Effect of midazolam on the quality and duration of anaesthetic recovery in healthy dogs undergoing elective ovariohysterectomy or castration

Changes in Hematological and Biochemical Profiles in Ovariohysterectomized Bitches Using an Alfaxalone–Midazolam–Morphine–Sevoflurane Protocol

Simple Summary

Laboratory tests are an integral part of the overall diagnostic procedures for both physiological and pathological conditions. Ovariohysterectomy (OHE) in bitches is an invasive procedure, producing moderate to severe pain. The response to surgical stress is characterized by a series of neuroendocrine and metabolic changes that can be represented on hematological and biochemical profiles. The objective of this study was to evaluate the physiological response to surgical stress, predict the presence of possible post-surgical complications, and where appropriate, establish the appropriate treatment based on the hematochemical changes during and after OHE in healthy bitches. OHE in this study induced transient changes in certain hematological and biochemical parameters. Knowledge of the hematochemical changes in response to stress and trauma induced by OHE in healthy dogs would allow to predict possible post-surgical complications.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to monitor hematochemical changes during and after OHE in bitches. Twenty-four females were anesthetized with alfaxalone, midazolam, morphine and sevoflurane. Blood samples were taken before anesthesia (T0), at 30 (T1), and 60 min (T2), at 3 (T3), 6 (T4), 12 (T5), and 24 h (T6), and at 3 (T7) and 7 days (T8) from the start of surgery. Red blood cells (RBC) and packed cell volume (PCV) decreased significantly from T1 to T5 and hemoglobin (HB) concentration from T4 to T6. Both the white blood cell (WBC) and neutrophil (NFS) count increased significantly from T3 to T6, monocyte (MON) from T2 to T5, and eosinophil (EOS) at T5. Platelet (PLT) and plateletcrit (PCT) significantly decreased at T5 and increased from T6 to T8; platelet distribution width (PDW) increased significantly from T3 to T6. Creatine kinase (CK) activity increased significantly from T5 to T7. Glucose (GLU) concentrations increased significantly at T2 and P from T2 to T3. TG levels decreased from T2 to T4 and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels from T1 to T7, subsequently increasing until T8. Changes possibly resulting from stress and surgical trauma, as well as hemodilution and splenic storage, are due to anesthesia and surgery. In healthy bitches, these changes tend to gradually stabilize after the ending of OHE. A post-operative follow-up is essential to detect possible post-operative complications.

Scoping review of quality of anesthetic induction and recovery scales used for dogs

OBJECTIVE

To compare, describe and assess the level of validation of all instruments measuring quality of induction and recovery from anesthesia in dogs.

DATABASES USED

A search was performed using the electronic database PubMed to find articles containing an induction quality scale, a recovery quality scale or both in dogs. Articles not directly accessible through PubMed were obtained through the Auburn University Library website and Google Scholar. The phrases 'induction scoring systems dogs', 'recovery scoring systems dogs', 'anesthetic induction score dogs', and 'anesthetic recovery score dogs' were used for searches using the 'best match search' function. The time frame searched was from 1980 to May 2020. The search was conducted from March 2020 to May 2020.

CONCLUSIONS

A thoroughly tested and validated scale for measuring the quality of induction and recovery does not exist in the current veterinary literature. A large disagreement exists between studies on the use of induction and recovery scales, and many have reported inconsistent results with current instruments. It is recommended that an induction and recovery scale intended for wide-scale use be constructed and tested extensively for psychometric validation and reliability.

Gonadectomy in Raccoons: Anesthetic and Cardiorespiratory Effects of Two Ketamine-Based Pre-Anesthetic Protocols before Sevoflurane-Sufentanil

Nineteen raccoons were enrolled in this study. The aim was to evaluate and compare the quality of anesthesia and the cardiorespiratory effects following treatment with a ketamine-based combination with either dexmedetomidine (KD group) or midazolam (KM group) in raccoons undergoing ovariohysterectomy/orchiectomy. General anesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane in oxygen and sufentanil infusion. The time required to approach the animals was similar among groups resulting in a median of 5 min after IM injection. Animals in group KD were scored with greater myorelaxation (p < 0.01) and easier intubation (p < 0.05). Moreover 70% of them did not require other drugs for tracheal intubation unlike animals in group KM, which required propofol in 100% of cases. After intubation and connection to the breathing circuit, physiological parameters were monitored continuously and recorded every 5 min. Sevoflurane requirements were lower in group KD than KM (p = 0.005). Blood pressure was maintained within physiological ranges in both groups but with higher values in group KM (p < 0.05). Mild respiratory depression occurred during surgery and animals in group KM showed greater respiratory acidosis (p < 0.05). Recovery was smooth and uneventful in all animals. Both anesthetic protocols can be recommended for safe anesthesia in wild raccoons.