Chemical restraint-reversal with medetomidine and atipamezole in veterinary small animal practice: a survey on the opinions of the dog owners and veterinarians.

The opinions of animal owners and practising veterinarians concerning a new restraint-reversal medication (medetomidine-atipamezole) for dogs were obtained by two questionnaires in connection with a clinical study. Four alternative answers to each statement question scored as "completely agree", "somewhat agree", "somewhat disagree" and "completely disagree". The questionnaires were completed by 21 veterinarians and 245 dog owners. The overall response to the treatment was clearly positive. Both groups had a favourable attitude towards drug use with mean combined scores (from 1 to 4; 4 = most favourable) of 48.1 (max 56) for the dog owners and 39.2 (max 52) for the veterinarians. Only a little information was gained about the background of negative sentiments. Some pet owners (19%) opposed to medication on a priori grounds, some (26%) reacted strongly to the dizziness of their animals and some owners (21%) complained because of general anxiety before, during and after their pets were treated.     

Effects of subcutaneous alfaxalone alone and in combination with dexmedetomidine and buprenorphine in guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus)

Objective

To characterize alfaxalone administered subcutaneously (SC) in guinea pigs, both alone and in combination with dexmedetomidine and buprenorphine.

EFFECT OF SEDATION ON CONTRAST‐ENHANCED ULTRASONOGRAPHY OF THE SPLEEN IN HEALTHY DOGS

Contrast‐enhanced ultrasound of the spleen enables the dynamic assessment of the perfusion of this organ, however, both subjective and quantitative evaluation can be strongly influenced by sedative agent administration. The purpose of this prospective, experimental study was to test effects of two sedative agents on splenic perfusion during contrast‐enhanced ultrasound of the spleen in a sample of healthy dogs. Contrast‐enhanced ultrasound of the spleen was repeated in six healthy Beagles following a cross‐over study design comparing three protocols: awake, butorphanol 0.2 mg/Kg intramuscular (IM), and dexmedetomidine 500 μg/m² IM. After intravenous injection of a phospholipid stabilized sulfur hexafluoride microbubble solution (SonoVue®, Bracco Imaging, Milano, Italy), the enhancement intensity and perfusion pattern of the splenic parenchyma were assessed and perfusion parameters were calculated. Normal spleen was slightly heterogeneous in the early phase, but the parenchyma was homogeneous at a later phase. Sedation with butorphanol did not modify perfusion of the spleen. Dexmedetomidine significantly reduced splenic enhancement, providing diffuse parenchymal hypoechogenicity during the entire examination. Measured parameters were significantly modified, with increased arrival time (AT; (< 0.0001) and time to peak (TTP; P < 0.0001), and decreased peak intensity (PI; P = 0.0108), wash‐in (P = 0.0014), and area under the curve (AUC; P = 0.0421). Findings supported the use of butorphanol and contraindicated the use of dexmedetomidine as sedatives for splenic contrast ultrasound procedures in dogs. Short‐term and diffuse heterogeneity of the spleen in the early venous phase was determined to be a normal finding.     

The use of sedatives,analgesic and anaesthetic drugs in the horse: An electronic survey of members of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP)

Reasons for performing study: To determine the sedative, analgesic and anaesthetic drugs and techniques that are used by equine veterinarians. Hypothesis or objectives: To provide equine veterinarians with information concerning veterinary use of anaesthetic techniques, a reflection of the collective experiences of the profession. Methods: A survey was conducted of those members of the American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) with an electronic mail address on file with the organisation using proprietary, web‐based software. The survey was comprised of 30 questions divided into 8 sections: nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs; local anaesthesia; alternative techniques; standing chemical restraint; epidural anaesthesia; short‐term anaesthesia; long‐term anaesthesia; and a place for the respondent to make comments. Results: The response rate was 13.8% (952/6911) AAEP member veterinarians primarily use phenylbutazone and flunixin as anti‐inflammatory drugs, and lidocaine and mepivacaine for local anaesthesia. Combinations of drugs are preferred for standing chemical restraint. While many veterinarians frequently utilise short‐term anaesthesia, longer anaesthesia is less frequently performed. Conclusions: Most AAEP member veterinarians use sedatives in combination to provide standing chemical restraint. Extra‐label use of drugs is a core component of current equine sedation and anaesthetic practice. Potential relevance: Equine veterinarians can compare their choices of anaesthetic drugs with others practising equine medicine and surgery and may be stimulated to investigate alternative methods of providing comfort to horses.     

Intratesticular and incisional line infiltration with ropivacaine for castration in medetomidine–butorphanol–midazolam sedated dogs

Objective

To evaluate whether intratesticular and incisional ropivacaine infiltration produces sufficient intra- and postoperative analgesia for castrating dogs under sedation.

Anesthesia and anesthetic action mechanism of essential oils of Aloysia triphylla and Cymbopogon flexuosus in silver catfish (Rhamdia quelen)

Objectives

To document the time for anesthesia induction and recovery using different concentrations of essential oils (EOs) of Cymbopogon flexuosus and Aloysia triphylla in silver catfish (Rhamdia quelen), and to determine whether the mechanism of action of either EO involves the benzodiazepine (BDZ) site of the GABA_A receptor.

茶氨酸对小鼠戊巴比妥钠镇静催眠的双向作用

采用自发活动仪和观察翻正反射消失与否研究茶氨酸对戊巴巴比妥钠诱导的镇静催眠作用。结果显示:单用茶氨酸能剂量依赖性地抑制正常小鼠的自发活动,其半数抑制量为0.8518g/kg;较小剂量(≤1.0g/kg)茶氨酸能加强戊巴比妥钠(5mg/kg)的抑制自发活动效应,而在2.0g/kg时则引起自发活动反跳性的增加,呈现"U"型改变;单用茶氨酸5.0g/kg并无催眠效应,但小于等于5.0g/kg时茶氨酸加强戊巴比妥钠(25mg/kg)的催眠作用,并呈明显的剂量依赖性。上述结果表明茶氨酸对戊巴比妥钠诱导的小鼠自发活动影响为双向改变("U"改变);茶氨酸对戊巴比妥钠(25mg/kg)的催眠效应呈剂量依赖性地加强作用,并未出现双向改变。