Comparative evaluation of clinical efficiency of intramuscular diazepam-ketamine, medetomidine-ketamine, and xylazine-ketamine anaesthesia in Ring-necked pheasants (Phasianus colchicus).

BACKGROUND: Several injectable anaesthetics and sedatives are used in various avian species for general anaesthesia. Birds are very sensitive animals and any mismanagement in a crisis can lead to immediate shock and death. Therefore, careful selection of the safest possible anaesthetic agent and dose is very important. AIMS: The aim of this study was to examine the clinical efficiency of diazepam-ketamine (DK), medetomidine-ketamine (MK), and xylazine-ketamine (XK) combinations anaesthetic regimens in pheasants. METHODS: Twenty-four pheasants were divided into three equal groups and received one of three anaesthetic combinations by intramuscular injections: 9.0 mg/kg diazepam and 150.0 mg/kg ketamine, 0.20 mg/kg medetomidine and 80.0 mg/kg ketamine, and 3.0 mg/kg xylazine and 80.0 mg/kg ketamine. Each pheasant was pre-medicated with sedative drugs and 5 min later, anaesthesia was induced with ketamine injection. RESULTS: The weak time (2.50 ± 1.07 min; mean±SD) and down time (6.13 ± 1.25 min) were shortest in group XK. The sleep time was longest (73 ± 20.24 min) while the recovery time (157 ± 13.61 min) was shortest in group MK. Muscle relaxation was excellent during the anaesthesia in all groups. The recovery phase of the birds was uneventful. Heart rate (HR) in DK group was statistically higher than MK and XK groups. Body temperature (BT) decreased in all groups compared to baseline values and those of MK group were lower than DK and XK groups. Respiratory rate (RR) in XK group was significantly lower than DK and MK groups. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the MK combination shows better anaesthetic outcome compared to DK or XK combinations in pheasants.

Treatment of unilateral congenital flexural and torsional limb deformities with circular external skeletal fixation system in two calves.

CASE DESCRIPTION: Two calves with unilateral congenital flexural and torsional limb deformities below the hock joint of the left hindlimb were presented to Veterinary Teaching Hospital of the Ondokuz Mayis University. According to clinical, goniometric and radiological examinations, flexural (130°-40°) and torsional (90°-180°) deformities were diagnosed. Except for the limb deformities, both animals were otherwise completely healthy. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: In case 1, hock joint arthrodesis was performed using a circular external skeletal fixation system with four full rings 160 mm in diameter. In case 2, the deformity was corrected by fixation after transverse osteotomy at the level of the proximal metatarsals with four full rings 150 mm in diameter, and arthrodesis of the fetlock joint with three full rings 100 mm in diameter. According to clinical examinations and follow-up telephone interviews performed 15 and 24 weeks after discharge, functional use with slight lameness in case 1 and full functional use in case 2 had been achieved. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: None of the previously reported cases of flexural deformity had radiographic signs similar to those of the calves in our report, and the deformities were not as severe as those reported here. To our knowledge, this is the first report of treatment of unilateral congenital flexural and torsional deformities in calves with a circular external skeletal fixation system.

Stabilisation with dorsal and ventral fixation of a traumatic cervical instability in a dog.

This case study reports the outcome of dorsal and ventral stabilisation of a traumatic cervical instability in a dog. A 2-year-old, male Pointer was admitted following a motor vehicle accident. Clinical examination revealed non-ambulatory tetraparesis, severe neck pain and upper motor neuron changes in all limbs. Deep pain response was present. Subluxation of C2/3 and fractures of the dorsal spinous process and lamina of C2 were observed on radiographs. Ventral stabilisation was performed with screws and bone cement (polymethylmethacrylate). For dorsal fixation of the fractures, screws and cerclage wire were used. The dog stood up independently after 1 month, was able to walk 1.5 months postoperatively and had recovered completely at 1 year following surgery. We conclude that combined stabilisation techniques are effective for this type of cervical fracture in which the dorsal, middle and ventral structures of the vertebra are severely disrupted.