The use of a catheter to provide brachial plexus block in dogs

The objective of the study was to devise a method to facilitate catheter placement to perform brachial plexus block in the dog. Lidocaine plus epinephrine was injected through a 3.5 French feeding tube secured in proximity of the brachial plexus. Cutaneous areas for the nerves of the distal forelimb were tested for nociceptive sensation by pinching the skin with hemostats. Five out of the 7 dogs developed a full motor and sensory block. The onset time for a full block and duration of blockade were 54 min, s = 17.1 and 39 min, s = 37.6, respectively. A second blockade was successfully achieved in 2 dogs in which the catheter was not displaced. An indwelling feeding tube is an effective way to provide blockade of the brachial plexus in the dog. The placement and the fixation of the catheter were critical for the production of a full block.