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Simple Summary: In human medicine, catheter implantation for local anesthetic administration in the quadratus lumborum (QL) inter-fascial plane (IFP) has been reported to extend the duration of a single-shot block's effect in the postoperative period of patients undergoing abdominal surgeries. In the first phase of this study, we described an ultrasound-guided technique for placing catheters in the QL IFP in canine cadavers and assessed the spread of 0.3 versus 0.6 mL kg−1 per side of contrast media solution injected through the catheters using computed tomography (CT). The second phase described the outcomes of five dogs undergoing open cholecystectomy or adrenalectomy, in which QL catheters were used for postoperative pain management. CT scan images showed that using a higher volume of injectate resulted in a significantly higher number of vertebral bodies stained by the contrast solution between the QL and psoas minor muscles. Results of the second phase of the study suggest that ropivacaine 0.5% injected uni- or bilaterally every eight hours through QL catheters could be safely implemented in a multimodal analgesic approach during the postoperative period in dogs subjected to abdominal surgeries. This study aimed to describe an ultrasound-guided technique for implanting catheters for local anesthetic administration into the quadratus lumborum (QL) inter-fascial plane in canine cadavers and assessing the spread along the vertebral bodies (VBs) by computed tomography (CT). Phase 1: eight canine cadavers received one catheter per hemiabdomen, followed by injection of contrast media solution [low volume (LV) 0.3 mL kg−1 or high volume (HV) 0.6 mL kg−1]. Phase 2: postoperative pain of five dogs was managed by injecting 0.3 mL kg−1 of ropivacaine 0.5% through QL catheters every eight hours, up to 72 h after abdominal surgery. Pain was assessed using the Short Form of the Glasgow Composite Measure Pain Scale, and methadone 0.2 mg kg−1 was administered intravenously when the pain score was ≥6. The number of VBs stained by the contrast solution between the QL and psoas minor muscles was significantly higher in group HV than group LV. The catheter tip was visualized in the retroperitoneal space in 1/16 and 2/10 hemiabdomens in phases 1 and 2, respectively. Rescue analgesia was required in 3/5 dogs during the postoperative period. The QL catheter placement technique appears feasible and may be included in a multimodal analgesic approach for dogs undergoing abdominal surgeries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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 < 0.05. Two dogs in Group P (2/14) and 3 in Group A (3/17) were excluded from the study because the anesthesia plane was too light to allow intubation. Treatment P resulted in a significant decrease in MAP between 45 and 75 s during the induction period, with no significant variation in HR, VTI, and VTI*HR. In treatment A, HR increases between 60 and 105 s, VTI decreases at 150-180 s. Analysis between groups did not show any difference in MAP (p = 0.12), HR (p = 0.10), VTI (p = 0.22) and VTI*HR (p = 0.74). During induction, hypotension was detected in 3/12 (25%) dogs in Group P and 1/14 (8%) in Group A. In healthy premedicated dogs, propofol and alfaxalone induction produce similar hemodynamic variations. Propofol induction results in a short-term reduction in MAP, whereas alfaxalone induction preserves MAP and cardiac output by significantly increasing heart rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study was designed to prospectively evaluate the feasibility of an opioid-free anesthesia protocol and describe the quality of recovery and management of postoperative analgesia in dogs after a tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO). Methods: In total, 20 dogs presented for TPLO were included. After premedication with intravenous (IV) medetomidine (0.005-0.007 mg/kg) and midazolam (0.2 mg/kg), the dogs were anesthetized using ketamine (2 mg/kg) and propofol and maintained with isoflurane and ketamine CRI (0.6 mg/kg/h). Sciatic and femoral nerve blocks were performed with bupivacaine 0.5% (0.087 +/- 0.01 and 0.09 +/- 0.02 mL/kg, respectively). Meloxicam (0.2 mg/kg IV) was administered intraoperatively, after osteotomy. Fentanyl (0.002 mg/kg IV) was administered intraoperatively, as rescue analgesia in the case of sustained increase in cardiorespiratory variables. Two pain scores (French 4A-VET and Glasgow short form) were performed at conscious sternal recumbency and 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, and 20 h after extubation and compared to baseline using a Friedman test followed by a Nemenyi post-hoc test. The time taken for the first food intake and urination was reported. Results: Intraoperative opioid-free anesthesia was feasible in 11 dogs, whereas 9 dogs received fentanyl once during arthrotomy. No opioid postoperative rescue analgesia was required. Food intake occurred within 6 h, and all dogs were discharged after 24 h without any complication. Conclusion: Total opioid-free postoperative analgesia was achieved in all dogs, with adequate recoveries. Although opioid-free anesthesia was feasible in 55% of the population, a single dose of fentanyl was necessary in 45% of the dogs during arthrotomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Oxidative stress is a metabolic state in which the organism possesses more oxidative compounds than antioxidant ones. This imbalance contributes to the formation of multiple pathologies and can be caused by different methods of drug administration, surgery, and anesthesia. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the effect of two different anesthetic protocols on oxidative stress and vital parameters. Ten dogs were randomly assigned into two groups and received different anesthetic agents during anesthesia for female spaying procedures. It was noted and concluded that the administration of medetomidine–butorphanol contributed to higher values of oxidative stress markers during different time frames when compared to the medetomidine–buprenorphine group. Even though the cardiorespiratory parameters were stable throughout the study in all dogs, the medetomidine–butorphanol group experienced greater alterations in vital parameters during anesthesia. Therefore, this study suggests that medetomidine–buprenorphine might be a superior anesthetic combination in comparison to medetomidine–butorphanol. Oxidative stress (OS) is caused by an imbalance between the production of oxygen-containing free radicals and their elimination. General anesthesia increases the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and therefore causes oxidative stress. Our objective was to determine the effects of medetomidine–butorphanol (MEDBUT) and medetomidine–buprenorphine (MEDBUP) on oxidative stress and cardiorespiratory parameters in dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy (OHE). Ten healthy female dogs were randomly assigned to two groups: the MEDBUT group (n = 5) received medetomidine and butorphanol, while the MEDBUP group (n = 5) received medetomidine and buprenorphine. OS was evaluated by measuring total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), and oxidative stress index (OSI) during five different time points (from the administration of anesthetic drugs to 2 h after surgery). The observed vital cardiorespiratory parameters included heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (fR), noninvasive systolic (SAP) and diastolic (DAP) arterial blood pressures, oxygen saturation (SpO2), end-tidal CO2 (EtCO2), and body temperature (BT). Cardiorespiratory parameters were altered at a significantly greater degree in animals sedated with MEDBUT (p < 0.05). The administration of medetomidine–butorphanol was more likely to increase OS parameters, while medetomidine–buprenorphine showed decreased levels of oxidative stress throughout the study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Simple Summary: Locoregional anaesthesia plays a fundamental role in the correct management of surgical interventions. Veterinary ultrasound-guided techniques are in continuous evolution to obtain adequate analgesia with minimal motor impact. We hypothesized that the block of the obturator nerve in the inguinal compartment, combined with the block of the saphenous and the sciatic nerves, without the block of the femoral nerve, could produce analgesia with less motor function impairment for tibial-plateau-levelling-osteotomy (TPLO) surgery. Having easily identified a window during the anatomical study that included an inguinal approach, we could correctly perform this new ultrasound-guided obturator-nerve-block technique. Patients that received three blocks with ropivacaine had statistically significantly less need for rescue analgesia during surgery than those that received saline solution at the level of the obturator nerve. In the group that did not receive ropivacaine for the obturator nerve block, nociception occurred in almost all patients at the time of incision of the joint capsule, showing the obturator nerve role in the innervation of the knee joint. The use of this new technique in association with the block of the sciatic and saphenous nerves represents an improvement in locoregional techniques in knee surgery, as the patient not only has a reduction in intraoperative nociception but also has better postoperative mobility, resulting from the fact that the femoral nerve, which is responsible for the innervation of the quadriceps muscles, was not blocked. The objective of our study was to compare the efficacy of sciatic and saphenous ultrasound nerve blocks with and without US-guided obturator nerve block in dogs undergoing tibial-plateau-levelling-osteotomy (TPLO) surgery. This study was developed in two phases: identification of an ultrasound window in the inguinal region for obturator nerve block and utilization of it in dogs undergoing TPLO. Dogs were assigned randomly to one of two groups: one received the three blocks with 0.5% ropivacaine (ON group) and the second one (NoON group) with NaCl instead of ropivacaine for the obturator block. In phase 1, the obturator nerve was visible between the pectineus and the abductor muscles and was approached using an in-plane technique. It was possible to use the ultrasound window for phase two. The number of dogs that received at least one bolus of intraoperative rescue analgesia in the NoON group (12/15 dogs) was significantly higher (p = 0.003) in comparison with the ON group (4/15). An ultrasound window to block the obturator nerve in the inguinal compartment with an in-plane technique was found. The use of this approach could produce adequate analgesia with less motor function impairment in dogs for TPLO surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Laparoscopic ovariectomy is currently considered the gold standard for neutering female dogs thanks to the reduced surgical trauma, lower perioperative pain, and decreased hospitalization stays. Perioperative analgesic management becomes crucial to reduce the occurrence of uncontrolled post-surgery stress response. The quadratus lumborum block is an ultrasound-guided block capable of providing somatic and visceral analgesia to the abdomen. The aims of this study were (I) to evaluate the efficacy of the transversal quadratus lumborum block performed with two different concentrations of ropivacaine (0.5% and 0.33%) in prolonging the time to the first postoperative rescue analgesia in dogs undergoing laparoscopic ovariectomy, in comparison with a fentanyl-based protocol, and (II) to investigate the cardiovascular impact of the block on the arterial blood pressure. The results of this study showed a significantly longer time to the first postoperative rescue analgesia in groups receiving the block, in comparison with the group receiving a fentanyl-based protocol. Surprisingly, ropivacaine 0.33% produce a more important reduction in the arterial blood pressure than ropivacaine 0.5%. Further studies are needed to better assess the intraoperative efficacy of the quadratus lumborum block. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the transverse quadratus lumborum block (QLBLQL-T) on time to the first postoperative rescue analgesia in dogs submitted to laparoscopic ovariectomy. A total of twenty-three female dogs were included. Dogs were randomly assigned to receive a bilateral QLBLQL-T, performed either with 0.3 mL kg−1 ropivacaine 0.5% [group QLB0.5% (n = 8)] or with ropivacaine 0.33% [group QLB0.33% (n = 8)] or a fentanyl-based protocol [group No-QLB (n = 7)]. Dogs were premedicated intravenously (IV) with fentanyl 5 mcg kg−1, general anesthesia was induced IV with propofol and maintained with sevoflurane. Invasive mean arterial pressure (MAP) values were recorded five minutes before and five minutes after performing the QLBLQL-T. The short-form of the Glasgow composite measure pain scale was used every hour after extubation, and methadone 0.2 mg kg−1 was administered IV when pain score was ≥5/24. Kolmogorov–Smirnov test, ANOVA test combined with Tukey post hoc test, Student's T-test and Chi-square test were used to analyze data; p < 0.05. Time from QLBLQL-T to the first rescue analgesia was significantly longer in QLB0.5% than in group QLB0.33% and No-QLB. MAP pre- and post-block decreased significantly only in group QLB0.33%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 13.9 kg, 4‐year‐old, male cocker spaniel dog was scheduled for cystotomy. Premedication consisted of intravenous medetomidine (5 µg/kg), induction with propofol (1 mg/kg, intravenous) and anaesthesia maintenance with isoflurane in O2 100%. A medetomidine constant‐rate infusion (1 µg/kg/h) was administered throughout. A bilateral quadratus lumborum block with 3 ml of 0.5% bupivacaine (each side) was performed, and intermittent positive‐pressure ventilation was initiated. At the end of the surgery, medetomidine constant‐rate infusion and intermittent positive‐pressure ventilation ceased. The patient remained in apnoea and developed severe hypercapnia (end‐tidal carbon dioxide: 12 kPa). Thirty minutes after isoflurane discontinuation, respiratory muscles movement started. Three days before, the dog underwent a mini‐hemilaminectomy (similar anaesthetic protocol) without complications. Epidural/spinal migration from the right quadratus lumborum block was suspected, although the definitive cause of transient respiratory arrest after bilateral quadratus lumborum block could not be ascertained. We advise caution when performing quadratus lumborum if previous neighbouring spinal surgery was performed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: C-reactive protein is a major positive acute phase protein in dogs. It is commonly used as a marker of inflammation that, although nonspecific, is highly sensitive. The high clinical value lies in its rapid response and relatively short half-life time; these qualities make the C-reactive protein a good therapeutic guide; among others, it can be used to determine when an antimicrobial therapy could be ceased. Various tests are available on the market and the measurement is becoming a part of routine biochemistry blood panels in many countries. Although it is very useful, especially in conjunction with white blood cell count or other acute phase response proteins measurements, it does not allow a complete evaluation as a single parameter. Acute phase response is a nonspecific reaction to disturbances in homeostasis during which the production of some Acute Phase Proteins (APPs) is stimulated; they are sensitive but nonspecific markers of systemic inflammatory processes. The major positive APP in dogs is the C-reactive protein (CRP). The dynamic of its concentration changes fast, rising and decreasing rapidly with the onset and removal of the inflammatory stimulus. It increases within the first 4–24 h after the stimulus and reaches up to a 50–100-fold increase of the baseline level. It has been documented that this APP's concentration is elevated during several diseases, such as pyometra, panniculitis, acute pancreatitis, polyarthritis, sepsis, immune-mediated hemolytic anemia, and neoplasia in dogs. In clinical practice, canine CRP is mostly measured to detect and monitor systemic inflammatory activity and the efficacy of treatments, because it is a more sensitive marker than shifts in leukocyte counts. Blood serum CRP concentration is becoming a part of routine biochemistry panels in many countries. In this article, changes in CRP concentration and its clinical application in healthy and diseased dogs are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Thoracolumbar intervertebral disc extrusion (TL‐IVDE) is the most common cause of acute paraparesis and paraplegia in dogs; however, guidelines on management of the condition are lacking. Objectives: To summarize the current literature as it relates to diagnosis and management of acute TL‐IVDE in dogs, and to formulate clinically relevant evidence‐based recommendations. Animals: None. Methods: A panel of 8 experts was convened to assess and summarize evidence from the peer‐reviewed literature in order to develop consensus clinical recommendations. Level of evidence available to support each recommendation was assessed and reported. Results: The majority of available literature described observational studies. Most recommendations made by the panel were supported by a low or moderate level of evidence, and several areas of high need for further study were identified. These include better understanding of the ideal timing for surgical decompression, expected surgical vs medical outcomes for more mildly affected dogs, impact of durotomy on locomotor outcome and development of progressive myelomalacia, and refining of postoperative care, and genetic and preventative care studies. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Future efforts should build on current recommendations by conducting prospective studies and randomized controlled trials, where possible, to address identified gaps in knowledge and to develop cost effectiveness and number needed to treat studies supporting various aspects of diagnosis and treatment of TL‐IVDE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: The double pelvic osteotomy (DPO) is a prophylactic surgical procedure associated with 0.4% incidence of sciatic nerve injury. The piezoelectric cutting tool is a surgical device able to involve only mineralized tissue avoiding neurovascular tissue and other soft tissue. This study aimed to evaluate the sciatic nerve injury observed in dogs underwent iliac osteotomy performed using the piezoelectric cutting tool. (2) Methods: Dogs underwent DPO performed with piezoelectric cutting tool were included. Neurological assessment was performed 6 and 24 h after surgery and then repeated 12 days, 4 and 8 weeks after surgery. Temporary and or permanent sciatic nerve injury were recorded. (3) Results: 84 DPOs performed in fifty dogs were included. No temporary/permanent neurological disease associated with iatrogenic damage of the sciatic nerve were observed. (4) Conclusions: The iliac osteotomy performed with piezoelectric cutting tool was not associated to iatrogenic sciatic nerve injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pain thresholds may differ between animal species. It may even vary among individuals of the same species. Therefore, assessing pain in animals is challenging. Aims: The objective of the present study was to compare the analgesic effects of tramadol with morphine. Methods: The study was carried out on randomly selected 20 dogs with tumors in different breeds and gender. After induction of anesthesia with propofol, dogs were intubated, and anesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane. Intravenous fentanyl citrate was used for intraoperative analgesia after stabilization of the anesthesia. When the tumors were surgically removed and the operation was completed, dogs were divided into two groups to give the postoperative analgesic agent. The first 10 dogs to be investigated were identified as the morphine group and the second 10 dogs as the tramadol group. Postoperative pain scores, heart rates, respiratory rates, and body temperatures were recorded at 0, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 hours after the operation. Results: Pain scores were lower in the morphine group than in the tramadol group during all postoperative processes. Conclusion: As a result, it was determined that tramadol has immediate analgesic effects than morphine; however, morphine provides better analgesia than tramadol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A dog with a large abdominal mass underwent coeliotomy. Before surgery, the dog was anaemic, hypoalbuminaemic and had a grade III out of VI left sided holosystolic heart murmur; no signs related to heart failure were detected on thoracic radiographs. After intramuscular administration of methadone, anaesthesia was induced intravenously (IV) with fentanyl and propofol and maintained with isoflurane in oxygen. Lungs were mechanically ventilated using a volume‐controlled setting. To manage ventilation asynchrony, atracurium was administered IV. Concurrent hypotension did not respond to lowering the isoflurane concentration, crystalloid and colloid boluses administration, and dobutamine infusion. Surgery lasted 40 minutes, and the mass was easily removed. At end of surgery, neostigmine was administered IV slowly, and a progressive improvement of arterial blood pressure was recorded. The animal was then allowed to breathe spontaneously, and isoflurane was discontinued. Recovery from general anaesthesia was uneventful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hippocampal atrophy is a key pathologic and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) feature of human Alzheimer's disease (AD). Hippocampal atrophy has not been documented via MRI in canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD), which is considered as the dog model of human AD. Aim: The purpose of this retrospective comparative volumetric MRI study was to compare total hippocampal volumes between successfully aging (control) dogs and dogs diagnosed with CCD. Methods: Mimics® software was used to derive total hippocampal volumes and total brain volumes from the MRI studies of 42 aging dogs (= 9 years): 16 dogs diagnosed with CCD and 26 successfully aging controls. Hippocampal volumes were normalized to total brain volume and these values were compared between groups using Mann-Whitney U tests. Results: Total hippocampal volume normalized to total brain volume was significantly less for CCD patients compared with control dogs (p = 0.04). Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that - similar to human AD - hippocampal atrophy is a pathological feature of CCD. This finding has potential importance for both investigating disease mechanisms related to dementia as well as future hippocampal-targeted therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To evaluate the effect on arterial blood pressure (ABP) of labetalol infusion as treatment for perioperative non nociceptive acute hypertension in dogs. The clinical records of dogs receiving intra or postoperative labetalol infusion were retrospectively reviewed. Invasive systolic (SAP), mean (MAP) and diastolic (DAP) arterial pressure and heart rate (HR) before labetalol infusion (T0) and 15, 30, 45 and 60 min (T1, T2, T3 and T4 respectively) after infusion were retrieved. The dose rate of labetalol infusion and use of concurrently administered drugs that could have potentially affected ABP and/or HR were also recorded. ANOVA for repeated measures and Dunnett's multiple comparison test were used to determine the effect of labetalol on ABP and HR. Differences were considered significant when p < 0.05. Results: A total of 20 dogs met the inclusion criteria, and hypertension was documented after craniotomy (12/20), adrenalectomy (4/20) and other procedures (4/20). Five dogs received labetalol intraoperatively, 14 postoperatively, and 1 during the surgical procedure and recovery. Median infusion duration and rate were 463 (60-2120) minutes and 1.1 (0.2–3.4) mg/kg/h respectively. Median loading dose was 0.2 (0.2–0.4) mg/kg. Labetalol produced a significant decrease in SAP and DAP at all time points compared to T0 (p < 0.05), while the effect was not significant at T1 for MAP (p = 0.0519). Median maximum MAP decrease was 31 (20–90) mmHg. Heart rate did not increase significantly during treatment (p = 0.2454). Acepromazine given before or during labetalol treatment did not reduce significantly ABP (p = 0.735). Conclusions: Labetalol produced a reliable and titratable decrease in ABP with non significant increase in HR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantitative aspects of in vitro phase II glucuronidative metabolism of O-desmethyltramadol (O-DSMT or M1), the active metabolite of the analgesic drug tramadol, by feline, canine and common brush-tailed possum hepatic microsomes are described. Whilst previous studies have focused on the phase I conversion of tramadol to M1, this is the first report in which the phase II glucuronidative metabolic pathway of M1 has been isolated by an in vitro comparative species study. Using the substrate depletion method, microsomal phase II glucuronidative in vitro intrinsic clearance (Clint) of M1 was determined. The in vitro Clint (mean ± SD) by pooled common brush-tailed possum microsomes was 9.9 ± 1.7 μL/min/mg microsomal protein whereas the in vitro Clint by pooled canine microsomes was 1.9 ± 0.07 μL/min/mg microsomal protein. The rate of M1 depletion by feline microsomes, as measured solely by high pressure liquid chromatography, was too slow to determine. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry identified O-DSMT glucuronide in samples generated from all three species' microsomes, although the amount detected under the feline condition was minimal. This study indicates that M1 likely undergoes in vitro phase II glucuronidation by canine and common brush-tailed possum microsomes and, to a minor extent, by feline microsomes. The rate of depletion of M1 by phase I metabolism was also undertaken. When incubated with phase I co-factors and common brush-tailed possum microsomes or canine microsomes, M1 had an in vitro Clint of 47.6 and 22.8 μL/min/mg microsomal protein, respectively. However, due to a lack of CYP2B-like activity in the feline liver, unsurprisingly, M1 did not deplete when incubated with feline microsomes. Consequently, major M1 elimination pathways, using feline microsomes, were not determined." [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]