Five adult 40- to 50-kg female sheep were surgically fitted with a reentrant cannulae placed in the proximal part of the duodenum just distal to the pylorus. By diversion of abomasal outflow, this model has been shown to produce hypochloremic metabolic alkalosis accompanied by dehydration, hypokalemia, and hyponatremia. Each sheep was subjected to 3 separate, 12-hour IV treatment trials, in each case preceded by a control period of 48 hours, and a diversion period of 36 to 96 hours, during which a hypochloremic (Cl- less than or equal to 60 +/- 2 mEq/L) metabolic alkalosis with hypokalemia and hyponatremia was produced. Treatment 1, consisting of 6 L of isotonic Na gluconate, was designed to replace volume without replenishing the Cl- deficit. Although hydration improved, plasma Cl- decreased further, and the sheep became increasingly weak and depressed. Treatment 2, consisting of 2 L of 1.8% NaCl, was designed to replace the Cl- deficit without replacing total volume. Plasma Na+ and Cl- concentrations returned to normal during the 12 hours of treatment; acid-base balance and plasma K+ concentrations returned to normal within 36 hours of treatment. During treatment 3 (control, no treatment), measured metabolic values changed minimally. We concluded that the IV replacement of Cl- without K+ is effective in the correction of experimentally induced hypochloremic metabolic alkalosis in sheep.

We evaluated the biochemical and hemodynamic response to hypertonic saline solution plus dextran in isoflurane-anesthetized pigs infused IV with Escherichia coli endotoxin (5 micrograms/kg of body weight for 0 to 1 hour + 2 micrograms/kg for 1 to 4 hours). After 120 minutes of endotoxemia, pigs were treated with a bolus (4 ml/kg over 3 minutes) of either normal saline solution (NSS; 0.9% NaCl), or hypertonic saline solution plus dextran (HSSD; 7.5% NaCl + 6% dextran-70). Administration of HSSD significantly (P < 0.05) increased serum osmolality and concentrations of sodium and chloride for approximately 2 hours during endotoxemia. Plasma total protein concentration decreased significantly (P < 0.05) for 2 hours after treatment with HSSD, indicating hemodilution and increased plasma volume. Although HSSD transiently increased cardiac index (CI) for approximately 15 minutes, this effect was not sustained; however, the endotoxin-induced decrease in CI was ameliorated from 120 to 180 minutes. In pigs of the endotoxin + NSS group from 180 to 240 minutes, CI decreased significantly (P < 0.05), compared with baseline and control values. The endotoxin-induced increases in mean pulmonary arterial pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance were not attenuated by HSSD. At 135 minutes, total peripheral vascular resistance was transiently lower (for approx 15 minutes) in pigs treated with HSSD, compared with control pigs. The endotoxin-induced increase in plasma lactate concentration was not attenuated by HSSD, indicating continued peripheral O2 debt. We conclude that, despite sustained increases in serum osmolality and concentrations of sodium and chloride, HSSD has only transiently beneficial cardiopulmonary effects during endotoxemia in pigs.

We characterized the clinicopathologic manifestations of experimentally induced endotoxin-induced mastitis. Responses to hypertonic fluid therapy also were assessed. Eight cows received 1 mg of endotoxin by in infusion in the left forequarter. Four hours after endotoxin administration, cows received 0.9% NaCl, 5 ml/kg of body weight (n = 4) or 7.5% NaCl, 5 ml/kg (n = 4) IV. Endotoxin-infused cows had expanded plasma volume, hyponatremia, transient hyperchloremia and hypophosphatemia, increased serum glucose concentration, and decreased serum activities of liver- and muscle-specific enzymes. Calculated plasma volume increased at 6 hours in cows receiving hypertonic NaCl, and at 12, 24, and 48 hours after endotoxin infusion in both groups. Concurrent observations of decreased serum protein concentration, erythrocyte count, and hematocrit supported observations of increased plasma volume. Relative plasma volume was greater in cows receiving hypertonic NaCl (124.3%) than in cows receiving isotonic NaCl (106.6%) at 6 hours after endotoxin infusion. Cattle receiving hypertonic NaCl had increased voluntary water intake after IV fluid administration. Increased water consumption was not accompanied by increased body weight, indicating probable occurrence of offsetting body water loss. Serum sodium concentration in cows receiving hypertonic NaCl was increased 2 hours after fluid administration, but the magnitude of the change was minimal (< 4 mmol/L) and transient, indicating rapid equilibration with either interstitial or intracellular spaces. Serum sodium concentration was decreased in cows receiving isotonic NaCl at 12, 24, and 48 hours after endotoxin administration, compared with concentration prior to endotoxin administration, indicating selective loss of sodium.

OBJECTIVE To determine the effects of dexmedetomidine, doxapram, and dexmedetomidine plus doxapram on ventilation (e), breath frequency, and tidal volume (Vt) in ball pythons (Python regius) and of doxapram on the thermal antinociceptive efficacy of dexmedetomidine. ANIMALS 14 ball pythons. PROCEDURES Respiratory effects of dexmedetomidine and doxapram were assessed with whole-body, closed-chamber plethysmography, which allowed for estimates of e and Vt. In the first experiment of this study with a complete crossover design, snakes were injected, SC, with saline (0.9% NaCl) solution, dexmedetomidine (0.1 mg/kg), doxapram (10 mg/kg), or dexmedetomidine and doxapram, and breath frequency, e, and Vt were measured before and every 30 minutes thereafter, through 240 minutes. In the second experiment, antinociceptive efficacy of saline solution, dexmedetomidine, and dexmedetomidine plus doxapram was assessed by measuring thermal withdrawal latencies before and 60 minutes after SC injection. RESULTS Dexmedetomidine significantly decreased breath frequency and increased Vt but did not affect e at all time points, compared with baseline. Doxapram significantly increased e, breath frequency, and Vt at 60 minutes after injection, compared with saline solution. The combination of dexmedetomidine and doxapram, compared with dexmedetomidine alone, significantly increased e at 30 and 60 minutes after injection and did not affect breath frequency and Vt at all time points. Thermal withdrawal latencies significantly increased when snakes received dexmedetomidine or dexmedetomidine plus doxapram, versus saline solution. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Concurrent administration of doxapram may mitigate the dexmedetomidine-induced reduction of breathing frequency without disrupting thermal antinociceptive efficacy in ball pythons.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the analgesic efficacy of an IV constant rate infusion (CRI) of a morphine-lidocaine-ketamine (MLK) combination in calves undergoing umbilical herniorrhaphy. ANIMALS: 20 weaned Holstein calves with umbilical hernias. PROCEDURES: Calves were randomly assigned to receive a CRI of an MLK solution (0.11 mL/kg/h; morphine, 4.8 μg/kg/h; lidocaine, 2.1 mg/kg/h; and ketamine, 0.42 mg/kg/h) for 24 hours (MLK group) or 2 doses of flunixin meglumine (1.1 mg/kg, IV, q 24 h) and a CRI of saline (0.9% NaCl) solution (0.11 mL/kg/h) for 24 hours (control group). The assigned CRI was begun after anesthesia induction. A pain-scoring system and incisional algometry were used to assess pain, and blood samples were obtained to measure serum cortisol concentration at predetermined times for 120 hours after CRI initiation. RESULTS: Mean pain scores did not differ significantly between the MLK and control groups at any time. Mean algometry score for the MLK group was significantly greater (calves were less responsive to pressure) than that for the control group at 4 hours after CRI initiation. Mean cortisol concentration decreased over time for both groups and was significantly greater for the MLK group than the control group at 1, 4, and 18 hours after CRI initiation. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: A CRI of MLK provided adequate postoperative analgesia to calves that underwent umbilical herniorrhaphy. However, the technical support required for CRI administration limits its use to hospital settings. Kinetic analyses of MLK infusions in cattle are necessary to establish optimal dosing protocols and withdrawal intervals.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the respiratory and hemodynamic effects of a low-dose dexmedetomidine infusion [1mg/kg body weight (BW) per hour], with or without a loading dose (1 mg/kg BW), in dogs under isoflurane anesthesia. Thirty dogs were premedicated with methadone [0.3 mg/kg BW intramuscular (IM)], induced with propofol intravenous (IV) and maintained with isoflurane (1.3% to 1.4%) under mechanical ventilation. Animals were randomly assigned to 3 intravenous (IV) treatments (n = 10): 1 mg/kg BW dexmedetomidine, followed by 1 mg/kg BW per hour (group BI); or saline solution bolus, followed by either an infusion of 1 mg/kg BW per hour dexmedetomidine (group I) or saline solution (group C). The infusions were interrupted after 30 minutes. Respiratory system static compliance (Cstat) and respiratory system resistance (Rrs), partial pressure of oxygen/fractional inspired oxygen ratio (PaO(2)/FIO(2)), intrapulmonary shunt (Fshunt), and cardiac output (CO) were determined 5 minutes before the bolus (BASELINE), at the end of the bolus (BOLUS), and at 15 (T15), 30 (T3(0)), and 45 minutes (T45) intervals. In group BI, Cstat and PaO(2)/FiO(2) were higher at T15 and T3(0) than at BASELINE in the same group and than group C at the same times. In group I, the same parameters at T30 were higher than at BASELINE and than group C at the same time. In group BI, Rrs and Fshunt were lower than at BASELINE and than group C at the same time. In group I, the same parameters at T30 were lower than at BASELINE and those of group C at the same time. Cardiac output (CO) at T30 was higher in groups BI and I than in group C. The results of this study showed that low-dose dexmedetomidine infusion improves oxygenation and respiratory system mechanics and has a stabilizing hemodynamic effect in dogs anesthetized with isoflurane and mechanically ventilated.

OBJECTIVE To assess effects of catheter diameter and injection rate of flush solution (saline [0.9% NaCl] solution) on renal contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) with perfluorobutane in dogs. ANIMALS 5 healthy Beagles. PROCEDURES CEUS of the kidneys was performed by IV injection of contrast medium (0.0125 mL/kg) followed by injection of 5 mL of saline solution at rates of 1, 3, and 5 mL/s through a 20-gauge or 24-gauge catheter; thus, CEUS was repeated 3 times for each catheter diameter. Time-intensity curves were created for regions of interest drawn in the renal cortex and medulla. Repeatability was determined by calculating the coefficient of variation (CV). Statistical analysis was used to assess whether perfusion variables or CV of the perfusion variables was associated with catheter diameter or injection rate. RESULTS Perfusion variables did not differ significantly between catheter diameters. Time to peak enhancement (TTP) in the renal cortex was affected by injection rate, and there were significantly lower values for TTP at higher injection rates. The CEUS variables with the lowest CVs among injection rates were TTP for the renal cortex; the CV for TTP of the renal cortex was the lowest at an injection rate of 5 mL/s. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Use of a 24-gauge catheter did not alter CEUS with perfluorobutane; therefore, such catheters could be used for CEUS of the kidneys of small dogs. Moreover, a rate of 5 mL/s is recommended for injection of flush solution to obtain greater accuracy for renal CEUS in Beagles.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the cardiovascular effects of atipamezole administered at half the volume or the same volume as dexmedetomidine to isoflurane-anesthetized cats. ANIMALS 6 adult (1 to 2 years old) domestic shorthair cats (body weight, 3 to 6 kg). PROCEDURES Each cat was anesthetized with isoflurane and rocuronium 3 times; there was a 1-week washout period between successive anesthetic procedures. For each anesthetic procedure, dexmedetomidine (5 μg/kg) was administered IV. Five minutes after dexmedetomidine was administered, atipamezole (25 or 50 μg/kg) or saline (0.9% NaCl) solution was administered IM. Pulse rate, mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), cardiac output (CO), and systemic vascular resistance (SVR) were measured during anesthesia before dexmedetomidine administration (baseline), after dexmedetomidine administration, and 15, 30, 60, and 120 minutes after administration of atipamezole or saline solution. Pulse rate and MAP were also recorded when MAP was at its lowest value. Hemodynamic variables were compared among treatments at baseline, after dexmedetomidine administration, and after administration of atipamezole or saline solution. Effects of treatment and time on all variables were assessed with mixed-effects models. RESULTS Both doses of atipamezole resulted in a significantly lower MAP than did saline solution. Pulse rate, CO, and SVR were not significantly different among treatments after atipamezole or saline solution were administered. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Atipamezole administered IM at half the volume or the same volume as dexmedetomidine was ineffective at increasing pulse rate or CO in anesthetized cats that received dexmedetomidine. However, atipamezole caused short-lasting but severe arterial hypotension.