Plasma and erythrocyte fatty acids in captive Asian (Elephas maximus) and African (Loxodonta africana) elephants.

The fatty acid components of the plasma triglycerides and the phospholipid fractions of the red blood cells of a captive group of two African (Loxodonta africana) and four Asian (Elephas maximus) elephants were investigated. All the animals received the same diet of hay, fruits and vegetables, and concentrates. A comparison with data from free-ranging African elephants or Asian work-camp elephants showed that the captive elephants had lower proportions of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), and for several lipid fractions a higher n-6:n-3 ratio, than their counterparts in the wild or under the more natural, in terms of diet, work-camp conditions. The difference in PUFA content was smaller in the African than in the Asian elephants. The captive Asian elephants tended to have lower levels of n-3 and total unsaturated fatty acids in their red blood cells than the captive African elephants.

Minimal alveolar concentration of desflurane in combination with an infusion of medetomidine for the anaesthesia of ponies.

The minimum alveolar concentration of desflurane when combined with a continuous infusion of medetomidine at 3.5 microg/kg/hour was measured in seven ponies. Anaesthesia was induced with medetomidine (7 microg/kg intravenously) followed by ketamine (2 mg/kg intravenously) and maintained with desflurane in oxygen. The infusion of medetomidine was started 20 minutes after the induction of anaesthesia. The electrical test stimulus was applied at the coronary band (50 V, 10 ms bursts at 5 Hz for one minute), and heart rates and rhythms, arterial blood pressures, and arterial blood gas tensions were measured at intervals, just before the application of the stimulus. The mean (sd) minimum alveolar concentration of desflurane was 5.3 (1.04) per cent (range 3.2 to 6.4 per cent), 28 per cent less than the previously published value for desflurane alone after the induction of anaesthesia with xylazine and ketamine. The cardiopulmonary parameters remained stable throughout the period of anaesthesia. The mean (sd) time taken by the ponies to stand after the administration of desflurane ceased was 16.5 (6.17) (range 5.8 to 26) minutes, and the quality of recovery was good or excellent. However, one pony died shortly after standing; a postmortem examination revealed that it had chronic left atrial dilatation.

[Clinical investigations of an i.m. combination anesthesia with fentanylclimazolam/xylazine and postoperative i.v. antagonism with naloxone/sarmazenil/yohimbine in guinea pigs]. / Klinische Untersuchungen zur i.m. Kombinationsanästhesie mit Fentanyl/Climazolam/Xylazin und postoperativer i.v. Antagonisierung mit Naloxon/Sarmazenil/Yohimbin beim Meerschweinchen.

Aim of the study was the clinical use of a completely antagonisable anaesthesia in guinea pigs. The dosage based on experimental studies. Fentanyl, climazolam and xylazine (0.05/2.0/2.0 mg/kg) were injected i.m. for combination anaesthesia and naloxone, sarmazenil and yohimbine (0.03/0.3/2.0 mg/kg) i.v. were used for antagonisation. 18 guinea pigs (17 female, one male) with an average body weight of 1177 g aged between eight months and five years were anaesthetised for various surgical procedures. The following clinical parameters were measured: body temperature, muscle relaxation, analgesia, hyperacusia, righting-, interdigital- and palpebral reflex. After antagonisation the return of righting reflex, the appearance of muscle trembling, the first walking without ataxia and the first food uptake were observed. The investigations showed that this kind of anaesthesia is suitable for surgical procedures in the guinea pig and is very safe because of the complete antagonisation of the depressing respiratory and circulatory effects of anaesthesia.

[Anesthesia in cats using tiletamine/zolazepam in minimal doses]. / Zur Anästhesie bei der Katze mit Tiletamin/Zolazepam in Minimaldosierung.

The object of this study was to evaluate minimal dose anesthesia with Tiletamine/Zolazepam for castration, dental treatments and other minor surgical procedures in cats. The study included 264 cats treated either at the Department of Veterinary Surgery, Ludwig-Maximilians University of Munich or under private practice conditions, in a small animal clinic in Hamburg (Germany). The drug dose needed for anesthesia for a 10 minute surgical procedure was calculated in each case using a formula. Side effects that occurred with doses recommended by the manufacturer could not be eliminated by decreasing the drug dose, but could be reduced considerably in severity and duration. Tiletamine/Zolazepam was found to be a useful drug for short anesthesia in cats at an average dose of 4.2 mg/kg.

[Adams-Stokes syndrome and therapy with pacemaker implantation in a dog]. / Adams-Stokes-Syndrom und Therapie mit Schrittmacherimplantation bei einem Hund.

Case report concerning therapeutic pacemaker implantation in a 3 year old West-Highland-White terrier with Adams-Stokes syncopes. EKG's, X-ray-pictures, illustrations of the pulse rate and quality and oxygen measurements with a "Pulsoximeter" before and during surgery are shown. A special place takes the report of selection and control of the anesthesia in this case of a special operation. 17 references and 11 pictures.

[Pulse oximetry--a non-invasive method for direct and continuous monitoring of oxygen saturation and pulse rate--comparative studies with blood gas analysis and hemoreflectometry in the dog, swine and sheep]. / Die Pulsoximetrie--ein nicht invasives Verfahren zur unmittelbaren und kontinuierlichen Uberwachung von Sauerstoffsättigung und Pulsfrequenz--Vergleichsstudien zur Blutgasanalyse und zum Hämoreflektometer an Hund, Schwein und Schaf.

The use of pulse oximeters as a non-invasive, real time and online method for the continuous monitoring of oxygen saturation is discussed and compared to other methods like hemoreflectometry, and blood gas analysis. Analyses of linear regression show extraordinarily good correlations between all three monitoring systems. Pulse oximetry and hemoreflectometry on the one hand and blood gas analysis on the other hand sometimes show quite differing values of oxygen saturation. This phenomenon is due to the fact that the measuring methods are based on different working principles as well as it can be explained by the various hemoglobin-types. The pulse rate also measured by the pulse oximeter is nearly completely identical to the heart rate of the ECG. A slight temporal delay between the two acoustic signals is noticed and justified. Pulse oximetry seems to be superior to other oxygen monitoring systems because of its continuous noninvasive measuring technique.