Locoregional anaesthesia is vital in modern equine veterinary practice. It effectively manages acute pain and may reduce the anaesthetic requirements and adverse effects associated with general anaesthesia. This review summarises the currently described local anaesthetic techniques used in horses, with emphasis on epidural approaches, peripheral nerve blocks, and fascial plane techniques. The relevant literature was identified through searches of PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases. The review discusses the pharmacological properties of commonly used local anaesthetics, differences between short- and long-acting agents, and the potential role of adjuvants in prolonging analgesia. In addition, the available evidence regarding ultrasound-guided and nerve stimulator-guided techniques is presented, including their applications in thoracic, abdominal, and reproductive procedures. Attention is given to recently described fascial plane blocks and to the growing use of ultrasound guidance for improving anatomical identification and needle placement. The available evidence suggests that locoregional anaesthesia can contribute to multimodal analgesia in horses while potentially reducing perioperative systemic analgesic requirements. However, the clinical evidence supporting several techniques remains limited, and further controlled studies are required to evaluate their efficacy, safety, and reproducibility under clinical conditions.

The objective of the present study is to review the anatomical considerations, surgical techniques, clinical applications, and outcomes of myocutaneous and muscle flaps used in the reconstruction of limb defects in dogs and cats. Limb wounds in small animals often result from trauma, neoplasia, or infection and can involve significant soft tissue loss. Reconstruction of these defects is challenging due to limited local skin availability, particularly in distal regions, and the need to preserve function while preventing complications. Muscle and myocutaneous flaps provide well-vascularized tissue suitable for covering complex wounds, especially those with exposed bone, joints, or tendons. This review synthesizes current literature on commonly used flaps—including latissimus dorsi, cutaneous trunci, trapezius, sartorius, semitendinosus, and flexor carpi ulnaris; focusing on their anatomical basis, vascular supply, arc of rotation, surgical technique, indications, and complication rates. Comparative data between dogs and cats are highlighted, and experimental as well as clinical applications are discussed. Myocutaneous flaps offer durable and reliable coverage with lower infection and necrosis rates compared to skin grafts, particularly in contaminated or poorly vascularized wounds. Common complications include distal flap necrosis, wound dehiscence, seroma, and, occasionally, functional deficits. Muscle and myocutaneous flaps remain essential tools in limb reconstruction. Successful outcomes require careful flap planning, surgical expertise, and vigilant postoperative care. Further prospective studies are needed to optimize flap selection and reduce complication rates in both species.

The objective of the present study is to review the anatomical considerations, surgical techniques, clinical applications, and outcomes of myocutaneous and muscle flaps used in the reconstruction of limb defects in dogs and cats. Limb wounds in small animals often result from trauma, neoplasia, or infection and can involve significant soft tissue loss. Reconstruction of these defects is challenging due to limited local skin availability, particularly in distal regions, and the need to preserve function while preventing complications. Muscle and myocutaneous flaps provide well-vascularized tissue suitable for covering complex wounds, especially those with exposed bone, joints, or tendons. This review synthesizes current literature on commonly used flaps—including latissi-mus dorsi, cutaneous trunci, trapezius, sartorius, semitendinosus, and flexor carpi ul-naris; focusing on their anatomical basis, vascular supply, arc of rotation, surgical technique, indications, and complication rates. Comparative data between dogs and cats are highlighted, and experimental as well as clinical applications are discussed. Myocutaneous flaps offer durable and reliable coverage with lower infection and ne-crosis rates compared to skin grafts, particularly in contaminated or poorly vascular-ized wounds. Common complications include distal flap necrosis, wound dehiscence, seroma, and, occasionally, functional deficits. Muscle and myocutaneous flaps remain essential tools in limb reconstruction. Suc-cessful outcomes require careful flap planning, surgical expertise, and vigilant postop-erative care. Further prospective studies are needed to optimize flap selection and re-duce complication rates in both species.

This case series describes the management of two critically ill animals with pneumothorax of different etiologies. The first case involves a five year old male mixed breed dog that sustained multiple thoracic bites. The dog was presented with severe respiratory distress, subcutaneous edema, pale mucous membranes, tachycardia and crackling respiratory sounds. Thoracic radiographs revealed pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, atelectasis and flail chest due to rib fractures. Initial stabilization included oxygen therapy, thoracocenteses, intravenous fluids, analgesics and antibiotics. Due to persistent air accumulation, autologous blood patch pleurodesis (ABPP) was performed, resulting in initial clinical improvement. However, respiratory deterioration necessitated the placement of a thoracostomy tube with continuous suction. Forty-eight hours later pneumothorax was dissolved, and the dog was discharged. Two years post discharge, the dog remains asymptomatic. The second case involves a 10 month old female cat with chronic respiratory distress due to trauma. Clinical examination revealed abdominal breathing, paradoxical movement and dysmporphy of the thoracic wall. Radiographs were indicative of diaphragmatic hernia. Surgical repair via midline laparotomy was performed, and thoracocentesis was conducted to manage the pneumothorax. However, due to severe postoperative dyspnea and persisted air accumulation in the thorax, repeated thoracocenteses, thoracostomy tube placement and ultimately autologous blood patch were deemed necessary. Suspicion of a ruptured pulmonary bulla led to an exploratory thoracotomy, during which a pulmonary defect was identified and resected. Unfortunately, the cat succumbed due to presumed prolonged hypoxia during surgery. These cases highlight the complexity of managing pneumothorax in small animals. The series underscores the need for a combination of classic pneumothorax management techniques with more recently described options, such as autologous blood pleurodesis. It also emphasizes the importance of advanced diagnostic imaging in managing such patients and the variable prognoses as well.

Congenital external auditory canal atresia (EACA) is a rare developmental anomaly in dogs with limited information to guide management. This report describes the clinical presentation, diagnostic work-up, surgical technique, and long-term outcome in two young dogs with unilateral congenital EACA. An 8-month-old Caucasian Shepherd and a 9-month-old Maltese presented with left-sided otalgia and absence of the external canal opening. Computed tomography identified segmental atresia of the vertical canal with intraluminal soft-tissue attenuating material and mild otitis externa and media in both dogs. Cytology and culture of canal contents were unremarkable, supporting a congenital, non-infectious origin. Both dogs underwent a canal-preserving vertical canal-to-external acoustic meatus anastomosis using a pull-through approach. Minor postoperative complications (partial wound dehiscence, mild canal stenosis) were successfully managed. At the 5-year and 1.5-year follow-up, respectively, both dogs remained free of clinical signs, with preserved hearing, supporting this procedure as a functional, cosmetically acceptable option in carefully selected dogs.

Phimosis is rarely reported in cats and involves the inability to exteriorize the penis through an absent or abnormally narrowed preputial orifice. This case report describes the clinical presentation, surgical management, and outcome of two male domestic shorthair kittens with suspected congenital type II phimosis. Both cats presented with recurrent stranguria and dysuria, preputial swelling, urine pooling or dribbling, a markedly stenotic preputial orifice, and penile–preputial adhesions. In Case 1, cystic struvite urolithiasis was also identified; treatment included cystotomy and ventrally performed modified preputial urethrostomy because of extensive adhesions, penile hypoplasia, and limited penile mobility. In Case 2, adhesions were limited to the distal penis and were released, allowing circumferential preputioplasty. No postoperative complications occurred. Clinical signs resolved, and normal urination was recorded during available follow-up, which was 12 months in Case 1 and 2 months in Case 2. The congenital origin was suspected based on early onset of clinical signs but could not be definitively confirmed. These cases suggest that selected feline type II phimosis cases can be managed successfully by tailoring surgery to anatomical abnormalities, using ventral-modified preputial urethrostomy when adhesions and penile hypoplasia restrict mobilization, or circumferential preputioplasty when adhesions are limited distally.