Resident, Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Abstract:
Background: High-volume spay-and-neuter clinics in the United States decrease euthanasia rates and limit further feral population growth. Although Intravascular (IV) fluid therapy is ideal during anesthesia and surgery, it is often impractical in high-volume, low-cost settings. Intraperitoneal (IP) fluid administration is an alternative fluid route in cats. Effects of IP fluid administration on perfusion parameters in late-term pregnancy queens undergoing an ovariohysterectomy (OHE) are unknown. Hypothesis/
Objectives: Intraoperative IP crystalloid fluid administration reduces the occurrence of postoperative hypotension and improves markers of perfusion in the postoperative period in late-term pregnant queens undergoing OHE. Animals: 50 client-owned/feral late-term pregnant queens; 25 IP fluid and 25 control cats included
Methods: Prospective randomized case-control study. IP fluids were administered in volumes equal to 25% of the gravid uterus weight intraoperatively. Perfusion parameters, including blood lactate, doppler blood pressure (DBP), and intra-abdominal pressure (IAP), were recorded preoperatively, intraoperatively, and 10 minutes postoperatively.
Results: No difference was detected between pre, intra, and postoperative perfusion parameters or IAP between IP and control groups (mean DBP (mmHg) 84.48 vs 82.4, 73.83 vs 70.04, and 76.78 vs 71.52, median lactate (mmol/L) 1 vs 1, 0.8 vs 0.8, and 0.8 vs 0.8, and median IAP (mmHg) 9 vs 10, 7.5 vs 7.5, and 6.75 vs 6.5), respectively. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: No significant differences in perfusion parameters were observed, however IP fluid administration may still be a viable option for fluid administration in high-volume surgical settings. Further veterinary studies evaluating the potential benefits of the IP fluid route are warranted.
