Short-Term Effects of Duodenocecostomy on Body Weight, Glucose Absorption, Serum Components, and Intestinal Histopathology in Four Normal Horses

The objective of this study was to evaluate duodenocecostomy in horses performed through a ventral midline laparotomy and report its influence oil body weight, glucose absorption, serum components, and characteristics of jejunum, cecum, and large colon histology. Four horses were submitted to the duodenocecostomy technique through a ventral midline laparotomy with animals in dorsal recumbency under inhalation anesthesia, followed by abdominal exploration. A side-to-side anastomosis was performed between the duodenojejunal flexure and the base of the cecum with two simple continuous suture lines of the serosal and muscular layers. The size of the opening created was approximately 2 cm in diameter. The mucosa layer was not Sutured. After 30 days, animals were submitted to a second laparotomy to check the patency of the duodenocaecal fistula. During both laparotomy procedures, excisional biopsies of different segments of the gastrointestinal tract were performed. Information on physical examination findings, results of hematologic and histopathologic evaluations, and oral glucose absorption test were recorded. The horses did not have significant weight loss from baseline, and absorption curve of glucose did not significantly vary from baseline. Only triglycerides had significant alterations. Histologic evaluation of jejunum, cecum, and large colon did not show alterations of intestinal structure and morphology. We concluded that the proposed technique, principally in relation to the fistula size and not suturing the mucosa layer, allowed partial or total Occlusion of the fistulae without the necessity of a second surgery and avoided the permanent bypass of ingesta and weight loss.

Comparison of ketamine and S(+)-ketamine, with romifidine and diazepam, for total intravenous anesthesia in horses

Objective To compare the quality of induction and recovery, degree of muscle relaxation, clinically apparent potency and cardiopulmonary effects of racemic ketamine or S(+)-ketamine when used for total intravenous anesthesia in horses. Study design Prospective randomized clinical trial Animals Sixteen healthy stallions (323 +/- 99 kg), with a mean age of 6.2 years, undergoing castration. Methods Horses were pre-medicated with romifidine IV, 15 minutes before induction of anesthesia. Each animal was then randomly allocated to receive either diazepam and ketamine (DK) or diazepam and S(+)-ketamine (DKS) at similar doses to induce anesthesia. For maintenance of anesthesia, 1/4 of the initial bolus of ketamine alone or S(+)-ketamine alone was administered, as required. Heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR) and systolic blood pressure were measured before and at 10-minute intervals during recumbency. Time from induction to lateral recumbency, time from induction to first additional dose, time from last additional dose to return to sternal posture and time from last additional dose to standing were recorded, and a subjective evaluation of quality of induction, endotracheal intubation, muscle relaxation and quality of recovery was recorded. Results The quality of the induction and duration of anesthesia were similar in both groups. HR, RR and systolic blood pressure were not significantly different between groups. Although some animals which received DKS showed some minor excitatory effects (25% of them) during the induction of anesthesia, these animals received 32% fewer doses for the maintenance of anesthesia and the recovery scores were better. Conclusions and clinical relevance S(+)-ketamine showed some advantages over racemic ketamine, such as less anesthetic agent being required and better overall recovery from anesthesia. Further studies are needed to obtain the optimum induction dose for the S(+)-ketamine.