Hypobaric intrathecal anaesthesia for partial hemipelvectomy in a dog

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Anesthesiology
• Surgical Pain Management
• Canine Orthopedic Surgery

Background:

• Partial hemipelvectomy is a major orthopedic surgery requiring effective anesthesia and analgesia.
• Intrathecal anesthesia offers targeted pain relief but requires careful solution formulation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of intrathecal hypobaric anesthesia with bupivacaine and morphine for partial hemipelvectomy in a dog.
• To assess the safety, anesthetic stability, and recovery profile of this technique.

Main Methods:

• A hypobaric solution of bupivacaine and morphine was administered intrathecally (L5-6) in a 34 kg Golden Retriever.
• The dog underwent a partial hemipelvectomy under general inhalational anesthesia with targeted intrathecal drug delivery.
• Positional changes were employed post-injection to influence drug spread.

Main Results:

• Spinal anesthesia ensured cardiovascular stability and excellent surgical site relaxation.
• No motor blockade or proprioceptive deficits were observed in the contralateral limb upon recovery.
• Postoperative analgesia was effective, with no need for rescue medication within 48 hours.

Conclusions:

• Intrathecal hypobaric bupivacaine and morphine can be a valuable component of balanced anesthesia for major canine orthopedic procedures.
• This technique allows for reduced drug dosage, selective spinal anesthesia, prolonged analgesia, and swift ambulation recovery.