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IN july 2009, a new formulation of propofol (PropoClear; Fort Dodge Animal Health) became available in the UK for use as an injectable anaesthetic agent in dogs and cats. PropoClear is a lipid-free and transparent microemulsion of propofol that is licensed for use up to 28 days after the vial is opened. It has a decreased risk of microbial contamination compared with the white lipid macroemulsion formulation, which must be discarded within six hours of opening. PropoClear contains 1 per cent propofol combined with methyl-and propyl-parahydroxybenzoate, poloxamer 188, polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, citric acid, sodium hydroxide and water for injection. This short communication reports apparent local pain reactions in six of seven dogs following repeated intravenous administration of PropoClear.Seven dogs underwent radiotherapy treatment under general anaesthesia three times a week for four weeks (for a total of 12 treatments). The dogs' demographic data are reported in Table 1. For general anaesthesia, a peripheral indwelling intravenous polyurethane catheter (Introcan-W Certo; B. Braun) was placed at the beginning of each week. The size of the catheter (22G x 1" [25.4 mm] or 20G x 1¼" [31.8 mm]) was chosen in relation to the size of the dog and the vein being catheterised (cephalic or saphenous). The length and gauge of the catheter was chosen so that it could be secured in place effectively and allow rapid intravenous administration of drugs or solutions. The catheter sites were clipped and cleaned with two swabs of 0.5 per cent chlorhexidine gluconate followed by one swab of chlorhexidine gluconate in ethanol solution before catheter placement. None of the catheter sites was within the radiation treatment field. All the dogs had had the catheter in place for a variable period of time, up to a maximum of five days, when PropoClear was administered for the first time. The intravenous catheters were flushed with heparinised saline to ensure their patency before premedication and induction agents were administered. No reaction was observed when the catheters were flushed with heparinised saline or when the premedication drugs were administered. Five minutes after premedication, all the dogs were mildly or deeply sedated; PropoClear was then administered. For a period of TABLE 1: Demographic data for seven dogs that received a new formulation of propofol for induction of anaesthesia Dog Breed Sex Age Weight (kg)

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Accurate access to the thoracic epidural space is possible via a lumbar approach using a stimulating epidural catheter. Based on gross and histopathological examination, this technique resulted in frequent complications, including subdural hemorrhage, deep spinal cord damage, and subarachnoid catheter placement.

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