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Background: Cardiac catheterizations in horses are mainly performed in the right heart, as access to the left heart traditionally requires an arterial approach. Transseptal puncture (TSP) has been adapted for horses but data on follow‐up and closure of the iatrogenic atrial septal defect (iASD) are lacking. Hypothesis/Objectives: To perform TSP and assess postoperative complications and iASD closure over a minimum of 4 weeks. Animals: Eleven healthy adult horses. Methods: Transseptal puncture was performed under general anesthesia. Serum cardiac troponin I concentrations were measured before and after puncture. Weekly, iASD closure was monitored using transthoracic and intracardiac echocardiography. Relationship between activated clotting time and anti‐factor Xa activity during postoperative enoxaparin treatment was assessed in vitro and in vivo. Results: Transseptal puncture was successfully achieved in all horses within a median duration of 22 (range, 10‐104) minutes. Balloon dilatation of the puncture site for sheath advancement was needed in 4 horses. Atrial arrhythmias occurred in 9/11 horses, including atrial premature depolarizations (N = 1), atrial tachycardia (N = 5), and fibrillation (N = 3). Serum cardiac troponin I concentrations increased after TSP, but remained under the reference value in 10/11 horses. Median time to iASD closure was 14 (1‐35) days. Activated clotting time correlated with anti‐factor Xa activity in vitro but not in vivo. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Transseptal puncture was successfully performed in all horses. The technique was safe and spontaneous iASD closure occurred in all horses. Clinical application of TSP will allow characterization and treatment of left‐sided arrhythmias in horses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Recently, treatment of equine atrial tachycardia by three‐dimensional electro‐anatomical mapping (3D EAM) and radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) has been described. Myocardial sleeves in the caudal vena cava and pulmonary veins are a potential trigger for initiation and perpetuation of atrial tachycardia and atrial fibrillation in the horse. Isolation of these myocardial sleeves by RFCA may be an effective treatment for these arrhythmias. Objectives: To describe the feasibility of 3D EAM and RFCA to isolate caudal vena cava and pulmonary veins in adult horses using 3D mapping and a contact force (CF)‐guided ablation system. Study design: In vivo experiments. Methods: 3D EAM and RFCA was performed in five horses without cardiovascular disease under general anaesthesia, using the CF‐guided system CARTO®3. Point‐by‐point RFCA aimed for isolation of caudal vena cava and pulmonary veins. Radiofrequency energy was delivered in power‐controlled mode with a target power of 45 W, CF between 10 and 15 g and 30 mL/min irrigation rate, until an ablation‐index of 450–500 was reached. Results: In the right atrium, myocardial sleeves of the caudal vena cava were isolated (n = 5). In the left atrium, isolation of ostium II (n = 3), ostium III (n = 1) and ostium I, II and III en bloc (n = 1) was performed. Successful isolation was confirmed by entrance and exit block. Main limitations: Horses were euthanised at the end of the procedure, so long term effects such as potential reconnection of isolated veins could not be studied. Conclusions: This is the first description of 3D EAM and RFCA with CARTO®3 in horses, thereby showing the technical feasibility and successful caudal vena cava and pulmonary vein isolation. CF measurement allowed monitoring of catheter‐tissue contact, resulting in efficient acute lesion creation as confirmed by entrance and exit block. This is a promising treatment for cardiac arrhythmias in horses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sedative as well as protective effects during hypoxia have been described for gamma‐hydroxybutyric acid (GHB). Six swine (Sus scrofa domesticus) of 6 weeks old were administered NaGHB at a dose of 500 mg/kg intravenously (IV) and 500 and 750 mg/kg orally (PO) in a triple cross‐over design. Repeated blood sampling was performed to allow pharmacokinetic analysis of GHB. Whole blood concentration at time point 0 after IV administration was 1727.21 ± 280.73 μg/mL, with a volume of distribution of 339.45 ± 51.41 mL/kg and clearance of 164.94 ± 47.05 mL/(kg h). The mean peak plasma concentrations after PO administration were 326.57 ± 36.70 and 488.01 ± 154.62 μg/mL for 500 mg/kg and 750 mg/kg, respectively. These were recorded at 1.42 ± 0.72 and 1.58 ± 0.58 h after PO dose for GHB 500 mg/kg and 750 mg/kg, respectively. The elimination half‐life for IV and PO 500 mg/kg and PO 750 mg/kg dose was respectively 1.33 ± 0.30, 1.16 ± 0.31 and 1.11 ± 0.33 h. The bioavailability (F) for PO administration was 45%. No clinical adverse effects were observed after PO administration. Deep sleep was seen in one animal after IV administration, other animals showed head pressing and ataxia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One male and one female giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) from a Belgian zoo were anesthetized on eight different occasions over a course of 4 yr for electro-ejaculation (n = 3) or artificial insemination (n = 5). Medetomidine (0.03–0.04 mg/kg) and ketamine (2.5–3 mg/kg) were administered by intramuscular remote injection. Animals gained sternal recumbency with the loss of response to external stimuli after 4.9 ± 1.6 min (mean ± SD). The trachea was intubated with a 14-mm–internal diameter endotracheal tube; anesthesia was maintained with isoflurane in oxygen adjusted according to the required depth of anesthesia with a small-animal circle system. Physiological variables (heart rate, respiratory rate, oxygenation, end tidal carbon dioxide partial pressure and non-invasive blood pressure) were measured and remained within an acceptable range throughout anesthesia. Atipamezole (0.17–0.25 mg/kg) was administered intramuscularly after anesthesia. Recoveries were rapid and uneventful. Medetomidine 0.03 mg/kg and ketamine 2.5 mg/kg IM appeared to be the preferred doses for giant pandas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: A 4‐year‐old gelding was referred to the clinic with a history of haematuria and stranguria after exercise. Transrectal examination and endoscopy of the urinary bladder revealed the presence of a cystolith. The patient underwent general anaesthesia to remove the bladder stone through a para‐inguinal approach. A layer of calcium carbonate was found covering a foreign body acting as the nidus of the urolith. The foreign body was a 4 × 3 cm rubber tie of unknown origin. Surgery and recovery were uneventful without recurrence of clinical signs for up to 2 years after surgery. This is the first published report describing a laparocystotomy for removal of a cystolith secondary to an intravesical foreign body in a gelding. Migration of a foreign body into the urinary bladder, although very uncommon, is possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present case report describes the management of two alpacas undergoing repair of a metatarsal and a distal tibial fracture, respectively. Both animals received ketamine and medetomidine intramuscularly, resulting in deep sedation. Endotracheal intubation was performed, and general anaesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane. An in‐plane ultrasound‐guided sciatic nerve block was performed at the level of the mid‐thigh with bupivacaine 0.5% before surgery as part of the analgesic treatment. Meloxicam was administered. Heart rate, arterial blood pressure and respiratory rate were stable during the surgery, despite the use of a low end‐tidal sevoflurane concentration. No opioids were required intraoperatively. Duration of the anaesthesia was 205 and 255 minutes, respectively. Extubation was performed 12 and 6 minutes after discontinuing sevoflurane administration, respectively. In both cases, regional anaesthesia of the sciatic nerve improved the intraoperative management of alpacas that required surgical treatment for fractures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This report describes an ultrasound‐guided technique to block the radial, ulnar, median and musculocutaneous nerves in seven calves submitted for tenotomy of flexor tendons or carpus arthrodesis surgery. Surgery was performed under sedation and locoregional anaesthesia (n = 4) or under isoflurane inhalation and locoregional anaesthesia (n = 3). A block of the radial and ulnar, median and musculocutaneous nerves was performed at the lateral and medial aspect of the brachium, respectively, using a linear ultrasound probe positioned transversely to the mid‐humerus. A 19‐gauge spinal needle was introduced in‐plane through the triceps or transverse pectoral muscle until reaching the target nerves, where 5 ml of lidocaine 20 mg/ml or a mixture of lidocaine 20 mg/ml and detomidine 15 μg/ml was injected at each site. The calves' cardiovascular parameters varied from baseline by less than 15% during surgery. Complications such as prolonged paralysis or haematoma/swelling at the injection site were not observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]