Induction of anesthesia and recovery in donkeys sedated with xylazine: a comparison of midazolam-alfaxalone and midazolam-ketamine.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the induction and recovery characteristics and selected cardiopulmonary variables of midazolam-alfaxalone or midazolam-ketamine in donkeys sedated with xylazine. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized, blinded, crossover experimental trial. ANIMALS: A group of seven adult male castrated donkeys weighing 164 ± 14 kg. METHODS: Donkeys were randomly administered midazolam (0.05 mg kg-1) and alfaxalone (1 mg kg-1) or midazolam (0.05 mg kg-1) and ketamine (2.2 mg kg-1) intravenously following sedation with xylazine, with ≥ 7 days between treatments. Donkeys were not endotracheally intubated and breathed room air. Time to lateral recumbency, first movement, sternal recumbency and standing were recorded. Induction and recovery were assigned scores between 1 (very poor) and 5 (excellent). Heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (fR), invasive arterial blood pressures and arterial blood gases were measured before induction and every 5 minutes following induction until first movement. RESULTS: Time to lateral recumbency (mean ± standard deviation) was shorter after alfaxalone (29 ± 10 seconds) compared with ketamine (51 ± 9 seconds; p = 0.01). Time to first movement was the same between treatments (27 versus 23 minutes). Time to standing was longer with alfaxalone (58 ± 15 minutes) compared with ketamine (33 ± 8 minutes; p = 0.01). Recovery score [median (range)] was of lower quality with alfaxalone [3 (2-5)] compared with ketamine [5 (3-5); p = 0.03]. There were no differences in HR, fR or arterial pressures between treatments. No clinically important differences in blood gases were identified between treatments. Five of seven donkeys administered alfaxalone became hypoxemic (PaO2 <60 mmHg; 8.0 kPa) and all donkeys administered ketamine became hypoxemic (p = 0.13). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Both midazolam-alfaxalone and midazolam-ketamine produced acceptable anesthetic induction and recovery in donkeys after xylazine sedation. Hypoxemia occurred with both treatments.

Coil embolization of an aorticopulmonary fistula in a dog.

An 8-year-old, castrated male Basset Hound was evaluated for congestive heart failure and atrial fibrillation. Echocardiography and angiography demonstrated a left-to-right shunting aorticopulmonary fistula. Coil embolization of the fistula was initially successful in reducing the volume of blood flow through the vascular network. The dog was medically managed for congestive heart failure until it was euthanized 6 months after initial presentation. The physiology and treatment of centrally located arteriovenous fistulae are discussed.

Effect of combined simvastatin and cyclosporine compared with simvastatin alone on cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage in a canine model.

OBJECT: The object of this study was to determine whether the combination of cyclosporine and simvastatin could ameliorate cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in a canine model to a greater extent than simvastatin alone. METHODS: Animals were assigned to one of three groups: control (five dogs), simvastatin alone (four), or simvastatin and cyclosporine (four). A double SAH model was used. Baseline basilar artery (BA) angiograms were obtained. These were repeated at Days 3, 7, and 10. Measurement of the BA diameter was performed. Decreased BA diameter was seen on Day 3 in the control and simvastatin/cyclosporine group. A return to baseline diameters was seen by Day 7. An increase from baseline diameter was seen in the simvastatin group at Day 10. CONCLUSIONS: Cyclosporine may interfere with the vasodilatory effects of simvastatin. Vasodilation greater than baseline is seen at Day 10 in the simvastatin group. The combination of simvastatin and cyclosporine does not ameliorate cerebral vasospasm in a canine model to a greater extent than simvastatin alone.