peer reviewed | OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of using ropivacaine combined with dexmedetomidine for sciatic and saphenous nerve blocks in dogs. ANIMALS: 7 healthy adult Beagles. PROCEDURES: In phase 1, dogs received each of the following 3 treatments in random order: perineural sciatic and saphenous nerve injections of 0.5% ropivacaine (0.4 mL/kg) mixed with saline (0.9% NaCl) solution (0.04 mL/kg; DEX0PN), 0.5% ropivacaine mixed with dexmedetomidine (1 μg/kg; DEX1PN), and 0.5% ropivacaine mixed with dexmedetomidine (2 μg/kg; DEX2PN). In phase 2, dogs received perineural sciatic and saphenous nerve injections of 0.5% ropivacaine and an IV injection of diluted dexmedetomidine (1 μg/kg; DEX1IV). For perineural injections, the dose was divided equally between the 2 sites. Duration of sensory blockade was evaluated, and plasma dexmedetomidine concentrations were measured. RESULTS: Duration of sensory blockade was significantly longer with DEX1PN and DEX2PN, compared with DEX0PN; DEX1IV did not prolong duration of sensory blockade, compared with DEX0PN. Peak plasma dexmedetomidine concentrations were reached after 15 minutes with DEX1PN (mean ± SD, 348 ± 200 pg/mL) and after 30 minutes DEX2PN (816 ± 607 pg/mL), and bioavailability was 54 ± 40% and 73 ± 43%, respectively. The highest plasma dexmedetomidine concentration was measured with DEX1IV (1,032 ± 415 pg/mL) 5 minutes after injection. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested that perineural injection of 0.5% ropivacaine in combination with dexmedetomidine (1 μg/kg) for locoregional anesthesia in dogs seemed to balance the benefit of prolonging sensory nerve blockade while minimizing adverse effects.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of using ropivacaine combined with dexmedetomidine for sciatic and saphenous nerve blocks in dogs. ANIMALS 7 healthy adult Beagles. PROCEDURES In phase 1, dogs received each of the following 3 treatments in random order: perineural sciatic and saphenous nerve injections of 0.5% ropivacaine (0.4 mL/kg) mixed with saline (0.9% NaCl) solution (0.04 mL/kg; DEX0PN), 0.5% ropivacaine mixed with dexmedetomidine (1 μg/kg; DEX1PN), and 0.5% ropivacaine mixed with dexmedetomidine (2 μg/kg; DEX2PN). In phase 2, dogs received perineural sciatic and saphenous nerve injections of 0.5% ropivacaine and an IV injection of diluted dexmedetomidine (1 μg/kg; DEX1IV). For perineural injections, the dose was divided equally between the 2 sites. Duration of sensory blockade was evaluated, and plasma dexmedetomidine concentrations were measured. RESULTS Duration of sensory blockade was significantly longer with DEX1PN and DEX2PN, compared with DEX0PN; DEX1IV did not prolong duration of sensory blockade, compared with DEX0PN. Peak plasma dexmedetomidine concentrations were reached after 15 minutes with DEX1PN (mean ± SD, 348 ± 200 pg/mL) and after 30 minutes DEX2PN (816 ± 607 pg/mL), and bioavailability was 54 ± 40% and 73 ± 43%, respectively. The highest plasma dexmedetomidine concentration was measured with DEX1IV (1,032 ± 415 pg/mL) 5 minutes after injection. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggested that perineural injection of 0.5% ropivacaine in combination with dexmedetomidine (1 μg/kg) for locoregional anesthesia in dogs seemed to balance the benefit of prolonging sensory nerve blockade while minimizing adverse effects.

peer reviewed

OBJECTIVE To describe functional and anatomic changes of the lower urogenital tract of healthy male dogs during the sexually immature period and up to 2 years of age by urodynamic and morphometric assessment. ANIMALS 6 sexually intact male Beagle littermates. PROCEDURES Dogs underwent electromyography-coupled urodynamic tests, CT-assisted retrograde urethrography, prostatic washes, and blood sampling monthly from 4 through 12 months of age and then at 3-month intervals. Urodynamic and morphometric variables and serum canine prostate–specific esterase concentrations were analyzed by statistical methods. RESULTS Integrated pressure of the urethra was significantly increased beginning at 8 months of age, compared with earlier time points. Urethral pressure peak amplitudes varied among anatomic regions. During bladder filling, few electromyographic signals were concurrent with urethral pressure peaks; these were most commonly detected in the penile portion of the urethra. Urethral length and prostate gland volume were significantly greater from 7 to 24 months of age than at younger ages. Urethral length was approximately 26 to 27 cm after 9 months, and prostate gland volume was approximately 11 to 12 cm3 after 11 months of age. Serum canine prostate–specific esterase concentrations correlated with prostate gland volume. Urinary bladder threshold volume was significantly increased at 6 months of age, compared with that at 4 months, with a maximum of 197.7 mL at 24 months. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Urethral resistance was acquired at approximately 8 months of age, when growth of the lower urinary tract was incomplete. Electromyographic and integrated pressure measurement results and the distribution and amplitude of urethral pressure peaks highlighted the potential role of the prostate gland and possibly the bulbocavernosus muscles in control of continence.

International audience | OBJECTIVE To compare progesterone (P4) concentrations measured with surface plasmon field-enhanced fluorescence spectroscopy (SPFS) and chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA) in serum and plasma samples of client-owned bitches of various ages and breeds and to determine reference ranges for P4 concentrations at various stages of the estrous cycle. SAMPLES 102 serum samples and 104 plasma samples. PROCEDURES In experiment 1, 1 aliquot each of serum and plasma was analyzed for P4 concentration by use of SPFS incorporated in a veterinary-specific point-of-care immunologic analyzer and CLIA. In experiment 2, serum collected from bitches in various stages of the estrous cycle was analyzed for P4 concentration by use of SPFS to establish reference ranges for each stage. RESULTS In experiment 1, P4 concentrations measured by SPFS and CLIA were highly correlated (serum, r = 0.966; plasma, r = 0.968). In experiment 2, ranges of serum basal (proestrous) P4 concentrations (n = 114) and P4 concentrations at the estimated time of ovulation (76), during pregnancy or diestrus (107), and during the prepartum period (50) measured with SPFS were 0.42 to 1.46 ng/mL, 3.69 to 7.85 ng/mL, 11.73 to 28.24 ng/mL, and 1.54 to 3.22 ng/mL, respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Because serum and plasma P4 concentrations measured with SPFS were highly correlated with those measured with CLIA and ranges of serum P4 concentrations measured with SPFS for each of phase of the estrous cycle were well-defined for the large sample size, veterinarians may be able to accurately use this veterinary-specific point-of-care immunologic analyzer with SPFS methodology to determine P4 concentrations of bitches in their daily practice.

OBJECTIVE To compare progesterone (P4) concentrations measured with surface plasmon field-enhanced fluorescence spectroscopy (SPFS) and chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA) in serum and plasma samples of client-owned bitches of various ages and breeds and to determine reference ranges for P4 concentrations at various stages of the estrous cycle. SAMPLES 102 serum samples and 104 plasma samples. PROCEDURES In experiment 1, 1 aliquot each of serum and plasma was analyzed for P4 concentration by use of SPFS incorporated in a veterinary-specific point-of-care immunologic analyzer and CLIA. In experiment 2, serum collected from bitches in various stages of the estrous cycle was analyzed for P4 concentration by use of SPFS to establish reference ranges for each stage. RESULTS In experiment 1, P4 concentrations measured by SPFS and CLIA were highly correlated (serum, r = 0.966; plasma, r = 0.968). In experiment 2, ranges of serum basal (proestrous) P4 concentrations (n = 114) and P4 concentrations at the estimated time of ovulation (76), during pregnancy or diestrus (107), and during the prepartum period (50) measured with SPFS were 0.42 to 1.46 ng/mL, 3.69 to 7.85 ng/mL, 11.73 to 28.24 ng/mL, and 1.54 to 3.22 ng/mL, respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Because serum and plasma P4 concentrations measured with SPFS were highly correlated with those measured with CLIA and ranges of serum P4 concentrations measured with SPFS for each of phase of the estrous cycle were well-defined for the large sample size, veterinarians may be able to accurately use this veterinary-specific point-of-care immunologic analyzer with SPFS methodology to determine P4 concentrations of bitches in their daily practice.