A 5-month-old female cria with body mass of 30 kg was referred to the Langford Vet farm animal practice for management of a left tibial eminence avulsion fracture. Preanaesthetic medication consisted of xylazine 0.3 mg/kg and butorphanol 0.2 mg/kg intravenously, followed by induction of anaesthesia with ketamine 4 mg/kg intravenously. Anaesthesia was maintained with isoflurane vaporised in oxygen. A multimodal analgesic approach consisting of an ultrasound-guided sciatic and saphenous nerve block using a combination of 2 mg/kg of lidocaine and 10 μg/kg of detomidine and a continuous infusion of ketamine 25 μg/kg/minute were used. Total anaesthetic time was 375 minutes. The cria received paracetamol 5 mg/kg and flunixin meglumine 2 mg/kg intravenously in the postoperative period. The cria was weight bearing on the operated hind limb 3 hours post-extubation. Intravenous meloxicam (0.5 mg/kg/day) was administered 24 hours postoperatively for 4 days. Amoxicillin 15 mg/kg intramuscularly every 48 hours was continued until discharge.

BackgroundThis is a pilot study to evaluate the effects of fentanyl on intraocular pressure (IOP) and pupil size (PS) in dogs premedicated with medetomidine and methadone.MethodsSixteen dogs with a median (first quartile–third quartile) age of 3.5 (1.25–6) years and a mean (sd) weight of 18.6 (9.2) kg were included. Baseline readings of IOP and PS were recorded before all dogs were premedicated intramuscularly with medetomidine (10 µg/kg) and methadone (0.5 mg/kg). Both measurements were repeated 15 and 30 minutes later. Following this, the dogs were randomly assigned into two groups. The fentanyl group received intravenous fentanyl (10 µg/kg), while the control group received the same volume of saline solution intravenously. IOP and PS measurements were measured and recorded in both groups at one, five and ten minutes after intravenous injection. Data were analysed with one-way and two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance or their non-parametric equivalents.ResultsPS was significantly decreased 15 and 30 minutes following intramuscular premedication and IOP was significantly increased in the fentanyl group at all time points following intravenous administration.ConclusionsMedetomidine, methadone and fentanyl combinations are not recommended for use in patients where an increase in IOP or decrease in PS is undesirable.

A 9‐year‐old, male, 0.69 kg, corn snake was referred for enucleation of its right eye. Pre‐anaesthetic medication consisted of butorphanol (1 mg/kg) and alfaxalone (10 mg/kg) intramuscularly. Orotracheal intubation was then performed. General anaesthesia was maintained with sevoflurane in 100% oxygen. During the general anaesthesia, the snake was manually ventilated. At the end of the surgery, the orbit was packed with a haemostatic sponge soaked in 0.75 mg/kg of 0.5% bupivacaine. Meloxicam (0.4 mg/kg) was administered subcutaneously as a part of the multimodal analgesic protocol. Total anaesthetic time was 90 minutes. Following 2 minutes of sevoflurane discontinuation, the snake started moving and the trachea was extubated. The snake displayed normal behaviour, although a short period of hypothermia was suspected in recovery. No other complications were encountered. The snake was discharged 4 hours after the end of surgery; meloxicam (0.2 mg/kg) was prescribed once daily, orally, for 14 days.

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