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Objective: This study compared the quality of retrobulbar anesthesia using a blind inferior-temporal palpebral approach (ITP) with an ultrasound-guided supratemporal (ST) technique in dogs undergoing unilateral enucleation., Animal Studied: Twenty-one client-owned dogs were undergoing enucleation., Procedures: Dogs were randomly assigned to receive ITP (n = 10) or ST (n = 11) with 0.5% ropivacaine at 0.1 mL/cm of neurocranial length. The anesthetist was blinded to the technique. Intraoperative data included cardiopulmonary variables, inhalant anesthetics requirement, and requirement for rescue analgesia (intravenous fentanyl 2.5 mcg/kg). Postoperative data included pain scores, sedation scores, and need for intravenous hydromorphone (0.05 mg/kg). Treatments were compared using Wilcoxon's rank sum test or Fisher's exact test as appropriate. Comparison of variables over time were tested using a mixed effect linear model on rank. Significance was set at p = 0.05., Results: Intraoperative cardiopulmonary variables and inhalant requirements were not different between groups. Dogs receiving ITP required median (interquartile range, IQR) 1.25 (0, 2.5) mcg/kg intraoperative fentanyl while those receiving ST required none (p < 0.01). Intraoperative fentanyl was required in 5/10 and 0/11 of dogs in the ITP and ST groups, respectively (p = 0.01). Postoperative analgesia requirements were not significantly different between groups; 2/10 and 1/10 dogs in the ITP and ST groups, respectively. Sedation score negatively affected pain score (p < 0.01)., Conclusions: The ultrasound-guided ST technique was more effective at decreasing intraoperative opioid requirements than the blind ITP approach in dogs undergoing unilateral enucleation., (© 2023 The Authors. Veterinary Ophthalmology published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists.)

A novel supra-temporal technique for retrobulbar anaesthesia in dogs is described and compared to the inferior temporal palpebral approach. Supra-temporal and inferior temporal palpebral retrobulbar injections were performed in 20 orbits of canine cadavers. Distribution of injected contrast medium within the intraconal space and around the optic nerve was analysed using computed tomography. There was adequate distribution of contrast medium within the intraconal space with both techniques. Concurrent intraconal and extraconal distribution was observed using the inferior temporal palpebral approach in 3/10 orbits and using the supra-temporal approach in 5/10 orbits. In 3/10 supra-temporal injections, the injected vehicle was distributed preferentially in the caudal aspect of the retrobulbar cone, closer to the orbital fissure. Accidental intraocular injection was never observed. The supra-temporal approach appears to be a valid alternative to the inferior temporal palpebral approach for retrobulbar anaesthesia in dogs, being less technically challenging. Further studies are required to confirm the clinical efficacy of this approach in dogs., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Despite the outstanding progress achieved by preclinical imaging science, laboratory animal anesthesia remains quite stationary. Ninety percent of preclinical imaging studies are carried on small rodents (mice and rats) anesthetized by outdated injectable and/or inhalation agents. A need for imaging awake (conscious) animals is questionably registered mainly for brain research, for phMRI and for accomplishing pain and analgesia studies. A need for improving current rodent anesthesia protocols and for enforcing the 3Rs paradigm is sought. Patient monitoring throughout the procedure and recovery phases, as well as vital parameter's data must be recorded in basic consciousness states and during imaging sessions. A multidrug approach is suggested to overcome the limits of monoanesthesia and well-timed physiological data are required to ground findings and to interpret imaging data.