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Simple Summary: Ovariohysterectomy is a common elective surgical procedure performed on companion animals. This study aimed to determine whether lidocaine, a topical anaesthetic agent splashed onto the ovarian ligament, followed by a localised massage of the ligament, could provide sufficient analgesia in dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy. A total of 38 bitches were allocated to two groups. The lidocaine group received 0.5 mL of lidocaine 2% on the suspensory ligaments of the ovaries followed by a one-minute massage, while the placebo group received 0.5 mL of saline followed by a one-minute massage. If signs of pain were observed, rescue analgesia with fentanyl was administered. The outcome of the study revealed that irrigation with lidocaine resulted in fewer painful reactions during ovarian manipulation, reducing the need for rescue analgesia, while anaesthesia was smooth, with no complications. The use of topical irrigation of lidocaine onto the suspensory ligaments of the ovaries is a low-cost, easy-to-perform technique that provides sufficient intraoperative analgesia in dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomies. The administration of lidocaine as part of multimodal analgesia in dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomies demonstrates variable analgesic efficacy. The aim of this prospective, double–blinded clinical study was to evaluate the effectiveness of lidocaine 2% irrigation on the ovarian suspensory ligament, followed by localised massage, in achieving sufficient intraoperative analgesia. Thirty-eight female dogs were randomly divided to two groups and received either a splash block of 0.5 ml lidocaine 2% on each ovarian suspensory ligament (GL) or an equal volume of saline (GNS). All dogs were premedicated with dexmedetomidine (5 μg·kg−1) and buprenorphine (20 μg·kg−1) intramuscularly and meloxicam (0.2 mg·kg−1) subcutaneously. Anaesthesia was induced with propofol and maintained with isoflurane. The surgical procedure was initiated after an adequate depth of anaesthesia was achieved. Heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (fR) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were continuously monitored. Fentanyl (2 μg·kg−1) was administered as rescue analgesia in case of a 30% increase in HR, fR, or MAP, compared to their values before manipulation of the ovaries. Data were analysed using a mixed model for repeated measures ANOVA and Pearson's Chi-Square test. The need for rescue analgesia differed significantly between the two groups (p < 0.0005). In GNS, 89.47% (17/19) of the dogs required rescue analgesia, compared to 10.53% (2/19) of the dogs in GL. The relative risk of rescue for the GNS compared to the GL was approximately 8.5. In conclusion, intraoperative analgesia during ovariohysterectomies in dogs can be enhanced using a lidocaine 2% splash block combined with massage of the ovarian suspensory ligament. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Dexmedetomidine is a frequently used sedative; however, in some cases, its administration may prove insufficient; therefore, an additional dose or another drug is required to achieve the desired sedative outcome. The present study investigated the sedative effects of commonly used anaesthetics when administered after an inadequate initial dose of dexmedetomidine. Six healthy adult cats were included in the study, and each cat participated seven times. The initial dose of dexmedetomidine was followed by the administration of a second dose of dexmedetomidine, butorphanol, buprenorphine, tramadol, ketamine, midazolam, or saline NS 0.9%. Additionally, atipamezole was administered to all animals to elicit recovery. To assess the sedative effect of each treatment, a sedation scale was used, and recovery quality was evaluated using two recovery scales. The results suggested that the two consecutive doses of dexmedetomidine produced deeper sedation compared to the administration of a single dose of dexmedetomidine. Sedation levels were also enhanced by the administration of dexmedetomidine, butorphanol, or ketamine following the administration of an initial dose of dexmedetomidine, and the recovery quality was good. On the contrary, administration of midazolam following dexmedetomidine administration resulted in inferior sedation and recovery quality. Dexmedetomidine is an a2-agonist commonly used in veterinary practice. Occasionally, the administered dose of dexmedetomidine may result in insufficient sedation, and an additional dose or drug may be required. The sedative effects of seven different drugs administered at subsequent time points after an initial, insufficient dose of dexmedetomidine were evaluated. Seven adult cats participated in this crossover, blind, randomised study. The groups consisted of two consecutive doses of dexmedetomidine (15 + 10 μg/kg) (DD) or a dose of dexmedetomidine (15 μg/kg) followed by either NS 0.9% (DC-control group), tramadol 2 mg/kg (DT), butorphanol 0.2 mg/kg (DBT), buprenorphine 20 μg/kg (DBP), ketamine 2 mg/kg (DK), or midazolam 0.1 mg/kg (DM). Sedation was evaluated using the Grint sedation scale. In all groups, atipamezole was administered at the end of the evaluation, and recovery was assessed using the Lozano and Sams recovery scales. The DC and DM groups exhibited minimal sedative effects. The maximum sedative effect was observed in the DD and DK groups, while sedation in the DD and DK groups was significantly higher compared to the DC group. Recovery in all groups was uneventful, except in the DM group, where it was prolonged and difficult, although no statistically significant difference was detected. Therefore, insufficient sedation with dexmedetomidine can be enhanced by a subsequent dose of dexmedetomidine, ketamine, or butorphanol, whereas the addition of midazolam reduces sedation and prolongs recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Administration of anaesthetic or analgesic drugs can affect the safety and health of veterinary patients. Dexmedetomidine, a common sedative used in cats, is frequently administered in combination with opioids or other sedative drugs to provide enhanced sedation and reduce the required doses and their side effects. The administration of dexmedetomidine in clinical settings may not always provide the required sedative result; therefore, subsequent administration of an anaesthetic drug may be required. The safety of a drug combination can be assessed using electrolytes, acid–base balance, cardiac troponin I, creatinine, glucose, and other blood parameters. Six adult cats were administered with seven different drug combinations. The first administration for all cats was dexmedetomidine, and the second consisted of either a subsequent dose of dexmedetomidine, an opioid (tramadol, butorphanol, buprenorphine), ketamine, midazolam, or NS 0.9%. The results of our study suggest that the subsequent administration of specific anaesthetic drugs after an inadequate dose of dexmedetomidine did not affect myocardial function, renal function, electrolytes, or acid–base balance. Therefore, a safe level of sedation was achieved. However, the tissue perfusion and oxygenation were reduced, although not below the normal range. Thus, it would be beneficial to support sedated animals with supplemental oxygen. Additionally, the glucose concentration significantly increased, and the haematocrit significantly decreased. Therefore, administration of dexmedetomidine in cats with hyperglycaemia or anaemia is not recommended. The administered dose of dexmedetomidine may occasionally fail to produce the anticipated sedative effects. Therefore, a subsequent dose or administration of another sedative may enhance sedation; however, patient safety may be affected. The safety of seven different drugs administered at the following time point after an insufficient dose of dexmedetomidine was evaluated in a crossover, blind, experimental study that included six healthy adult cats. All cats received an initial dose of dexmedetomidine and a subsequent dose of either dexmedetomidine (Group DD), NS 0.9% (DC), tramadol (DT), butorphanol (DBT), buprenorphine (DBP), ketamine (DK), or midazolam (DM). Animal safety was assessed using repeated blood gas analysis and measurement of electrolytes, glucose, cardiac troponin I, and creatinine to evaluate cardiac, respiratory, and renal function. The median values of creatinine, cardiac troponin I, pH, partial pressure of carbon dioxide, potassium, and sodium did not change significantly throughout the study. Heart rate was significantly decreased in all groups after administration of the drug combinations, except for in the DK group. Respiratory rate decreased significantly after administration of the initial dose of dexmedetomidine and in the DBP and DM groups. The partial pressure of oxygen, although normal, decreased significantly after the administration of dexmedetomidine, whereas the median concentration of glucose increased significantly following the administration of dexmedetomidine. The results of our study suggest that the drug combinations used did not alter the blood parameters above normal limits, while cardiac and renal function were not compromised. Therefore, a safe level of sedation was achieved. However, the administration of dexmedetomidine reduced the partial pressure of oxygen; thus, oxygen supplementation during sedation may be advantageous. Additionally, the increase in glucose concentration indicates that dexmedetomidine should not be used in cats with hyperglycaemia, whereas the decrease in haematocrit suggests that dexmedetomidine is not recommended in anaemic cats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]