Clinical techniques in veterinary dermatology Regional anaesthesia of the canine and feline nose.

Local anaesthesia techniques are now essential parts of the multimodal analgesic approach applied in the care of small animals. The sensory innervation of the nose is provided by the maxillary division of the trigeminal nerve, so nasal pain can be prevented or alleviated by blocking branches of this nerve. Maxillary or infraorbital nerve block can be used if invasive procedures are performed on the nose of the canine and feline patients. Clear anatomical landmarks facilitate the placements of these blocks, which impose relatively low risk to the patients. These blocks do not require any advanced equipment and all necessary material is widely available in small animal veterinary practices. The total dose of the local anaesthetic agents should be calculated precisely to avoid toxicity.

Les techniques d'anesthésie locale sont aujourd'hui une part essentielle de l'approche analgésique multimodale appliquée aux soins des petits animaux. L'innervation sensorielle du nez est assurée par la division maxillaire du nerf trijumeau, de sorte que la douleur nasale peut être prévenue ou soulagée en bloquant les branches de ce nerf. Un bloc nerveux maxillaire ou sous-orbitaire peut être utilisé si des procédures invasives sont effectuées sur le nez des patients canins et félins. Des repères anatomiques clairs facilitent la mise en place de ces blocs, qui présentent un risque relativement faible pour les patients. Ces blocs ne nécessitent aucun équipement de pointe et tout le matériel nécessaire est largement disponible dans les cabinets vétérinaires pour petits animaux. La dose totale des agents anesthésiques locaux doit être calculée avec précision pour éviter toute toxicité.

Las técnicas de anestesia local son ahora partes esenciales en la estrategia analgésica multimodal aplicado para el cuidado de animales pequeños. La inervación sensorial de la nariz la proporciona la división maxilar del nervio trigémino, por lo que el dolor nasal se puede prevenir o aliviar bloqueando las ramas de este nervio. El bloqueo del nervio maxilar o infraorbitario se puede utilizar si se realizan procedimientos invasivos en la nariz de los pacientes caninos y felinos. Los puntos de referencia anatómicos claros facilitan la colocación de estos bloqueos, que suponen un riesgo relativamente bajo para los pacientes. Estos bloqueos no requieren ningún equipo avanzado y todo el material necesario está ampliamente disponible en las prácticas veterinarias de pequeños animales. La dosis total de los agentes anestésicos locales debe calcularse con precisión para evitar la toxicidad.

As técnicas de anestesia local são partes essenciais da abordagem anestésica multimodal aplicada na assistência de pequenos animais. A inervação sensorial do nariz é fornecida pela a divisão maxilar do nervo trigêmeo, assim, a dor nasal por ser prevenida ou aliviada pelo bloqueio dos ramos deste nervo. O bloqueio do nervo maxilar ou infraorbital pode ser utilizado em procedimentos invasivos realizados no nariz de cães e gatos. Marcadores anatômicos claros facilitam o posicionamento desses bloqueios, submetendo os pacientes a um risco relativamente baixo. Esses bloqueios não necessitam de nenhum equipamento avançado e todo o material necessário é amplamente disponível em clínicas e hospitais veterinários. A dose total dos anestésicos locais deve ser calculada com precisão para evitar toxicidade.

A comparison of the effect of propofol and alfaxalone on laryngeal motion in nonbrachycephalic and brachycephalic dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect of propofol and alfaxalone on laryngeal motion under a light plane of anaesthesia in nonbrachycephalic and brachycephalic dogs anaesthetized for nonemergency procedures. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, randomized clinical trial. ANIMALS: A total of 48 client-owned dogs (24 nonbrachycephalic and 24 brachycephalic). METHODS: A standardized premedication of methadone (0.2 mg kg-1) and acepromazine (0.01 mg kg-1) was administered intramuscularly. Dogs were randomly assigned to be induced with increments of propofol (1-4 mg kg-1) or alfaxalone (0.5-2 mg kg-1). Laryngeal assessment was performed under a light plane of anaesthesia by a surgeon (GTH) who was unaware of the induction protocol. Laryngeal movement was assessed as either being present when abduction of the laryngeal cartilages upon inspiration was identified, or absent when abduction was not recognized. Simultaneously, a 60-second video was recorded. The same surgeon (GTH) and an additional surgeon (NK) re-evaluated the videos 1 month later. Categorical comparisons were studied using Chi square and Fisher's exact test where appropriate. Pairwise evaluation of agreement between scorers was undertaken with the kappa statistic (κ). RESULTS: There were no significant differences (p > 0.05) identified between the presence or absence of laryngeal motion between dogs administered propofol or alfaxalone, as well as when analysing nonbrachycephalic and brachycephalic dogs separately. The majority of dogs (>75%) maintained some degree of laryngeal motion with both protocols. Agreement between assessors was excellent (κ = 0.822). CONCLUSIONS: Alfaxalone maintained laryngeal motion similarly to propofol in nonbrachycephalic and brachycephalic dogs. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Both agents would appear appropriate for allowing assessment of laryngeal motion in nonbrachycephalic and brachycephalic dogs. The assessment technique of subjective evaluation of laryngeal motion via peroral laryngoscopy under a light plane of anaesthesia produced consistent results amongst assessors, regardless of the induction agent used.