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Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of IV ephedrine on heart rate (HR) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) in anesthetized hypotensive dogs and cats and whether the presence or absence of preemptive atropine could influence these effects. Methods: This single-center retrospective study collected the data of dogs and cats that received an initial single IV bolus of ephedrine during anesthesia. The cases were analyzed based on the species, presence or absence of preanesthetic atropine administration, and dose of ephedrine. Mean arterial pressure and HR before and after ephedrine administration; response rate to ephedrine (RRE), defined as the probability of MAP > 70 mm Hg after IV ephedrine administration, with/without atropine; and factors contributing to RRE were analyzed. Results: A total of 1,679 dogs and cats were analyzed. In dogs, IV ephedrine decreased the HR, but preanesthetic atropine prevented this decrease and increased the RRE. In cats, IV ephedrine did not decrease the HR and the RRE did not change significantly, regardless of preanesthetic atropine administration. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the significant factors contributing to RRE were MAP before ephedrine administration and atropine premedication in dogs and MAP before ephedrine administration in cats. Conclusions: In anesthetized dogs, preemptive atropine enhanced the blood pressure–increasing effect of ephedrine by preventing decreases in HR. In anesthetized cats, IV ephedrine with/without atropine increased MAP without decrease in HR. Clinical Relevance: When IV ephedrine is used for treating hypotension during anesthesia, preemptive atropine is recommended in dogs but has less clinical significance in cats.

Objective: To evaluate arterial blood gas analysis (ABGA) findings in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD), and to examine their association with echocardiographic and thoracic radiographic findings. Methods: In this single-center retrospective study (April 2022 to March 2024), thoracic radiography, echocardiography, ABGA, and blood pressure measurement were compared among 3 groups: the control group (without cardiac disease or with stage B1), stage B2, and stage C. In the stage B2 or C group, severity of MMVD was classified on the basis of the left atrium-to-aortic root ratio (LA:Ao; ≤ 2.0 vs > 2.0) and E-wave peak velocity (E max; ≤ 1.3 vs > 1.3 m/s). The ABGA was compared. Results: Among the enrolled dogs, 22 (90 examinations) were assigned to the stage B2 and C groups and 14 (14 examinations) to the control group. None of the dogs were diagnosed with pulmonary edema. Tracheal collapse and bronchomalacia were observed in many dogs, regardless of the group. Compared with the control group (79 mm Hg; minimum to maximum, 61 to 95 mm Hg), Pa o ₂ was significantly decreased in the stage B2 group (68 mm Hg; 39 to 100 mm Hg) and stage C group (63 mm Hg; 41 to 100 mm Hg). Dogs with E max > 1.3 m/s and LA:Ao > 2.0 (Pa o ₂ , 57 mm Hg; 39 to 84 mm Hg) had lower Pa o ₂ than those with E max < 1.3 m/s and LA:Ao < 2.0 (Pa o ₂ , 67 mm Hg; 51 to 100 mm Hg). Conclusions: Our findings revealed that dogs with stage B2 or C MMVD and concurrent respiratory disease exhibited hypoxemia. Clinical Relevance: ABGA is suitable for detecting hypoxemia that cannot be assessed by thoracic radiography; combined with echocardiography, it may contribute to the assessment of MMVD severity.

To describe the perioperative and long-term outcomes of dogs with massive hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the right hepatic division causing compression or involvement of the caudal vena cava (CVC) treated with right divisional hepatectomy using temporary caval occlusion (TCO). Retrospective case series. Nineteen client-owned dogs. Medical records were reviewed. Data collected included signalment, preoperative imaging findings, operative details, adjunct procedures, transfusion requirements, histopathological diagnosis and surgical margin status, perioperative complications, and survival to discharge. Long-term outcome information was obtained from recheck examinations when available and from telephone interviews with referring veterinarians and/or owners. Right divisional hepatectomy with TCO was completed in all dogs; a Pringle maneuver was used in two of 19 dogs. Median TCO duration was 17.6 min (range, 7.0-25.7) and median operative time was 82 min (range, 69-127). Primary suture repair of the CVC was required in six of 19 dogs. R0 resection was achieved in 14 of 19 dogs. One dog died on postoperative day 2; 18/19 dogs were discharged. Of these dogs, seven were alive without reported recurrence or intrahepatic metastasis at the last follow up, 95-1355 days after surgery, whereas 11 had died at a median of postoperative day 729 (range, 204-1154). Postoperative intrahepatic metastasis was suspected in two dogs. Temporary caval occlusion-assisted right divisional hepatectomy provided venous control in selected dogs with massive right-sided HCC and compression or involvement of the CVC, with no intraoperative mortality, one in-hospital death, and postoperative complications in six of the 18 discharged dogs. Temporary caval occlusion facilitates controlled dissection of the right hepatic veins and repair of small caval defects when present.