concentration was 1.20 ng/ml (0.72–3.00 ng/ml), which occurred at 25 hr (8–48 hr) after patch placement. The area under the plasma fentanyl concentration‐vs‐time curve (extrapolated to infinity) after t.d. fentanyl was 61 ng*hr/ml (49–93 ng*hr/ml). The dose‐normalized bioavailability of fentanyl from t.d. fentanyl in alpacas was 35.5% (27–64%). Fentanyl absorption from the t.d. fentanyl patch into the central compartment occurred at a rate of approximately 50 μg/hr (29–81 μg/hr) between 8 and 72 hr after patch placement.     

Evaluation of intravenous fluorescein in intradermal allergy testing in psittacines

This study was designed to improve the clinical feasibility of intradermal skin testing of psittacine birds using intravenous fluorescein stain. Twenty-five healthy, anaesthetized Hispaniolan Amazon parrots (Amazona ventralis) were injected intravenously with 10 mg kg-1 fluorescein-sodium 1% followed by intradermal injections of 0.02 mL phosphate-buffered saline, histamine phosphate (1:100,000 w/v) and codeine phosphate (1:100,000 w/v) at the sternal apteria. Wheal diameters of reaction sites were measured grossly and under illumination with a Wood's lamp after 5 and 10 min. Fluorescence-enhanced injection sites were scored between 0 and 2, with 0 equivalent to normal skin and 2 equivalent to a plucked feather follicle. The presence of a fluorescent halo around intradermal injections was also recorded. Under Wood's light illumination at 10 min, histamine and saline were evaluated as positive and negative controls, respectively, based on a positive test having a halo and a score of 2. Sensitivity and specificity were each 76% for halo, 84 and 42% for score and 64 and 77% for combination of score and halo, respectively. Further, mean histamine reactions were significantly larger than codeine phosphate and saline (8.8 +/- 0.4 mm; 7.2 +/- 0.3 mm; 5.9 +/- 0.6 mm); however, this finding was not consistent in individual birds. Wheal size, halo presence and score were affected by site location independent from the injected compound. Intravenous fluorescein improved the readability of avian skin tests; however, the compounds tested raised inconsistent reactions in wheal size, score or halo presence. The compound-independent site effect raises concern on the validity of avian skin testing and warrants investigation of other techniques such as in vitro allergy testing. Based on our findings, intradermal allergy testing in psittacines with or without fluorescein is unreliable and cannot be recommended for practical clinical use.     

Propofol anaesthesia for surgery in late gestation pony mares

Objective To characterize propofol anaesthesia in pregnant ponies. Animals Fourteen pony mares, at 256 ± 49 days gestation, undergoing abdominal surgery to implant fetal and maternal vascular catheters. Materials and methods Pre‐anaesthetic medication with intravenous (IV) acepromazine (20 µg kg^?1), butorphanol (20 µg kg^?1) and detomidine (10 µg kg^?1) was given 30 minutes before induction of anaesthesia with detomidine (10 µg kg^?1) and ketamine (2 mg kg^?1) IV Maternal arterial blood pressure was recorded (facial artery) throughout anaesthesia. Arterial blood gas values and plasma concentrations of glucose, lactate, cortisol and propofol were measured at 20‐minute intervals. Anaesthesia was maintained with propofol infused initially at 200 µg kg^?1 minute^?1, and at 130–180 µg kg^?1 minute^?1 after 60 minutes, ventilation was controlled with oxygen and nitrous oxide to maintain PaCO₂ between 5.0 and 6.0 kPa (37.6 and 45.1 mm Hg) and PaO₂ between 13.3 and 20.0 kPa (100 and 150.4 mm Hg). During anaesthesia flunixin (1 mg kg^?1), procaine penicillin (6 IU) and butorphanol 80 µg kg^?1 were given. Lactated Ringer's solution was infused at 10 mL kg^?1 hour^?1. Simultaneous fetal and maternal blood samples were withdrawn at 85–95 minutes. Recovery from anaesthesia was assisted. Results Arterial blood gas values remained within intended limits. Plasma propofol levels stabilized after 20 minutes (range 3.5–9.1 µg kg^?1); disposition estimates were clearance 6.13 ± 1.51 L minute^?1 (mean ± SD) and volume of distribution 117.1 ± 38.9 L (mean ± SD). Plasma cortisol increased from 193 ± 43 nmol L^?1 before anaesthesia to 421 ± 96 nmol L^?1 60 minutes after anaesthesia. Surgical conditions were excellent. Fetal umbilical venous pH, PO₂ and PCO₂ were 7.35 ± 0.04, 6.5 ± 0.5 kPa (49 ± 4 mm Hg) and 6.9 ± 0.5 kPa (52 ± 4 mm Hg); fetal arterial pH, PO₂ and PCO₂ were 7.29 ± 0.06, 3.3 ± 0.8 kPa (25 ± 6 mm Hg) and 8.7 ± 0.9 kPa (65 ± 7 mm Hg), respectively. Recovery to standing occurred at 46 ± 17 minutes, and was generally smooth. Ponies regained normal behaviour patterns immediately. Conclusions and clinical relevance Propofol anaesthesia was smooth with satisfactory cardiovascular function in both mare and fetus; we believe this to be a suitable anaesthetic technique for pregnant ponies.     

Two cases of acute polyradiculoneuritis in dogs consuming a raw poultry diet

A 9-year-old female mixed-breed dog presented with ascending flaccid tetraparesis, and a 5-year-old castrated male Poodle dog presented with ventroflexion of neck, dysphonia, and hindlimb weakness, which progressed to acute ascending tetraparesis. Both dogs were fed raw poultry for over 9 and 5 years, respectively. Blood examination and other test results were normal or unrelated to the present case. Fecal polymerase chain reaction analysis in the Poodle dog was positive for Clostridium perfringens and Campylobacter jejuni. Tetraparesis improved with supportive care in both dogs. Human IV immunoglobulin was only administered to the Poodle dog, which showed a shorter recovery (12 days compared to 34 days in the mixed-breed dog). Both dogs returned to normal conditions eventually.     

Fragmentation of intravenous catheters in three horses

Fragmentation of an intravenous, polytetrafluoroethylene catheter occurred in three horses. The retained fragment was identified in the cervical region by radiography and in the jugular vein by ultrasonography. The retained fragment was removed successfully by jugular venotomy.     

Effects of acepromazine on pulmonary gas exchange and circulation during sedation and dissociative anaesthesia in horses

OBJECTIVE: To study pulmonary gas exchange and cardiovascular responses to sedation achieved with romifidine and butorphanol (RB) alone, or combined with acepromazine, and during subsequent tiletamine-zolazepam anaesthesia in horses. ANIMALS: Six (four males and two females) healthy Standardbred trotters aged 3-12 years; mass 423-520 kg. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized, cross-over, experimental study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Horses were anaesthetized on two occasions (with a minimum interval of 1 week) with intravenous (IV) tiletamine-zolazepam (Z; 1.4 mg kg(-1)) after pre-anaesthetic medication with IV romifidine (R; 0.1 mg kg(-1)) and butorphanol (B; 25 microg kg(-1) IV). At the first trial, horses were randomly allocated to receive (protocol ARBZ) or not to receive (protocol RBZ) acepromazine (A; 35 microg kg(-1)) intramuscularly (IM) 35 minutes before induction of anaesthesia. Each horse was placed in left lateral recumbency and, after tracheal intubation, allowed to breathe room air spontaneously. Respiratory and haemodynamic variables and ventilation-perfusion (; multiple inert gas elimination technique) ratios were determined in the conscious horse, after sedation and during anaesthesia. One- and two-way repeated-measures anova were used to identify within- and between-technique differences, respectively. RESULTS: During sedation with RB, arterial oxygen tension (PaO(2)) decreased compared to baseline and increased mismatch was evident; there was no O(2) diffusion limitation or increase in intrapulmonary shunt fraction identified. With ARB, PaO(2) and remained unaffected. During anaesthesia, intrapulmonary shunt occurred to the same extent in both protocols, and mismatching increased. This was less in the ARBZ group. Arterial O(2) tension decreased in both protocols, but was lower at 25 and 35 minutes of anaesthesia in RBZ than in ARBZ. During sedation, heart rate (HR) and cardiac output (Qt) were lower while arterial-mixed venous oxygen content differences and haemoglobin concentrations were higher in RBZ compared with ARBZ. Total systemic vascular resistance, mean systemic, and mean pulmonary arterial pressures were higher during anaesthesia with RBZ compared to ARBZ. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Acepromazine added to RB generally improved haemodynamic variables and arterial oxygenation during sedation and anaesthesia. Arterial oxygenation was impaired as a result of increased shunt and mismatch during anaesthesia, although acepromazine treatment reduced disturbances and falls in PaO(2) to some extent. Haemodynamic variables were closer to baseline during sedation and anaesthesia when horses received acepromazine. Acepromazine may confer advantages in healthy normovolaemic horses.     

Propofol–medetomidine–ketamine total intravenous anaesthesia in thiafentanil–medetomidine-immobilized impala (Aepyceros melampus)

Objective

To characterize a propofol–medetomidine-ketamine total intravenous anaesthetic in impala (Aepyceros melampus).

Continuous infusion of propofol or intermittent bolus of tiletamine‐zolazepam in squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus)

ObjectiveTo investigate an infusion of propofol for anesthesia in comparison to tiletamine-zolazepam anesthesia, evaluating physiological variables and recovery in squirrel monkeys.Study designProspective non-blinded randomized study.AnimalsEight healthy squirrel monkeys (Saimiri sciureus), aged 3 years and weighing 0.340–0.695 kg.MethodsPremedication was intramuscular midazolam (0.5 mg) and meperidine (4 mg). Anesthesia was induced with intravenous (IV) propofol (4 mg kg^?1 minute^?1) and maintained with propofol starting at 0.4 mg kg^?1 minute^?1 (PRO, n = 4) or IV tiletamine-zolazepam (5 mg kg^?1) and maintained with supplementary doses of TZ (TZ, n = 4). Cardiopulmonary variables were measured continuously. Arterial blood gases and lactate concentration were measured at the end of anesthesia. Quality and times of recovery were determined. Repeatedly measured data for significant differences were tested between groups with t-test and within groups by anova.ResultsMedian time for induction of anesthesia in PRO was 180 seconds. Mean maintenance infusion rate of propofol was 0.43 ± 0.05 mg kg^?1 minute^?1, varying during the 1 hour period. One monkey died after administration of TZ; others required 1, 4, or 8 supplemental doses. Cardiopulmonary variables were similar between groups, but hypotension was recorded. Recovery times to ventral recumbency in PRO (32 ± 17 minutes) and TZ (84 ± 11 minutes) and normal ambulation in PRO (58 ± 22 minutes) and TZ (358 ± 109minutes) were significantly different (p < 0.05). Recovery quality was superior in PRO, with less ataxia and fewer unsuccessful attempts to stand. Lactate concentration was not different between treatments.Conclusions and clinical relevanceCardiopulmonary variables were similar between protocols, aside from the higher incidence of hypotension in PRO, indicating that further studies with a larger number of animals are required. Compared to tiletamine-zolazepam, propofol anesthesia provided faster and superior anesthetic recovery in these animals.