The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and intraoperative complications of performing ovariectomies in African lionesses (Panthera leo) using a wound retractor laparoscopic platform. Six lionesses (n = 6) were included. The surgical procedures were carried out through three portals, with a retractor platform positioned at the umbilical port and cannulas placed 3–4 cm from the cranial and caudal regions to the device at the level of the midline. An ovariectomy was performed with a vessel-sealing device. We evaluated the surgery time and the intraoperative and early postoperative complications. The mean weight was 172.83 kg. The total surgery time was 49.33 min. The installation step took a mean of 10.33 min to complete. The mean ovariectomy time was 20 min. Controlled bleeding was observed at the tip of the uterine horn in two cases due to excessive tissue thickness. The retrieval of dissected ovarian tissue and annexes was easily performed. No other complications were observed. The use of the laparoscopic platform during three-portal surgeries for laparoscopic ovariectomy in adult overweight lionesses is feasible and without intraoperative problems. The retractor meant that there were no entry-related issues due to the 25 mm mini-laparotomy. It also made it simpler to extract thick ovaries and promptly re-establish the pneumoperitoneum.

This study aimed to evaluate the benefits of applying 5 cmH₂O of CPAP using a pediatric helmet during the recovery phase from general anesthesia in brachycephalic dogs. Brachycephalic dogs undergoing various surgical procedures were included in this study, and a total of 64 subjects were randomly assigned to receive either standard oxygen supplementation (NO-CPAP group) or oxygen supplementation combined with CPAP (CPAP group). This study evaluated arterial blood pH, blood gas partial pressures of O₂ and CO₂, arterial blood O₂ saturation, and related parameters during recovery. The dogs were monitored, and helmet tolerance was assessed using predefined criteria. Of the initially assessed 69 dogs, 64 were enrolled: 32 in the CPAP group and 32 in the NO-CPAP group. Fifteen dogs in the NO-CPAP group were excluded based on predetermined criteria. The CPAP group showed significant improvements in PaO₂, PaO₂/FiO₂, P(A-a)O₂, F-Shunt, and respiratory rate compared with the NO-CPAP group (p < 0.001). The incidence of reintubation and helmet intolerance was higher in the NO-CPAP group (18% and 15.6%, respectively) than in the CPAP group (0%). This study highlights the potential benefits of incorporating CPAP, delivered through a pediatric helmet, in the perioperative management of brachycephalic dogs.

The aim of this prospective, randomized clinical trial was to evaluate the use of the pleth variability index (PVi) to guide the rate of intraoperative fluid therapy compared to a traditional fixed-fluid-rate approach in ASA 1–2 dogs undergoing surgery. Twenty-seven dogs met the inclusion criteria and were randomly assigned to the conventional fluid management group (CFM, n = 12) or the PVi-guided group (PVi, n = 15). The CFM group received a fixed rate of 5 mL kg⁻¹ h⁻¹ of crystalloid solution, while in the PVi group the rate was continuously adjusted based on the PVi: PVi < 14% = 3 mL kg⁻¹ h⁻¹; 14% ≤ PVi ≥ 20% = 10 mL kg⁻¹ h⁻¹; and PVi > 20% = 15 mL kg⁻¹ h⁻¹. Hypotension (MAP < 65 mmHg) in the CFM was treated with a maximum of two fluid boluses (5 mL kg⁻¹ in 10 min) and in the case of no response, dobutamine (1–3 mcg kg⁻¹ min⁻¹) was administered. In the PVi group, the treatment of hypotension was similar, except when the PVi > 14%, when dobutamine was started directly. Total fluid volume was significantly lower in the PVI group (0.056 ± 0.027 mL kg⁻¹ min⁻¹) compared to the CFM group (0.132 ± 0.115 mL kg⁻¹ min⁻¹), and the incidence of hypotension was lower (p = 0.023) in the PVi group (0%) compared to the CFM group (41%). The mean arterial pressure (MAP) was significantly higher in the PVi group during surgery. Dobutamine was never administered in either group. Preliminary data suggest that the PVi may be considered as a potential target to guide fluid therapy in dogs; larger studies are needed, especially in cases of cardiovascular instability.

Objectives: The objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of three constant rate infusions (CRIs) of dexmedetomidine (DEX; 1, 2 and 3 µg/kg/h) on cardiovascular, respiratory and analgesic outcomes in cats undergoing elective ovariectomy, aiming to identify an infusion rate that optimally balances analgesic benefits with minimal side effects. Methods: In a randomised, controlled, blinded study, 73 healthy female cats were assigned to one of four groups: DEX1 (1 µg/kg/h), DEX2 (2 µg/kg/h), DEX3 (3 µg/kg/h) or a control group receiving saline solution (CTRL). Anaesthesia was maintained with isoflurane, and physiological variables, including heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), respiratory rate (RR) and end-tidal CO ₂ , were measured at baseline and specific time points during surgery. Intraoperative analgesia was assessed based on rescue analgesia requirements, and recovery quality was evaluated postoperatively. Results: DEX CRI reduced isoflurane requirements only in DEX3 at T30 compared with the other groups at the same time point. Blood pressure was higher in DEX3 at T15 and T30 compared with the other groups at the same times, while no differences were observed for HR across all groups at any time of the study. The percentage of cases that required rescue analgesia was significantly lower in the DEX3 group (33%) compared with the CTRL (80%), DEX1 (80%) and DEX2 (86%) groups, which were similar. Recovery quality was similar across the groups, with fewer signs of agitation and dysphoria in DEX2 and DEX3, though DEX3 showed a slightly prolonged recovery. Conclusions and relevance: This study supports the use of DEX CRI in cats as a valuable and safe option for balanced anaesthesia. Among the doses tested, 3 µg/kg/h provided the most clinically evident intraoperative analgesic and isoflurane-sparing effects with an improved quality of recovery. High blood pressure was observed, which may be considered critical in the clinical setting. Further research is needed to explore rate adjustments for more extensive procedures.

The aim of this prospective, randomized, clinical study was to evaluate the use of the pleth variability index (PVi) to guide the rate of intra-operative fluid therapy as compared with a traditional fixed fluid rate approach in ASA 1-2 dogs undergoing surgery. Twenty-seven dogs meet the inclusion criteria and were randomly assigned to conventional fluid management group (CFM, n = 12) or PVi-guided group (PVi, n = 15). The CFM group received a fixed rate of 5 ml kg-1 h-1 of crystalloid solution, while in the PVi group the rate was continuously adjusted based on PVi: PVi < 14% = 3 ml kg-1 h-1; 14% ≤ PVi ≥ 20% = ml kg-1 h-1; PVi > 20% = 15 ml kg-1 h-1. Hypotension (MAP < 65 mmHg) was managed in CFM with maximum two fluid boluses (5 ml kg-1 in 10 minutes) and in case of no response dobutamine (1-3 mcg kg-1 min-1) was administered. In the PVi group treatment of hypotension was similar except when PVi > 14% when dobutamine was directly initiated. The total fluid amount was significantly lower in PVI group (0.056 ± 0.027 ml kg-1 min-1) vs. CFM group (0.132 ± 0.115 ml kg-1 min-1), and hypotension incidence was lower (p = 0.023) in PVi group (0%) vs. CFM group (41%). Mean arterial pressure (MAP) was significantly higher during surgery in the PVi group. Dobutamine was never administered in both groups. Preliminary data suggest that PVi may be considered a potential target to guide fluid therapy in dogs; larger studies are needed, especially in cases of cardiovascular instability.

Summary: To compare surgical time, incision length, intraoperative bleeding, and post-operative pain in cats undergoing three different ovariectomy techniques: open surgery with pedicle ligation using sutures, open surgery using a bipolar vessel-sealing device, and a two-port laparoscopic approach. A prospective randomized clinical trial was conducted on 27 healthy female cats assigned to three treatment groups ( n = 9 per group). Surgical variables were recorded intraoperatively, and post-operative pain was assessed using a validated feline pain scale at hourly intervals over four hours. The laparoscopic group had the shortest incision length (mean 10.0 mm, SD 0.0) compared to the suture (mean 33.3 mm, SD 5.6) and bipolar device groups (mean 28.7 mm, SD 6.4). Surgical time was significantly shorter in the BVSD (27.0 ± 9.6 min) and LOVE groups (30.2 ± 5.2 min) compared with the Suture group (43.9 ± 14.4 min; one-way ANOVA, p = 0.005; Tukey post-hoc p < 0.05 vs. Suture for both comparisons). Post-operative pain scores at one hour (T1) were lower in the LOVE group (median 4 [IQR 3–5]) than in both open groups (Suture: 9 [IQR 8–9]; BVSD: 7 [IQR 6–8]; Kruskal–Wallis, p = 0.014; Dunn’s post-hoc p < 0.05 vs. BVSD and trend towards lower scores vs. Suture). Only 1 of 9 cats requiring rescue analgesia versus 7 of 9 in each open group. The laparoscopic approach was associated with lower post-operative pain scores and a reduced need for rescue analgesia compared to open ovariectomy techniques, suggesting improved perioperative comfort. Although the laparoscopic group showed a significantly shorter surgical time compared with the suture group, this observation should be interpreted cautiously due to potential operator- and case-dependent variability. Nevertheless, laparoscopic ovariectomy in cats should be considered a promising and welfare-oriented technique that warrants further investigation.