Handbook of Small Animal Regional Anesthesia and Analgesia Techniques

This is a concise visual guide to the major techniques of regional anesthesia and analgesia for small animal practitioners, with complete coverage of the relevant physics, physiology, and pharmacology.

• Provides straightforward advice and easy-to-implement strategies for general veterinary practitioners without specialist training who want to incorporate regional anesthesia into their practice
• Features an accessible design with plenty of diagrams and photos and a convenient and robust spiral-bound format that lays flat for use during procedures
• Broken into sections which explain techniques by limb or body part and by species
• Details important anatomy (nerves, bones, and vessels), as well as possible side effects and complications

1 Introduction, 1

Reasons to provide regional anesthesia, 2

History of regional anesthesia/analgesia, 3

Principles of the major techniques, 3

Local anesthetic drugs, 4

Additives to local anesthetics, 6

Equipment, 7

Syringes, 7

Needles, 7

Epidural catheter kits, 8

Nerve locators, 8

Differential pressure transducer, 9

Acoustic device, 9

Complications and contraindications, 9

Local, 10

Systemic, 10

Species differences and considerations, 10

Safe practice, 11

Gaining confidence, 11

Making a plan, 11

References, 11

Further reading, 12

2 Cutaneous Innervation Index, 13

Cutaneous innervation index, 14

Canine dermatomes

Body, 14

Head, 15

Thoracic limb, 16

Pelvic limb, 18

3 Infiltration Blocks, 21

Infiltration for mass removal, 22

Line and ring blocks, 22

Inverted “L” block, 24

Block of the surgical incision, 26

Single injection of the surgical incision , 26

Diffusion catheter/“soaker” catheter/“pain buster”, 28

Intercostal blocks, 30

Interpleural block (also known as intrapleural or pleural), 32

Intraperitoneal block, 34

References, 35

4 Blocks of the Head, 37

Retrobulbar, 38

Maxillary, 40

Infraorbital, 42

Mandibular (or inferior alveolar), 44

Mental (or middle mental), 46

Auriculotemporal and great auricular, 48

References, 52

5 Regional Anesthetic Blocks of the Limbs, 53

Thoracic limb regional anesthetic blocks, 54

Brachial plexus, 56

Paravertebral: C6–T1, 58

RUMM (radial/ulnar/median/musculocutaneous), 60

Bier block (intravenous regional anesthesia), 62

Pelvic limb, 64

Femoral/saphenous nerve block, 66

Sciatic nerve block, 70

References, 74

6 Epidurals and Spinals, 75

Lumbosacral epidural and spinal in dogs, 76

Lumbosacral epidural in cats, 78

Caudal epidural in dogs and cats, 80

References, 82

7 Emergency Procedures, 83

Complications associated with local anesthetic techniques, 84

Bleeding, 84

Nerve trauma, 84

Complications associated with local anesthetic drugs, 84

Allergic reactions to local anesthetic drugs, 84

Methemoglobinemia, 85

Systemic toxicity of local anesthetics, 85

Cardiovascular toxicity, 85

References, 88

Further reading, 88

Index, 89

"Overall, this book is an excellent addition to the literature and will be appreciated by anyone interested in local and regional anesthesia." (Journal of Veterinary Medical Association 15 June 2016)

"Practicing small animal vets and reference collections catering to them will find Handbook of Small Animal Regional Anesthesia and Analgesia Techniques an excellent, at-a-glance synthesis of technical information." (Donovan's Literary Services 2016)

Phillip Lerche, BVSc, PhD, CertVA, DipACVAA, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences at The Ohio State University, USA.

Turi Aarnes, DVM, MS, DipACVAA, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences at The Ohio State University, USA.

Gwen Covey-Crump, BVetMed, CertVA, DipECVAA, MRCVS, is a Clinical Teacher at Langford Veterinary Services, University of Bristol, UK. She is European and RCVS Specialist in Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia.

Fernando Martinez Taboada, LV, CertVA, DipECVAA, MRCVS, is European and RCVS Specialist in Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia. He currently works at the University of Sydney, Australia, as Specialist in Small Animal Anaesthesia.

Handbook of Small Animal Regional Anesthesia and Analgesia Techniques is a concise visual guide to the major techniques of regional anesthesia and analgesia for small animal practitioners. The authors provide straightforward advice and easy-to-implement strategies for those who want to incorporate regional anesthesia into their practice.

The handbook features an accessible design with plenty of diagrams and photos and a convenient spiral-bound format that lays flat for use during procedures. In clear language, it introduces the relevant physics, physiology, and pharmacology for a variety of techniques, as well as possible side effects and complications.

These techniques have been shown to be an important part of managing peri-operative pain.

Comprehensive yet accessible, this guide equips small animal veterinarians with the knowledge and skills to implement basic regional anesthesia procedures successfully in order to improve patient care.