-
Journal of the American Veterinary... Nov 2023To evaluate sedative and behavioral effects of a client-administered preappointment protocol with PO gabapentin and melatonin and oral-transmucosal acepromazine (GMA...
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate sedative and behavioral effects of a client-administered preappointment protocol with PO gabapentin and melatonin and oral-transmucosal acepromazine (GMA protocol).
ANIMALS
45 client-owned dogs between 1 and 12 years old that underwent standardize examinations between February and August 2021.
METHODS
In this clinical trial, dogs with a history of anxiety, fearfulness, and/or aggression during hospital visits were assessed and videotaped before (baseline) and after administration of the GMA protocol. For the second visit, owners administered PO gabapentin (20 to 25 mg/kg) in the evening prior to the next visit and PO gabapentin (20 to 25 mg/kg), PO melatonin (3 to 5 mg/dog), and oral-transmucosal acepromazine (0.05 mg/kg) 90 to 120 minutes prior to the second appointment. Examinations were performed, and behavioral stress and sedation levels were evaluated with semiquantitative rating scales. Randomized videos were analyzed, and a paired t test was used to compare stress and sedation scores between baseline and GMA. A Pearson correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the effect of age on the scores.
RESULTS
Stress scores were significantly lower after the GMA protocol, and sedation scores were significantly higher when compared to baseline (21.84 vs 27.11 and 1.39 vs 0.68, respectively). A significant correlation between increasing age and lower stress scores post-GMA and higher sedation scores post-GMA were observed.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Preappointment administration of the GMA protocol reduced signs of stress, fear, and fear-based aggression during hospital visits and provided sedation in this dog population. This protocol could represent an adjunct tool for veterinarians to improve quality of care and reduce animal-related injury.
Topics: Humans; Dogs; Animals; Gabapentin; Acepromazine; Melatonin; Aggression; Prospective Studies; Hypnotics and Sedatives; Anxiety; Hospitals
PubMed: 37495226
DOI: 10.2460/javma.23.02.0067 -
Journal of Visualized Experiments : JoVE Nov 2023The protocol here provides a simple, highly replicable methodology to induce in situ acute regional myocardial ischemia in the rabbit for non-survival and survival...
The protocol here provides a simple, highly replicable methodology to induce in situ acute regional myocardial ischemia in the rabbit for non-survival and survival experiments. New Zealand White adult rabbit is sedated with atropine, acepromazine, butorphanol, and isoflurane. The animal is intubated and placed on mechanical ventilation. An intravenous catheter is inserted into the marginal ear vein for the infusion of medications. The animal is pre-medicated with heparin, lidocaine, and lactated Ringer's solution. A carotid cut-down is performed to obtain arterial line access for blood pressure monitoring. Select physiologic and mechanical parameters are monitored and recorded by continuous real-time analysis. With the animal sedated and fully anesthetized, either a fourth intercostal space small left thoracotomy (survival) or midline sternotomy (non-survival) is performed. The pericardium is opened, and the left anterior descending (LAD) artery is located. A polypropylene suture is passed around the second or third diagonal branch of the LAD artery, and the polypropylene filament is threaded through a small vinyl tube, forming a snare. The animal is subjected to 30 min of regional ischemia, achieved by occluding the LAD by tightening the snare. Myocardial ischemia is confirmed visually by regional cyanosis of the epicardium. Following regional ischemia, the ligature is loosened, and the heart is allowed to re-perfuse. For both survival and non-survival experiments, the myocardial function can be assessed via an echocardiography (ECHO) measurement of the fractional shortening. For non-survival studies, data from sonomicrometry collected using three digital piezoelectric ultrasonic probes implanted within the ischemic area and the left ventricle developed pressure (LVDP) using an apically inserted left ventricle (LV) catheter can be continuously acquired for evaluating the regional and global myocardial function, respectively. For survival studies, the incision is closed, a left needle thoracentesis is performed for pleural air evacuation, and postoperative pain control is achieved.
Topics: Rabbits; Animals; Polypropylenes; Ischemia; Reperfusion Injury; Myocardial Ischemia; Heart
PubMed: 37982519
DOI: 10.3791/64752 -
New Zealand Veterinary Journal Sep 2023To evaluate the effect of IM administration of three sedative drugs, acepromazine, alfaxalone and dexmedetomidine, in combination with morphine, on the size of the...
AIMS
To evaluate the effect of IM administration of three sedative drugs, acepromazine, alfaxalone and dexmedetomidine, in combination with morphine, on the size of the feline spleen using ultrasonography.
METHODS
Twenty-four client-owned cats undergoing elective de-sexing or minor procedures were recruited for a focused ultrasonographic examination of the spleen prior to and at 10, 20 and 30 minutes following administration of one of three randomly assigned IM sedation protocols: 0.05 mg/kg acepromazine (ACE group), 3 mg/kg alfaxalone (ALF group), or 10 μg/kg dexmedetomidine (DEX group), in combination with 0.5 mg/kg morphine. B-mode images of the spleen were collected and measured following a standardised protocol. Cardiorespiratory parameters and sedation score were also recorded. Mean thickness of the head, body and tail of the spleen for each group at 10, 20 and 30 minutes after drug administration was compared to baseline.
RESULTS
Mean splenic thickness increased over time in the ACE group (thickness of body at T0 = 8.9 (SE 2.1) mm and at T30 = 10.5 (SE 2.0) mm; p = 0.001) and the ALF group (thickness of body at T0 = 8.8 (SE 1.0) mm and at T30 = 10.3 (SE 1.7) mm; p = 0.022) but not in the DEX group (thickness of body at T0 = 8.6 mm (1.2) and at T30 = 8.9 mm (0.6); p = 0.67). Mean arterial blood pressure in the DEX group was significantly higher than in the other groups (p = 0.002). Sedation scores in the DEX group were consistently high for the entire period. However, the sedation score in the ACE group increased over 30 minutes (p = 0.007). Sedation score in the ALF group was highest at 10 minutes but gradually decreased over the following 20 minutes (p = 0.003).
CONCLUSIONS
Sedation with IM dexmedetomidine and morphine did not change splenic size, whereas acepromazine or alfaxalone and morphine increased it regardless of the degree of sedation.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Where splenomegaly is identified in a cat sedated with acepromazine or alfaxalone, the effects of the sedation protocol could be considered as a possible cause.
Topics: Cats; Animals; Dexmedetomidine; Acepromazine; Spleen; Hypnotics and Sedatives; Morphine; Ultrasonography
PubMed: 37345417
DOI: 10.1080/00480169.2023.2223177 -
Veterinary Journal (London, England :... Apr 2024The purpose of this study was to assess sedation, emesis and cardiovascular effects of dexmedetomidine alone or combined with acepromazine in healthy cats. Fourteen male...
The purpose of this study was to assess sedation, emesis and cardiovascular effects of dexmedetomidine alone or combined with acepromazine in healthy cats. Fourteen male cats aged 0.9 ± 0.5 years and weighing 3.7 ± 0.7 kg were randomly assigned to one of two experimental groups: GD, dexmedetomidine 5 µg/kg; and GDA, dexmedetomidine 5 µg/kg with acepromazine 0.03 mg/kg, all intramuscularly. Measurements were recorded at baseline, at 20 minutes and then at 10-minute intervals following sedation and included heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (F), systolic arterial pressure (SAP), rectal temperature (RT), number of episodes of emesis and sedation score (0-4). Data were compared using ANOVA for repeated measures followed by Šídák and Dunnet test. Sedation scores were compared between groups at T20 using Mann-Whitney test. Significance was considered when P <0.05. At T20, HR was significantly lower in GDA (99 ± 14 beats/min) compared with GD (133 ± 19 beats/min) and SAP was significantly lower in both groups compared with baseline (126 ± 14 vs. 148 ± 26 and 111 ± 13 vs. 144 ± 17 mmHg in GD and GDA, respectively). Duration of sedation was similar between groups, although sedation scores differed significantly at T20, with 1 (0-4) in GD and 4 (4-4) in GDA. More episodes of emesis were recorded in GD compared with GDA. The combination of dexmedetomidine and acepromazine produced more profound sedation with faster onset and lower incidence of emesis compared with dexmedetomidine alone in healthy cats.
Topics: Cats; Male; Animals; Hypnotics and Sedatives; Acepromazine; Dexmedetomidine; Anesthesia; Vomiting
PubMed: 38462168
DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2024.106099 -
Veterinary Research Forum : An... 2024The aim of this study was to compare the sedative and cardiovascular effects of the combination of acepromazine-clonidine versus acepromazine-xylazine in horses. Four...
The aim of this study was to compare the sedative and cardiovascular effects of the combination of acepromazine-clonidine versus acepromazine-xylazine in horses. Four healthy cross-bred horses were included in the study. They were assigned to two treatments. In treatment I (T1), the animals received xylazine hydrochloride (1.00 mg kg) in combination with acepromazine maleate (0.05 mg kg) intravenously (IV). In treatment II (T2), the animals received intra-gastric administration of clonidine (0.002 mg kg) followed by acepromazine (0.05 mg kg; IV) after 60 min. Head height above the ground (HHAG) and echocardiographic indices were evaluated. In T1, recordings were made 5 min before and 5, 15, 30, 60, and 90 min after drug administration. In T2, recordings were made 5 min before clonidine, 55 min after clonidine administration, and then 5, 15, 30, 60, and 90 min after acepromazine injection. Analyses of the data showed there were not significant differences regarding HHAG and echocardiographic indices between two treatments. For sedation of healthy horses, it was concluded that intra-gastric administration of clonidine and IV administration of acepromazine showed similar sedative and cardiovascular effects compared to IV acepromazine-xylazine administration.
PubMed: 38464604
DOI: 10.30466/vrf.2023.2004451.3910 -
American Journal of Veterinary Research Nov 2023To elucidate the cardiovascular effects of escalating doses of phenylephrine and norepinephrine in dogs receiving acepromazine and isoflurane.
OBJECTIVE
To elucidate the cardiovascular effects of escalating doses of phenylephrine and norepinephrine in dogs receiving acepromazine and isoflurane.
ANIMALS
8 beagles aged 1 to 2 years (7.4 to 11.2 kg).
METHODS
All dogs received acepromazine 0.01 mg/kg, propofol 4 to 5 mg/kg, and isoflurane and were mechanically ventilated. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) from a femoral artery catheter and continuous electrocardiogram were recorded. Cardiac output (CO) was measured with transpulmonary thermodilution. Systemic vascular resistance (SVR), global end-diastolic volume (GEDV), and global ejection fraction (GEF) were subsequently calculated. Phenylephrine and norepinephrine were infused in random order at 0.07, 0.3, 0.7, and 1.0 μg/kg/min. All variables were measured after 15 minutes of each infusion rate. The effects of dose, agent, and their interaction on the change of each variable were evaluated with mixed-effect models. A P < .05 was used for significance.
RESULTS
Atrial premature complexes occurred in 3 dogs during norepinephrine infusion at doses of 0.3, 0.7, and 1 μg/kg/min; no dysrhythmias were seen with phenylephrine administration. MAP increased during dose escalation (P < .0001) within each agent and did not differ between agents (P = .6). The decrease in HR was greater for phenylephrine (P < .0001). Phenylephrine decreased CO and GEF and increased GEDV and SVR (all P < .03). Norepinephrine decreased the SVR and increased CO, GEDV, and GEF (all P < .03).
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Our results confirm that phenylephrine increases arterial pressures mainly through vasoconstriction in acepromazine-premedicated dogs while norepinephrine, historically considered a vasopressor, does so primarily through an increase in inotropism.
Topics: Animals; Dogs; Acepromazine; Isoflurane; Norepinephrine; Phenylephrine; Blood Pressure
PubMed: 37657733
DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.23.06.0147 -
Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia Sep 2023To compare pain perception between gonadectomized and intact dogs.
OBJECTIVE
To compare pain perception between gonadectomized and intact dogs.
STUDY DESIGN
Blinded, prospective, cohort study.
ANIMALS
A group of 74 client-owned dogs.
METHODS
Dogs were divided into four groups: group 1-female/neutered (F/N), group 2-female/intact (F/I), group 3-male/neutered (M/N) and group 4-male/intact (M/I). Premedication consisted of intramuscularly administered acepromazine (0.05 mg kg) and morphine (0.2 mg kg), and subcutaneously administered carprofen (4 mg kg). Anaesthesia was induced with propofol (1 mg kg intravenously and supplementary doses to effect) and maintained with isoflurane in 100% oxygen. Intraoperative analgesia was achieved with fentanyl infusion (0.1 μg kg minute). Pain assessments [using the University of Melbourne Pain Scale (UMPS) and an algometer at the incision site (IS), parallel to the incision site (NIS), and on the contralateral healthy limb] were performed preoperatively, and at 1, 2, 4, 6, 9 and 20 hours after extubation. The time-standardised area under the curve (AUCst) for measurements was calculated and compared by performing a one-way multivariate analysis of variance (manova). Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.
RESULTS
Postoperatively, F/N exhibited higher pain than F/I, with estimated marginal means (95% confidence intervals) AUCstIS 909 (672-1146) versus AUCstIS 1385 (1094-1675) (p = 0.014), AUCstNIS 1122 (823-1420) versus AUCstNIS 1668 (1302-2033) (p = 0.024) and AUCstUMPS 5.30 (4.58-6.02) versus AUCstUMPS 4.1 (3.2-5.0) (p = 0.041). Similarly, M/N showed higher pain than M/I with AUCstIS 686 (384-987) versus AUCstIS 1107 (871-1345) (p = 0.031) and AUCstNIS 856 (476-1235) versus AUCstNIS 1407 (1109-1706) (p = 0.026), and AUCstUMPS 6.0 (5.1-6.9) versus AUCstUMPS 4.4 (3.7-5.2) (p = 0.008).
CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Gonadectomy affects pain sensitivity in dogs undergoing stifle surgery. Neutering status should be taken into consideration when planning individualized anaesthetic/analgesic protocols.
Topics: Dogs; Female; Male; Animals; Pain, Postoperative; Orthopedics; Stifle; Pain Measurement; Prospective Studies; Cohort Studies; Castration; Dog Diseases
PubMed: 37295978
DOI: 10.1016/j.vaa.2023.05.002 -
Journal of the American Veterinary... Sep 2023To evaluate the efficacy and safety of bromelain to control pain and inflammation in cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy and safety of bromelain to control pain and inflammation in cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy.
ANIMALS
30 client-owned cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy.
PROCEDURES
In a randomized, blinded clinical study, cats were assigned to receive either oral bromelain suspension (40 mg/kg [18 mg/lb]; BG, n = 15) or placebo solution (0.1 mL/kg [0.045 mL/lb]; PG, 15), which were administered 90 minutes before and 12 hours after surgery. The anesthetic protocol included acepromazine, meperidine, propofol, and isoflurane. Pain and sedation were assessed at various time points up to 24 hours post-extubation using the UNESP-Botucatu multidimensional composite pain scale, the Glasgow feline composite measure pain scale, and a descriptive numerical scale. Surgical wound inflammation was measured at the same time points, using a numeric rating scale. Morphine was administered as rescue analgesia. Laboratory data (urea, creatinine, gamma-glutamyl transferase, alkaline phosphatase, the prothrombin time, and the fecal occult blood) were analyzed preoperatively and 24 hours after surgery.
RESULTS
Pain/inflammation scores, and analgesic requirements did not differ between groups. Shorter recovery time and lower sedation scores were recorded during the first hour post-extubation in the BG than the PG. Postoperatively, serum creatinine and gamma-glutamyl transferase were lower in the BG compared to PG. Compared to baseline values, all biochemistry variables decreased at 24 hours in the BG. The prothrombin time and fecal occult blood did not differ between groups or over time.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
Bromelain did not provide significant analgesic and anti-inflammatory benefits over placebo in cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy.
Topics: Female; Cats; Animals; Ovariectomy; Bromelains; Pain, Postoperative; Hysterectomy; Analgesics; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Inflammation; Transferases; Cat Diseases
PubMed: 37085147
DOI: 10.2460/javma.23.02.0117 -
Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine :... Oct 2023Sable antelope (), a large, dominant species, often require chemical immobilization for captive management. Despite several recorded protocols, limited objective or...
Sable antelope (), a large, dominant species, often require chemical immobilization for captive management. Despite several recorded protocols, limited objective or subjective data are available to guide chemical immobilization of this species. This study retrospectively compared immobilization drug combinations of carfentanil-xylazine (CX), thiafentanil-xylazine (TX), etorphine-xylazine (EX), carfentanil-acepromazine (CA), and butorphanol-azaperone-medetomidine (BAM) for healthy sable antelope at one institution. Clinically applicable physiologic measures, subjective ratings, and timing of anesthetic milestones of 161 events for 107 individuals revealed the following statistically significant findings ( < 0.05). Induction ratings were best for TX, highest degree of muscle relaxation occurred with BAM and TX, and anesthetic ratings were best for TX and EX. Time to recovery was longest and complications 2.56 times more likely with CX. Time to recumbency was shortest in TX. Heart rate was highest in CA and lowest in BAM. For immobilization procedures, this study suggests TX would be the preferred combination for . However, all drug combinations evaluated can be used successfully to immobilize and certain combinations may be situationally preferred based on desired muscle relaxation, expected induction or recovery times, or anticipated procedure length.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Hypnotics and Sedatives; Xylazine; Antelopes; Retrospective Studies; Niger; Immobilization; Azaperone; Medetomidine; Butorphanol; Etorphine; Drug Combinations; Anesthetics; Mustelidae
PubMed: 37817611
DOI: 10.1638/2021-0061 -
Frontiers in Veterinary Science 2023Epidural anesthesia is commonly administered as part of balanced anesthesia for perioperative analgesia. The main goal of this randomized clinical trial was to compare...
Epidural anesthesia is commonly administered as part of balanced anesthesia for perioperative analgesia. The main goal of this randomized clinical trial was to compare the efficacy of two epidural approaches in dogs undergoing surgery for a perineal hernia. A secondary aim was to compare motor blockade. Intact ASA 1 and 2 male dogs, weighing ≤25 kg with no previous surgery for perineal hernia were enrolled. After premedication with IM acepromazine 0.02 mg/kg and butorphanol 0.3 mg/kg, general anesthesia was induced with propofol and maintained with sevoflurane in oxygen. Dogs were randomly allocated to receive either a lumbosacral (LS, = 30) or a sacrococcygeal (SC, = 26) epidural injection with ropivacaine 1% (0.2 mL/kg) under computed tomography guidance. Successful analgesia was defined as no need of intraoperative rescue analgesia (fentanyl 3 μg/kg IV). Clinical failure was defined as the need of more than two boluses of fentanyl/h each dog received meloxicam 0.2 mg/kg IV at the end of the surgery. The Glasgow Composite Pain Scale short form (GCPS-SF), tactile sensitivity, pressure pain thresholds and motor blockade were assessed at 4, 6, 8, and 24 h after the epidural injection. Methadone (0.2 mg/kg, IV) was administered if the GCPS-SF was ≥6/24 points. Differences between groups were analyzed with the Mann-Whitney test, Student's -test or Fisher's Exact test, as appropriate. Success rate was assessed for non-inferiority between groups. The non-inferiority margin was set at -10%. Epidural analgesia was successful in 24 dogs in group LS and 17 dogs in group SC ( = 0.243), resulting in success rates of 80 and 65% in LS and SC groups, respectively. The non-inferiority of group SC versus group LS was confirmed. Clinical failure was recorded in two dogs in group LS and one dog in group SC. No significant differences between groups were detected in the GCPS-SF score, tactile sensitivity, pressure pain thresholds, need of post-operative methadone, or motor blockade. Both epidural techniques are valuable analgesic options for perineal hernia repair in dogs.
PubMed: 37808102
DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1163025