Ultrasound-guided thoracic paravertebral injection in dogs: a cadaveric study

Objective

To describe ultrasound-visualized anatomy and the spread characteristics of a dye injected in the thoracic paravertebral (TPV) space under ultrasound guidance.

Thermography as an early predictive measurement for evaluating epidural and femoral–sciatic block success in dogs

Objective

To evaluate skin temperature increase as an early predictive measure for evaluating epidural and femoral-sciatic block success in dogs.

Pulsed inhaled nitric oxide improves arterial oxygenation in colic horses undergoing abdominal surgery

Objective

To evaluate the effect of pulsed inhaled nitric oxide (INO) on arterial oxygenation in horses during abdominal surgery.

丁香油和MS-222对大泷六线鱼幼鱼的麻醉效果

为研究丁香油和MS-222麻醉剂对大泷六线鱼Hexagrammos otakii的麻醉效果,选择体质量为(83.3±7.8)g的大泷六线鱼幼鱼进行试验,根据大泷六线鱼被麻醉和复苏时的行为特征,将整个麻醉过程分为10期,其中麻醉6个时期,复苏4个时期。结果表明:丁香油浓度在50~100 mg/L、MS-222浓度在50~70 mg/L时鱼体均可在3 min内入麻并均可在5 min内复苏;当丁香油浓度≥100 mg/L、MS-222浓度≥70 mg/L时,鱼体在麻醉液中浸浴15 min后部分鱼体出现休克死亡;用丁香油麻醉鱼时,整个麻醉过程中鱼体的呼吸频率呈下降趋势,而用MS-222麻醉鱼时,鱼体在达到4期阶段后呼吸频率明显加快,但仅见鳃盖后缘小幅度张合;鱼体进入深度麻醉以后在空气中暴露时间越长,鱼体复苏所需时间就越长,用丁香油或MS-222麻醉的鱼体可在空气中分别暴露7、5 min。研究表明,丁香油和MS-222均对大泷六线鱼幼鱼有良好的麻醉效果,具有入麻时间短、复苏快的特点,两者均可作为大泷六线鱼理想的麻醉剂。     

Application and Assessment of Ketamine-Xylidinothiazoline Combinations for Anaesthesia in Rhesus Monkey

The quantitative anaesthesia assessment technique was used to evaluate the effectiveness of ketamine, ketamine-xylidinothiazoline in rhesus monkey. Total 20 healthy adult rhesus monkeys were divided into two groups and anaesthetized using either intramuscular （IM） ketamine （20 mg·kg^-1） or ketamine （5 mg·kg^-1 IM） and xylidinothiazoline （1 mg·kg^-1 IM）. During anaesthesia rectal temperature, respiratory rate, heart rate, saturation of blood oxygen and blood pressure were recorded. The degree of sedation, analgesia, muscle relaxation were monitored either. The results showed that ketamine alone did not produce adequate anaesthesia, and the combination of xylidinothiazoline and ketamine provided adequate anesthesia for rhesus monkeys with no significant side effects and little effects on respiration and circulation.     

Cross-sectional survey of sleep,fatigue and mental health in veterinary anaesthesia personnel

ObjectiveTo evaluate the sleep quality, prevalence of fatigue and depressive symptoms in veterinary anaesthesia personnel.Study designAnonymous online voluntary survey.MethodsSleep quality, fatigue, depressive symptoms and self-perceived burnout were scored using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and single-item burnout measure, respectively. Demographic data and questions about work-related fatigue, out-of-hours duty, transport and rest periods were included. PSQI, FSS and PHQ-9 scores were compared using Spearman rank correlation tests.ResultsResponses from 393 participants were obtained from an estimated population of 1374 including diplomates of the American and European Colleges of Veterinary An(a)esthesia and Analgesia (43.9%), residency-trained veterinarians (15.6%), residents-in-training (13.8%) and veterinary technicians and nurses (12.0%), from 32 countries. Most were employed in clinical university teaching hospitals (54.2%) or clinical private practice (41.5%).PSQI scores > 5 were reported by 71.2% of respondents, with 52.4% reporting insufficient sleep to meet their job demands. Many showed high or borderline fatigue (56.4%), and 74.7% reported mistakes due to work-related fatigue. Major depressive symptoms (PHQ-9 score ≥ 10) were found in 42.7%, with 19.2% reporting they had thought about suicide or self-harm in the previous 2 weeks. Over half (54.8%) met the criteria for burnout and more veterinary nurses and technicians suffered from burnout than other roles, with 79.6% of this group affected (p < 0.001).Scores for PSQI and FSS [r (388) = 0.40, p < 0.001]; PSQI and PHQ-9 [r (389) = 0.23, p < 0.001]; and FSS and PHQ-9 [r (387) = 0.24, p < 0.001] were all positively correlated.Conclusions and clinical relevanceThis survey demonstrates a high prevalence of poor sleep, fatigue, depressive symptoms and burnout in veterinary anaesthesia personnel, and more should be done to improve the health of those in the profession.     

Training satisfaction and well-being among veterinary anaesthesia residents: time for action

ObjectiveTo explore the satisfaction and well-being experienced by anaesthesia residents during their training, and to investigate factors that may have influenced their experiences.Study designCross-sectional online anonymous voluntary survey.Sample populationA total of 150 (of approximately 600 canvassed) former veterinary anaesthesia residents.MethodsParticipants were invited to complete an internet-based survey regarding the satisfaction and well-being experienced during their residency. Multiple choice, categorical, dichotomous, Likert-type rating scales and slider questions were used to investigate five domains (demographic, working conditions, educational environment, training satisfaction, well-being). Sampling adequacy, questionnaire reliability and participant responses were investigated by Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) indices, Cronbach’s α and standard statistical techniques, respectively (p < 0.05).ResultsThe questionnaire demonstrated good sampling adequacy (median KMO index 0.74; range 0.51–0.89) and high item ‘reliability’ (α = 0.82–0.94). Of the 150 responders, (25% participation rate) 62% were satisfied, 14% were neutral and 24% were dissatisfied with their residency training; 60.6% would do the residency again, 39.3% would not or were unsure. Sex and age did not correlate with training satisfaction (p > 0.05). Salary/stipend was considered inadequate by 70% of responders; 66% received no on-call supplement. Greater supervisory input, a good working environment and extra income when on-call were positively correlated with training satisfaction (p < 0.01). The majority (94.6%) of trainees suffered from at least one medical condition during their residency, with fatigue, sleep disturbance or anxiety reported by > 62%.ConclusionsAlthough a quarter of responders were dissatisfied with their residency, several modifiable factors were identified, particularly with respect to supervisors’ input, working environment and pay, which could inform improvements for future residency programmes. Most trainees experienced negative health impacts; however, this parallels the general situation in both the medical and veterinary professions, which requires greater attention from the supervisors, trainees and colleges.     

Risk of burnout and depression: A survey of veterinary anaesthesia specialists in-training during COVID-19

ObjectiveTo investigate risk, risk factors and effects on adherence to adequate clinical standards, of burnout and depression in veterinary anaesthesia residents.Study designClosed online cross-sectional survey study.Study populationA sample of 89 residents registered to the European and/or the American Colleges of Veterinary An (ae)sthesia and Analgesia out of a total of 185.MethodsA link to access an online questionnaire, which included the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS), the Harvard National Depression Screening Day Scale (HANDS) and 28 questions developed to assess adherence to adequate clinical standards, was sent by email to 185 residents. The three components of the MBI-HSS namely emotional exhaustion (EE), depersonalization and reduced personal accomplishment were analysed separately. Analysis of proportions and two-step regression statistical modelling were used for data analysis, and p values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.ResultsThe response rate was 48%. Based on HANDS and MBI-HSS scores, 49% of the residents were at high risk of both depression and burnout. These residents expressed greater concern of delivering inadequate animal care (p < 0.001), of decreased quality of supervision during COVID-19 (p = 0.038) and of negative impact of the pandemic on their training programme (p = 0.002) than residents at low-to-moderate risk. Working in a clinical environment for ≥ 60 hours/week was a risk factor for both depression (p = 0.016) and EE (p = 0.022), while female sex was a risk factor for EE only (p = 0.018).Conclusions and clinical relevanceA large proportion of residents is at high risk of depression and burnout, a scenario likely worsened by the pandemic. The findings of this study suggest that reducing the clinical workload and increasing the level of support and supervision may help to improve residents’ mental health.