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Simple Summary: Blood gas analyzers are stationary or hand-held machines used to measure blood gases and electrolytes in a blood sample taken from a patient. No machine has been specifically designed for use in horses, and therefore every machine needs to be validated before being used in equine practice. The aim of this study was to compare the newly marketed GEM5000 machine to the formerly validated epoc machine for blood gas analysis in horses. Blood samples taken from healthy and sick horses were run on both machines in alternate order, and various statistical tests were used to analyze if the two machines give similar results. Although the precision of the GEM5000 is good for most parameters, the agreement with the epoc machine is not always satisfactory. Therefore, data from different blood gas machines should not be used interchangeably. Different blood gas analyzers are used in equine practice. Every machine needs to be validated, as they have not been designed for use in horses. The aim of this study was to compare the newly marketed GEM5000 machine to the formerly validated epoc machine for blood gas analysis in horses. In this prospective, non-blinded, comparative laboratory analyzer study, 43 equine blood samples were analyzed on both analyzers and values were compared between the two machines via Lin's concordance analysis, Passing–Bablok regression analysis and Bland–Altman plots. Duplicate measurements were conducted on the GEM5000 machine to evaluate precision. The GEM5000 failed to achieve the required precision for tHb, Hct and iCa2+, but achieved acceptable precision for all other parameters. Concordance correlation analysis revealed poor correlation for Na+, Cl−, iCa2+, K+, Hct and tHb, while there was an at least moderate agreement for all other parameters. Passing–Bablok regression revealed significant constant bias for pCO2, pO2, Cl−, and iCa2+ and significant proportional bias for pCO2, iCa2+ and SO2. Bland–Altman analysis revealed significant systematic bias for Na+, Cl−, iCa2+, K+, Hct, tHb and SO2. This study shows that while precision of the GEM5000 is good, values should not be used interchangeably with data obtained from other blood gas analyzers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Case series summary: This case series describes the neuromuscular blockade (NMB) following 0.15 mg/kg intravenous (IV) cisatracurium administration in 11 cats undergoing ophthalmological surgery and anaesthetised with isoflurane. Anaesthetic records were analysed retrospectively. Neuromuscular function was assessed by a calibrated train-of-four (TOF) monitor. Cats were 73 ± 53 months old, weighed 4 ± 1 kg and were of American Society of Anesthesiologists' physical classification 2. Duration of anaesthesia and surgery were 144 ± 27 and 94 ± 24 mins, respectively. The lowest TOF count was zero in four cats, four in six cats and for one cat the TOF ratio never decreased below 31%. The time of onset was between 1 and 6 mins after the administration of cisatracurium and the mean duration of action was 20.4 ± 10.1 mins. Relevance and novel information: Cisatracurium at a dose of 0.15 mg/kg IV did not consistently induce a TOF count of zero in all cats. The dose used in these cats did not produce any remarkable cardiovascular side effects. Although the NMB was not complete, the dose given was sufficient to produce central eyeball position, which was the goal of the ophthalmic surgeries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]