Topographic laparoscopy for buffaloes in the quadruped position.

This study aimed to describe the anatomical topography of the abdominal cavity of buffaloes in the quadruped position to establish the best endosurgical access and vantage points and identify possible limitations. Laparoscopies were performed on 10 healthy female buffaloes obtained from the Universidade Federal Rural da Amazônia to explore possible access points to the abdomen. Techniques for assessing and possibly observing certain organs and structures through the left and right flanks of 10 animals have been described. In five animals, access was created through the right side of the last intercostal space to allow more cranial access to the abdominal cavity. Despite the presence of the rumen, access through the left flank allowed the visualization of the structures of the gastrointestinal tract and the genitourinary system. With access through the right flank, however, imaging was hampered by the presence of the greater omentum and its deep and superficial walls, which prevented the progression of the endoscope. Access through the last right intercostal space allowed the visualization of the cranial structures of the abdominal cavity, such as the caudate process, right lobe of the liver, right kidney, and pancreas. Laparoscopic access through the left flank and the last intercostal space in healthy buffaloes in the quadruped position is feasible, and it is promising for the exploration, diagnosis, and treatment of various disorders in buffaloes.

Sedative and cardiopulmonary effects of xylazine alone or in combination with methadone, morphine or tramadol in sheep.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the cardiopulmonary and sedative effects of xylazine alone or in combination with methadone, morphine or tramadol in sheep. STUDY DESIGN: Experimental, prospective, crossover, randomized, blinded study. ANIMALS: Six Santa Inês breed sheep (females) aged 12 ± 8 months and weighing 39.5 ± 7.4 kg. METHODS: Sheep were sedated with each of four treatments in a randomized, crossover design, with a minimum washout period of 7 days between treatments. Treatments were: X [xylazine (0.1 mg kg(-1))]; XM [xylazine (0.1 mg kg(-1)) and methadone (0.5 mg kg(-1))]; XMO [xylazine (0.1 mg kg(-1)) and morphine (0.5 mg kg(-1))], and XT [xylazine (0.1 mg kg(-1)) and tramadol (5 mg kg(-1))]. Each drug combination was mixed in the syringe and injected intravenously. Sedation, heart rate (HR), mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), rectal temperature (RT°C), respiratory rate (fR), arterial blood gases and electrolytes were measured before drug administration (T0) and then at 15 minute intervals for 120 minutes (T15-T120). RESULTS: Heart rate significantly decreased in all treatments compared with T0. PaCO2 values in XM and XMO were higher at all time points compared with T0. In treatments X and XM, pH, bicarbonate (HCO3-) and base excess were increased at all time points compared with T0. PaO2 was significantly decreased at T15-T75 in XM, at all time points in XMO, and at T15 and T30 in XT. Sedation at T15 and T30 in XM and XMO was greater than in the other treatments. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The combinations of methadone, morphine or tramadol with xylazine resulted in cardiopulmonary changes similar to those induced by xylazine alone in sheep. The combinations provided better sedation, principally at 15 minutes and 30 minutes following administration.