ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the sedative, respiratory and cardiovascular effects of subcutaneously administered alfaxalone and butorphanol in a group of hyperthyroid cats. DESIGN: A prospective, single-centre observational study. METHODS: Client-owned hyperthyroid cats (n=20) were examined and sedated with alfaxalone (3 mg/kg) and butorphanol (0.2 mg/kg) administered subcutaneously. Sedation scores, heart rate, respiratory rate and blood pressure were measured at 15-min intervals during the 45-min observation period and compared with pre-sedation values. At the end of 45 min, cats were assessed to be adequately sedated for oral administration of iodine-131 if there was minimal resistance and an intact gag reflex. RESULTS: The maximum median sedation score was reached 45 min after injection. The lowest mean heart and respiratory rates and blood pressure values occurred 30 min after injection. Significant decreases were noted in respiratory rates at all three time points (P<0.001). Systolic, diastolic and mean blood pressure measurements were also significantly decreased at 15 and 30 min after injection (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Subcutaneously administered alfaxalone and butorphanol can be used for sedation in cats undergoing procedures of short duration. Blood pressure should be monitored because of transient decreases observed in some cats. Further studies are required to determine whether the sedative, respiratory and cardiovascular effects are similar in euthyroid cats.
Subject(s)
Butorphanol/administration & dosage , Cat Diseases/physiopathology , Cats/physiology , Conscious Sedation/veterinary , Hyperthyroidism/veterinary , Pregnanediones/administration & dosage , Anesthetics, Dissociative/administration & dosage , Animals , Blood Pressure , Cardiovascular System/drug effects , Conscious Sedation/methods , Drug Combinations , Female , Heart Rate/drug effects , Hyperthyroidism/physiopathology , Hypnotics and Sedatives/administration & dosage , Injections, Subcutaneous/veterinary , Male , Prospective Studies , Respiration/drug effectsABSTRACT
CASE HISTORY: A 16-year-old dog was presented to the University of Melbourne Veterinary Clinic and Hospital for dyspnoea and tachypnoea, which had been occurring over the previous 48 h prior to presentation. CLINICAL FINDINGS: Physical examination findings included marked wheezing and inspiratory noises on thoracic auscultation. Diagnostic tests performed revealed a large pulmonary mass, the presence of hypertrophic osteopathy in the forelimbs and an abnormal myocardium. The patient continued to deteriorate while in hospital, and was euthanased at the owner's request. A post-mortem examination was carried out, which revealed the presence of two separate pulmonary masses, one of which was completely occluding the mainstem bronchus. DIAGNOSIS: One tumour was histologically classified as an adenocarcinoma, the other as an extraskeletal osteosarcoma. The osteosarcoma had metastasised to the myocardium, spleen and kidneys. The forelimb changes were consistent with hypertrophic osteopathy. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This is the first reported case of two separate pulmonary masses in a dog, one of which metastasised to the myocardium. Hypertrophic osteopathy is a common pathological condition associated with a broad spectrum of diseases. The aim of this case report is to highlight the condition and remind clinicians of its relatively common incidence, as well as to prompt clinicians to look for underlying pathology. The current understanding of the pathophysiology of hypertrophic osteopathy is also discussed.
