Temperature control during pars plana vitrectomy.

Purpose: To evaluate the impact of temperature-controlled pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) on structural and functional outcomes in a rabbit eye model in vivo.

Methods: Ten healthy New Zealand White rabbits underwent temperature-controlled PPV in the right eye (group A), using a device specifically designed to heat the infusion fluid/air and integrated into the vitrectomy machine, and conventional PPV in the left eye (group B). Both eyes received ophthalmic examination and electroretinography (ERG) before and 1 week postoperatively.

Development of an ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation technique in the equine cadaveric distal limb: histological findings and potential for treating chronic lameness.

Introduction: Radiofrequency (RF) relieves chronic pain in humans, but it is unexplored in horses affected by chronic lameness. This study aims to describe the technique and the histological effects of ultrasound (US)-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of palmar digital nerves (PDNs) in horse's fetlock and pastern, .

Methods: After assessing the US anatomy of lateral and medial PDNs in fetlock and pastern ( = 10 horses; 20 forelimbs), US-guided RFA was performed on these sites in cadaveric forelimbs ( = 10) applying four different settings with increasing invasiveness ( = 40 total treatments): 60°C, 6 min (GROUP LOW); 70°C, 4 min (GROUP MEDIUM); 90°C, 2 min (GROUP HIGH); 80°C, 8 min (GROUP VERY HIGH).

Clinical effects of perineural dexmedetomidine or magnesium sulphate as adjuvants to ropivacaine in dogs undergoing tibial plateau leveling osteotomy.

The study aimed to compare the quality of perioperative analgesia, the motor block duration, and the effects on main cardiovascular parameters of dexmedetomidine (1 μg/kg/nerve block) or magnesium sulphate (2 mg/kg/nerve block) as adjuvants to 0.3% ropivacaine for sciatic and saphenous nerves block in dogs undergoing tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO). Dogs randomly received perineural dexmedetomidine-ropivacaine (D group), magnesium sulphate-ropivacaine (M group), or ropivacaine (C group).

Welfare of invertebrates: a pilot study on a new land snail stunning technique.

The almost complete absence of regulations to protect invertebrates is a common condition in legal systems, including the European one, especially when it comes to invertebrates intended for human consumption. Thus, in the vast majority of cases, edible invertebrates do not receive even the most basic protection at slaughter. Despite recent research indicating that invertebrates are capable of feeling pain and stress, the humane step of stunning is not used on them.

Pharmacokinetics of dexmedetomidine in anaesthetized horses following repeated subcutaneous administration and intravenous constant rate infusion.

Background: The inclusion of dexmedetomidine (DEX) within a balanced general anaesthesia protocol is effective in improving the clinical outcome and recovery quality of anaesthesia in horses. This study aimed to determine the pharmacokinetic profile of DEX following repeated subcutaneous (SC) administration at 2 µg/kg every 60 min till the end of the procedure in comparison to intravenous constant rate infusion (CRI) at 1 µg/kg/h in anaesthetized horses undergoing diagnostic procedures up to the end of the diagnostic procedure.

Results: In the CRI and SC groups DEX maximum concentrations (C) were 0.

Gabapentin: Clinical Use and Pharmacokinetics in Dogs, Cats, and Horses.

Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant drug, which presents an established clinical efficacy in human patients for the management of refractory partial seizures, secondarily generalized tonic-clonic seizures, and for the control of chronic neuropathic pain. Gabapentin was synthesized as a structural analogue of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA, with GABA-mimetic effects, able to cross the blood-brain barrier. In veterinary medicine, is extra-label used in combination with other treatments to control seizures when other drugs are no longer effective or become toxic or for neuropathic pain treatment and anxiety.

Comparison of intraperitoneal and incisional lidocaine or ropivacaine irrigation for postoperative analgesia in dogs undergoing major abdominal surgeries.

This study compared the postoperative analgesic efficacy of intraperitoneal and incisional lidocaine versus ropivacaine in dogs undergoing major abdominal surgeries. Dogs randomly received intraperitoneal lidocaine irrigation (4 mg kg-1, diluted to 5 ml kg-1, L group), ropivacaine (4 mg kg-1, diluted to 5 ml kg-1, R group) or 0.9% saline (5 ml kg-1, C group).

Comparison of two multimodal intramuscular anaesthetic protocols in uncooperative feline patients: effects on sedation and echocardiographic measurements.

Objectives: The aims of this study were to compare the sedative effect, feasibility of venous angiocatheter placement and influence on heart rate (HR), systemic blood pressure (SBP) and echocardiographic variables of two multimodal anaesthetic protocols in uncooperative cats; and to compare their influence on HR, SBP and echocardiographic variables 20 mins after sedation and after elective ovariectomy.

Methods: Eighteen stray female cats randomly received intramuscular (IM) ketamine (2 mg/kg) and methadone (0.3 mg/kg) plus dexmedetomidine (7 µg/kg; group D, n = 9) or alfaxalone (2 mg/kg; group A, n = 9).

Comparison of two injectable anaesthetic protocols in Egyptian fruit bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus) undergoing gonadectomy.

Egyptian fruit bats have gained increasing interest being a natural reservoir for emerging zoonotic viruses. Anaesthesia is often required to allow safe handling of bats. We aimed to compare the sedative and cardiopulmonary effects of two balanced anaesthetic protocols in bats undergoing gonadectomy.

Molecular Detection of Feline Coronavirus in Captive Non-Domestic Felids from Zoological Facilities.

Cases of feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), a disease with a high mortality rate caused by the feline coronavirus (FCoV), have been reported in non-domestic felids, highlighting the need for surveys of FCoV in these endangered species. With the aim of adding information on FCoV prevalence in captive non-domestic felids, samples (feces or rectal swabs and, when available, oral swabs, blood, and abdominal effusion) collected between 2019 and 2021 from 38 non-domestic felids from three different zoological facilities of Northern Italy were tested for evidence of FCoV infection via RT-qPCR. Three animals were found to be FCoV positive, showing an overall 7.

Use of dexmedetomidine repeated subcutaneous administration for balanced anaesthesia in horses.

Background: A balanced anaesthetic protocol is a common concept in modern veterinary anaesthesia and aims to maintain good intraoperative cardiopulmonary function. In horses, alpha-2-agonists produce sedation and analgesia and have been shown to reduce inhalational anaesthetic requirements when administered intravenously. Furthermore, these drugs can improve recovery quality.

Morphometric study of the ventricular indexes in healthy ovine BRAIN using MRI.

Background: Sheep (Ovis aries) have been largely used as animal models in a multitude of specialties in biomedical research. The similarity to human brain anatomy in terms of brain size, skull features, and gyrification index, gives to ovine as a large animal model a better translational value than small animal models in neuroscience. Despite this evidence and the availability of advanced imaging techniques, morphometric brain studies are lacking.

Hematological and Biochemical Reference Values in Healthy Captive Tigers ().

The tiger () is an endangered species. The health of individuals is important and any data on hematological and biochemical blood values can provide valuable information; when combined with physical assessment. This data assists in both the diagnosis of disease and some conservation strategies.

Causes of Death in Stray Cat Colonies of Milan: A Five-Year Report.

The presence of cats in urban environments has a long history. In Italy, stray cats are protected by national and regional laws, and programs of neutering and reintroduction to colonies are ongoing. Colony cats have been widely studied from a behavioral perspective, while surveys regarding their causes of death are limited, although they may provide relevant information related to public health and cat welfare.

Circulating miRNome of Trachemys scripta after elective gonadectomy under general anesthesia.

Post-surgical management is an important issue in veterinary medicine, requiring biomarkers with high sensitivity and specificity for timely and effective treatment. Emerging evidence suggests that miRNAs are promising stress- and pain-related markers. The aims were to profile the circulating miRNA signature in plasma of turtles (Trachemys scripta) and point out potential candidate biomarkers to assess the status of the animal.

Towards an improved pain assessment in castrated horses using facial expressions (HGS) and circulating miRNAs.

Background: Pain in horses is an emergent welfare concern, and its assessment represents a challenge for equine clinicians. This study aimed at improving pain assessment in horses through a convergent validation of existing tools: we investigated whether an effective analgesic treatment influences the horse grimace scale (HGS) and the concentration of specific circulating microRNAs (miRNAs).

Methods: Eleven stallions underwent routine surgical castration under general anaesthesia.

Comparison of four peribulbar anaesthetic techniques: a preliminary study in equine cadavers.

Objective: To compare the peribulbar injectate distribution and probability of regional anaesthesia of four peribulbar anaesthetic techniques in equine cadavers.

Study Design: Prospective experimental cadaver study.

Animals: A total of 12 isolated equine cadaver heads and 24 eyes.

Case Report: Ultrasound Sciatic and Saphenous Nerve Blocks for Tibial Malunion Surgical Correction in a Pediatric African Leopard ().

Little information is available regarding ultrasound-guided locoregional anesthesia in non-domestic species. Locoregional techniques have been shown to reduce intraoperative anesthetic requirements and provide postoperative pain relief. Decreasing dosage of general anesthetics allows more stable cardiopulmonary function during anesthesia and reduces the probability of side effects.

Dexmedetomidine and ketamine simultaneous administration in tigers (): pharmacokinetics and clinical effects.

Background: The study determines the pharmacokinetic profiles of dexmedetomidine (DEX), ketamine (KET) and its active metabolite, norketamine (NORKET), after simultaneous administration. Moreover, the study evaluates the sedative effects of this protocol, its influence on the main physiological variables and the occurrence of adverse effects.

Methods: Eighteen captive tigers were initially administered with a mixture of DEX (10 µg/kg) and KET (2 mg/kg) by remote intramuscular injection.

Oral Transmucosal or Intramuscular Administration of Dexmedetomidine-Methadone Combination in Dogs: Sedative and Physiological Effects.

The aim of this study was to compare the sedative and physiological effects following either oral transmucosal (OTM) or intramuscular administration of dexmedetomidine-methadone combination in healthy dogs. Thirty dogs were randomly assigned to receive a dexmedetomidine-methadone combination either by the OTM ( = 15) or intramuscular ( = 15) route. Sedation was scored 10, 20, and 30 min after drugs administration.

A Novel Hybrid Silk Fibroin/Polyurethane Arteriovenous Graft for Hemodialysis: Proof-of-Concept Animal Study in an Ovine Model.

To solve the problem of vascular access failure, a novel semi-degradable hybrid vascular graft, manufactured by electrospinning using silk fibroin and polyurethane (Silkothane), has been previously developed and characterized in vitro. This proof-of-concept animal study aims at evaluating the performances of Silkothane grafts in a sheep model of arteriovenous shunt, in terms of patency and short-term remodeling. Nine Silkothane grafts are implanted between the common carotid artery and the external jugular vein of nine sheep, examined by palpation three times per week, by echo-color Doppler every two weeks, and euthanized at 30, 60, and 90 days (N = 3 per group).

Oral Transmucosal Cannabidiol Oil Formulation as Part of a Multimodal Analgesic Regimen: Effects on Pain Relief and Quality of Life Improvement in Dogs Affected by Spontaneous Osteoarthritis.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of oral transmucosal (OTM) cannabidiol (CBD), in addition to a multimodal pharmacological treatment for chronic osteoarthritis-related pain in dogs. Twenty-one dogs were randomly divided into two groups: in group CBD ( = 9), OTM CBD (2 mg kg every 12 h) was included in the therapeutic protocol (anti-inflammatory drug, gabapentin, amitriptyline), while in group C ( = 12), CBD was not administered. Dogs were evaluated by owners based on the Canine Brief Pain Inventory scoring system before treatment initiation (T0), and one (T1), two (T2), four (T3) and twelve (T4) weeks thereafter.

Haematological, serum biochemical and electrophoretic data on healthy captive Egyptian fruit bats ().

Bats play a key role as reservoir hosts of many emerging viral diseases with zoonotic potential. However, little is known about the laboratory reference intervals (RIs) of bats, especially Egyptian fruit bats (). The aim of this study was to obtain haematological, biochemical and electrophoretic RIs from captive fruit bats.

Ketamine-dexmedetomidine combination and controlled mild hypothermia for the treatment of long-lasting and super-refractory status epilepticus in 3 dogs suffering from idiopathic epilepsy.

Objective: To describe the use of a ketamine-dexmedetomidine combination and mild hypothermia for the treatment of status epilepticus in 3 dogs that did not respond to GABAergic medication.

Case Series Summary: Three dogs, each with a diagnosis of idiopathic epilepsy, were presented to the emergency department in a state of status epilepticus. The dogs were treated unsuccessfully with benzodiazepine as a first-line therapy that was followed by IV propofol anesthesia maintained for at least 12 hours.

Serum Protein Gel Agarose Electrophoresis in Captive Tigers.

Given the endangered status of tigers (), the health of each individual is important and any data on blood chemistry values can provide valuable information alongside the assessment of physical condition. The nature of tigers in the wild makes it is extremely difficult to obtain biological samples from free-living subjects, therefore the values obtained from captive tigers provide very useful data. Serum protein electrophoresis is a useful tool in the diagnosis and monitoring of a number of diseases.