Tierärztliche Hochschule Hannover Vergleichende Studie zur

Summary
applied to monitor intraoperative nociception. Additionally, with the help of an aortic
catheter and a Swan-Ganz catheter, cardiopulmonary variables and arterial blood
gases were continuously monitored.
Compared to inhalation- and injection anaesthesia, the high volume caudal epidural
anaesthesia resulted in an intraopertively reduced stress response as determined by
cortisol and catecholamine concentrations. The highest VAS-scores were recorded
for Group INJ, followed by Group EPI and Group INH. During the course of the
operation, partial pressure of oxygen (PaO 2 ) in Group INJ was significantly
decreased. Calves of Groups INH and INJ developed hypertonia and respiratory
acidosis, as well as an increased systemic vascular resistance.
The results of the study indicate that the high volume caudal epidural anaesthesia,
consisting of xylazine and procaine, combined with a periumbilical infiltration of local
anaesthetic and a preoperative NSAID-application provides a practical, inexpensive
and safe anaesthetic protocol for calves undergoing umbilical surgery. Compared to
inhalation and injection anaesthesia, a reduced endocrine stress response was
observed and cardiopulmonary variables were scaresly affected.
The current method of direct aortic puncture on the standing, unsedated animal was
improved by adding ultrasonographical control. Within 24 hours of puncture, no
clinical signs of anaemia or inflammation were observed in 29 punctured animals.
Furthermore, in the following four days, neither local inflammation, nor significant
increases in leucocyte levels were recorded. Nevertheless, the puncture resultet in
highly significant decreases in levels of red blood cells, haemoglobin, packed cell
volume and total protein, albeit all post-catheterization levels stay within reference
ranges established for calves of the same age. In summary, the implementation of
ultrasonographic guidance in this method resulted in improving this technique
regarding safety, efficiency and reliablility.
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