Cattle Physiological Response to IVRA: A Clinical Analysis
Table of Contents
Introduction
When administering anesthesia, a successful outcome is measured not just by the absence of pain, but also by the stability of the patient’s vital signs. Understanding how an anesthetic technique affects an animal’s body is fundamental to ensuring its safety.
Intravenous Regional Anesthesia (IVRA) is valued for its targeted effects, but how does it impact the cardiovascular and respiratory systems? This article examines the clinical data on the cattle physiological response to IVRA, presenting key findings on heart rate, respiration, and oxygen saturation to give veterinarians a clearer picture of what to expect during the procedure.
An Original Excerpt on Cattle Physiological Response to IVRA
(The following is an excerpt adapted from a thesis for clarity and online readability. The full citation is provided below.)
Analyzing the Cattle Physiological Response to IVRA
To assess the safety and impact of the different IVRA protocols, key vital signs were monitored throughout the surgical procedures. The results provide a detailed window into the cattle physiological response to IVRA.
Heart Rate Changes During Anesthesia
Heart rate is a primary indicator of cardiovascular stress and drug effects. In group I (lignocaine alone), the heart rate increased significantly (P < 0.05) between 15 and 40 minutes, with a maximum at 20 minutes (80.33±0.80). Thereafter, the heart rate was more or less similar to the base value. Heart rate significantly (P < 0.05) decreased in group II (lignocaine + ketamine) at the 10-minute interval. There was no significant (P > 0.05) change in heart rate in group III and IV at any time interval.
After removal of the tourniquet, heart rate was significantly (P < 0.05) decreased in group I animals. However, it was increased significantly (P < 0.05) in group II animals. No significant (P > 0.05) change in heart rate was observed in group III and IV animals.
Discussion: The increase in heart rate in group I animals might be due to tourniquet pain. Acute pain increases heart rate. The significant increase in heart rate in group II after tourniquet removal may be attributed to the high dose rate of ketamine (3.0 mg/kg) used. Ketamine is expected to cause tachycardia in high doses. However, these changes were within the normal range and did not require intervention, demonstrating a manageable cattle physiological response to IVRA.
Respiration Rate and IVRA Effects
Mean ± SE values of respiration rate at different intervals in various groups are shown in table 4. There was no significant change in respiration rate in any of the four groups during the procedure. After removal of the tourniquet, respiration rate was significantly decreased in group I animals. However, no significant change in respiration rate was observed in group II, III, and IV animals.
Discussion: The IVRA tourniquet was removed just after recovery from motor block, and the animals were returned from lateral recumbency to standing. The significant decrease in respiration rate over time after removal of the tourniquet in group I animals was a notable finding, while the other groups remained stable. Overall, the cattle physiological response to IVRA in terms of respiration was minimal and stable.
Peripheral Oxygen Saturation (SPO2) Monitoring
Peripheral oxygen saturation (SPO2) is a critical measure of respiratory efficiency. Oxygen saturation significantly (P < 0.05) decreased at the 15-minute interval (75.33±0.47) in group I. Thereafter, the value continuously increased significantly (P < 0.05) up to 60 minutes (89.66±0.80). In group II, oxygen saturation slightly increased at the 5-minute interval. Thereafter, the value decreased significantly (P < 0.05) up to 60 minutes.
However, the value was at a minimum at the 30-minute interval (78.00±1.26). In group III, oxygen saturation was significantly (P < 0.05) low after IVRA. In group IV, oxygen saturation was significantly low (P < 0.05) between the 15 and 40-minute intervals.
Discussion: The initial decrease in oxygen saturation may be due to lateral recumbency, which impairs respiration in cows, leading to a moderate increase in arterial pCO2 and a decrease in pO2. The subsequent recovery of SPO2 values towards the baseline indicates that the animals adapted and maintained adequate oxygenation. This aspect of the cattle physiological response to IVRA highlights the importance of positioning and monitoring during surgery.
Conclusion
This clinical analysis reveals that the cattle physiological response to IVRA is generally stable and predictable. While minor, transient changes in heart rate and oxygen saturation were observed—particularly with the addition of ketamine and the influence of patient positioning—no severe or life-threatening adverse reactions occurred.
The respiratory rate remained remarkably stable across all groups. These findings underscore the safety of IVRA as an anesthetic technique in cattle, confirming that with proper monitoring, veterinarians can confidently manage the physiological effects to ensure a safe and successful surgical outcome.
Source Citation:
- Researcher: Dr. Vipin Kumar Yadav
- Thesis Title: Comparative Studies on Upper versus Lower Intravenous Regional Anesthesia (IVRA) Using Lignocaine and Its Combination with Ketamine in Bovines
- Guide: Dr. A. K. Gangwar
- University: Narendra Dev University of Agriculture and Technology, Kumarganj, Faizabad (U.P.)-India
- Completion Date: 2018
- Excerpted From: Pages 42, 46, 63-64, 66
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Disclaimer:
Disclaimer: Some sentences have been lightly edited for SEO and readability. For the complete and original research, please refer to the full thesis PDF above.
How do you manage and interpret vital sign changes during large animal anesthesia? Share your clinical pearls or ask a question in the comments below. Be sure to share this post with colleagues and students interested in the finer points of veterinary anesthesiology.
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