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This randomized prospective clinical study aimed to compare the hemodynamic effects of propofol and alfaxalone for the induction of anesthesia in dogs. Thirty-one healthy dogs undergoing various procedures in a private referral center were premedicated with intramuscular acepromazine (0.015 mg/kg) and methadone (0.15 mg/kg). They then received 5 mg/kg of propofol over 30 s for induction, followed by a maintenance dose of 25 mg/kg/h (Group P), or 2 mg/kg of alfaxalone over 30 s for induction, followed by a continuous rate infusion of 10 mg/kg/h (Group A). Heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and the velocity time integral (VTI) of the aortic blood flow using transthoracic echocardiography were measured before anesthetic induction and every 15 s for 180 s. Dogs not adequately anaesthetized for intubation were excluded from the hemodynamic evaluation. Events of hypotension (any MAP value lower than 60 mmHg) were also recorded. Statistical analyses utilized ANOVA for repeated measures, two-way repeated measures ANOVA, paired t-tests, or Wilcoxon signed rank-test as appropriate. Significance was set at p

Abstract Background Lung ultrasound (LUS) is a noninvasive tool for examining respiratory distress patients. The lung ultrasound score (LUSS) can be used to quantify and monitor lung aeration loss with good reliability. Hypothesis/Objectives Assess the reliability of a new LUSS among raters with different levels of experience and determine how well the same raters agree on identifying patterns of LUS abnormalities. Animals Forty LUS examinations of dogs and cats and 320 videos were reviewed from a digital database. Methods Retrospective reliability study with post hoc analysis. Protocolized LUS were randomly selected; intrarater and interrater reliability of the LUSS and pattern recognition agreement among 4 raters with different levels of experience in LUS were tested. Results The intrarater intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) single measurement, absolute agreement, and 2‐way mixed effects model was 0.967 for the high‐experience rater (H‐Exp), 0.963 and 0.952 for the medium‐experience raters (M‐Exp‐1; M‐Exp‐2), and 0.950 for the low‐experience rater (L‐Exp). The interrater ICC average measurement, absolute agreement, and 2‐way random effects model among the observers was 0.980. The Fleiss' kappa (k) values showed almost perfect agreement (k = 1) among raters in identifying pleural effusion and translobar tissue‐like pattern, strong agreement for A‐lines (k = 0.881) and B‐lines (k = 0.806), moderate agreement (k = 0.693) for subpleural loss of aeration, and weak agreement (k = 0.474) for irregularities of the pleural line. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Our results indicate excellent intra‐ and interrater reliability for LUS scoring and pattern identification, providing a foundation for the use of the LUSS in emergency medicine and intensive care.

Abstract A 22.5‐kg, 8.4‐year‐old female mixed breed dog was presented for an emergency ovariohysterectomy for pyometra. No neurological abnormalities were observed on preoperative physical examination. Surgery was completed uneventfully under fentanyl‐ and sevoflurane‐based anaesthesia. Cardiorespiratory indices remained stable under mechanical ventilation throughout the procedure. Approximately 23 min after the discontinuation of fentanyl infusion, the investigator noticed jaw closure and stiffness and thoraco‐abdominal muscle rigidity. To rule out fentanyl‐induced muscle rigidity, naloxone was administered. Following administration of naloxone, there was a return of spontaneous respiratory effort, indicated by capnogram and visible chest wall excursion. Based on the clinical signs and response to naloxone administration, the dog was diagnosed with suspected fentanyl‐induced muscle rigidity. Six minutes after the return of spontaneous respiration, the dog was extubated uneventfully without additional naloxone administration. During 4 days of postoperative hospitalization, no recurrent muscle rigidity was observed, and the patient was discharged safely. The total dose of fentanyl administered was 0.61 mg (27 μg kg−1).

Abstract Background Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is one of the possible conditions underlying ocular surface disorders (OSD). Prevalence of MGD in dogs affected by OSD has not yet been reported. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of MGD among OSD canine patients, which had been assessed by non-contact infrared meibography and interferometry, and to identify MGD associated factors that might guide its diagnosis. Medical records of canine patients examined for OSD between 2016 and 2019 were reviewed. The frequency of MGD was evaluated within different categories (skull conformation, gender, eye and STT-1). The putative MGD risk factors and frequency of MGD within grades of interferometry were evaluated in a regression analysis model and reported as odd ratios (ORs). Results One hundred fifty eyes from 81 dogs with OSD were included with median age 75 months (range 3–192) and female representation with 52%. MGD was present in 70% of the examined eyes. MGD risk was higher in males ORadj = 3.015 (95% CI: 1.395–6.514) (P = 0.005) and older patients ORadj = 1.207 (95% CI: 1.081–1.348) (P = 0.001). No significant differences were found between left and right eyes (P = 0.66) or between the two types of skull conformation (P = 0.477) and MGD presence. MGD was associated to the lowest lipid layer (LL) thickness, as assessed by interferometry (grade 0) OR = 16.00 (95% CI: 2.104–121.68) (P 0.05). Conclusions MGD is a common underlying pathology in OSD. Being male and higher age are risk factors for MGD. An interferometry grade 0 may guide OSD diagnosis towards MGD.

Abstract Background Propofol is one of the most widely used injectable anaesthetic agents in veterinary practice. Cardiovascular effects related to propofol use in dogs remain less well defined. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the haemodynamic changes during induction of general anaesthesia with propofol in healthy dogs, by a beat-to-beat continuous monitoring. All dogs were premedicated with intramuscular acepromazine (0.015 mg/kg) and methadone (0.15 mg/kg). Transthoracic echocardiography was used to measure the velocity time integral (VTI) of the left ventricular outflow tract. A syringe driver, programmed to deliver propofol 5 mg/kg over 30 s followed by a continuous infusion of 25 mg/kg/h, was used to induce and maintain anaesthesia. From the initiation of propofol administration, heart rate (HR) and mean invasive arterial blood pressure (MAP) were recorded every 5 s for 300 s, while aortic blood flow was continuously recorded and stored for 300 S. maximum cardiovascular depression was defined the lowest MAP (MAP_Tpeak) recorded during the monitored interval. VTI and VTI*HR were calculated at 0, 30, 90, 120, 150 and 300 s post administration of propofol, and at MAP_Tpeak. Haemodynamic effects of propofol in relation to plasma and biophase concentrations were also evaluated by pharmacokinetics simulation. Results The median (range) HR was significantly higher (p = 0.006) at the moment of maximum hemodynamic depression (Tpeak) [105(70–148) bpm] compared with pre-induction values (T0) [65(50–120) bpm]. The median (range) MAP was significantly lower (p