W.E.  Mwangi, P.  Kimeli, E.G.  Mogoa, J.W.  Aleri, G.  Kirui, 
    Medetomidine-Tiletamine-Zolazepam Anaesthesia with Brachial Plexus Blockade: 
  An Alternative Protocol for Canine Forelimb Surgeries,
    Research Journal of Animal Sciences,
    Volume 8,Issue 1,
    2014,
    Pages 9-11,
    ISSN 1993-5269,
    rjnasci.2014.9.11,
    (https://makhillpublications.co/view-article.php?doi=rjnasci.2014.9.11)
    Abstract: The use of medetomidine-tiletamine-zolazepam anaesthesia with brachial plexus blockade is reported as an alternative anaesthetic technique for repair of radius and ulna fractures in dogs. A 3 years old male Japanese spitz was presented with a history of leg carrying lameness following a car accident 2 weeks earlier. Clinical examination revealed non-weight bearing lameness of the right forelimb and normal physiological parameters. Radiography confirmed a complete oblique fracture of the proximal right radio-ulna bones which required open reduction and internal fixation. Two anaesthetic protocols were attempted but resulted into severe apnea and bradycardia. The first regime involved the use of xylazine-thiopentone-isoflurane while the second one was xylazine-ketamine combination. An alternative anaesthesia protocol involving medetomidine-tiletamine-zolazepam combination with brachial plexus block using lidocaine was employed with great success. Analgesia of the desensitized limb extended 7 h post-operatively. Temperature and cardio-pulmonary parameters remained stable intra-operatively as indicted by an average temperature of 37.2&deg;C, heart rate of 68 beats min<SUP>-1</SUP> and respiratory rate of 18 breaths min<SUP>-1</SUP>. This study reports successful use of medetomidine-tiletamine-zolazepam anaesthesia with lignocaine brachial plexus blockade in orthopedic procedures involving the forelimbs in dogs.
    Keywords: Anaesthesia regime;apnea;bradycardia;hyperalgesia;forelimb fracture