UNASSIGNED: Refractory status epilepticus (RSE) is defined as seizure activity that is minimally responsive to first- or second-line antiseizure medications. Constant rate infusion (CRI) intravenous propofol (PPF) is commonly used to treat RSE in dogs and cats. The antiseizure activity of alfaxalone (ALF) in RSE has been demonstrated in various experimental studies. This study compared the clinical efficacy and safety of intramuscular administration followed by CRI infusion of ALF with intravenous administration followed by CRI infusion of PPF to treat canine RSE.
UNASSIGNED: This was a multicenter, prospective, randomized clinical trial of client-owned dogs referred for status epilepticus that did not respond to first- and second-line drugs. Animals with suspected or confirmed idiopathic or structural epilepsy were included. The dogs were randomly assigned to either the PPF or ALF treatment groups and each group received drug CRI infusions for 6 h. Drug dosages were progressively reduced by 25% every hour from the third hour until suspension after 6 h. Patients were classified as responders or non-responders based on the relapse of epileptic seizures during the 24 h therapy infusion or within 24 h of drug suspension. Univariate statistical analyses were performed.
UNASSIGNED: Twenty dogs were enrolled in the study. Ten (10/20) dogs were randomly allocated to the PPF group and 10 (10/20) to the ALF group. Successful outcomes were obtained in six (6/10) patients in the PPF group and five (5/10) patients in the ALF group. Adverse effects were recorded in six (6/10) and three (3/10) animals in the PPF and ALF groups, respectively. No statistically significant differences in outcomes or the presence of adverse effects were observed between the groups.
UNASSIGNED: The results of this preliminary study suggest that ALF can be considered a valid and safe alternative to PPF for the treatment of RSE in dogs, with the additional advantage of intramuscular administration. However, caution should be exercised when using these drugs to provide airway and hemodynamic support.

To describe the cardiovascular changes following intramuscular (handled) and intravascular (undisturbed, via intraarterial catheter) alfaxalone administration, we studied 20 healthy ball pythons (Python regius) in a randomised, prospective study. The pythons were instrumented with occlusive arterial catheters to facilitate undisturbed, continuous monitoring of heart rate and blood pressure. Six pythons were administered intramuscular (IM) saline, followed by 20 mg/kg IM alfaxalone, and were manually restrained for both injections. Six pythons received intraarterial (IA) saline, followed by 10 mg/kg IA alfaxalone, and remained undisturbed for both injections. Arterial blood samples were taken at 0, 12 and 60 min post-injection, and heart rate and blood pressure were recorded for 60 min. The remaining eight snakes received 20 mg/kg IM or 10 mg/kg IA alfaxalone (n = 4 per treatment) and were not handled for intubation 10 min post-injection, to examine the effects of handling during anaesthesia. IM administration of 20 mg/kg alfaxalone or an equivalent volume of saline elicited a profound tachycardia and hypertension, which recovered to resting values after 20 min. However, when 10 mg/kg alfaxalone or saline were injected IA, mild hypotension and a lower magnitude tachycardia occurred. Arterial PCO2 and PO2, pH and lactate concentrations did not change following IA alfaxalone, but an acidosis was observed during IM alfaxalone anaesthesia. There were no significant changes in plasma catecholamines and corticosterone among treatments. Handling for injection and during anaesthesia associated with intubation significantly affects cardiovascular parameters, whereas alfaxalone per se only elicits minor changes in cardiovascular physiology.

UNASSIGNED: This study aimed to determine the effects of intramuscular (IM) administration of alfaxalone with or without dexmedetomidine on short electroretinography (ERG), ocular parameters and cardiorespiratory in healthy cats.
UNASSIGNED: Eight healthy female spayed cats were treated with three sedation protocols: IM administration of 5 μg/kg dexmedetomidine (DEX), 5 mg/kg alfaxalone (ALF), and 5 μg/kg dexmedetomidine plus 5 mg/kg alfaxalone (DEX + ALF). The washout period after each treatment was 2 weeks. Physiological parameters, time metrics, intraocular pressure (IOP), Schirmer tear test 1 (STT-1) and a short ERG protocol were recorded. For age data, weight data, time metrics and ERG data, one-way ANOVA with Bonferroni posterior comparisons were performed. For physiological parameters, IOP and STT-1 data, two-way repeated measures ANOVA with Bonferroni posterior comparisons were performed. Statistical significance was set at a p-value <0.05.
UNASSIGNED: IOPs were increased in all three groups compared to baseline and showed no significant differences among three groups at any time point. STT-1 values were decreased significantly during the process. Significant differences were noticed between a-wave amplitude in the dark-adapted response between DEX and ALF, and a-wave amplitude in light-adapted response between ALF and DEX + ALF.
UNASSIGNED: This study demonstrates the feasibility of three sedation protocols for short ERG recording in cats. All these treatments resulted in increased IOP values and reduced STT-1 values. But baseline data of ERG was not obtained as a blank control in cats.

The aim of this study was to compare three different anesthetic protocols administered intramuscularly (IM) in cats undergoing elective ovariectomy, while evaluating the quality of sedation, antinociceptive, isoflurane-sparing effect, and analgesia in the intra-operative and post-operative phases. A total of 71 female cats were sedated IM with alfaxalone (3 mg/kg) combined with either butorphanol (0.3 mg/kg), methadone (0.3 mg/kg), or pethidine (5 mg/kg). During surgery, vital parameters were constantly monitored; at the end of the procedure, the quality of recovery was assessed through a specific form and each cat was scored for perceived pain using the UNESP-Botucatu scale for 5 days, and rescue analgesia was provided with buprenorphine IM when indicated. Moreover, differences between two different post-operative resting regimens (hospital kennels vs. home) were also assessed. A significant difference emerged for the amount of IM dexmedetomidine required to achieve an adequate level of sedation for intravenous catheterization, highlighting a greater need in the pethidine group (p = 0.021). There was no significant difference between opioid groups for the requirement of intra-operative rescue analgesia, and the clinical parameters were kept within physiological ranges regardless of the opioid used in premedication. Lastly, differences between the UNESP-Botucatu scores were detected from day 3 to day 5 post-operatively, with lower scores in cats with home resting regimens compared to the hospitalized animals, likely due to the presence of an unfamiliar condition and the absence of a cat-friendly environment.

UNASSIGNED: The intramuscular (IM) administration of 7.5-10 mg/kg of alfaxalone produces anesthetic effects that enable endotracheal intubation with mild cardiorespiratory depression in dogs. However, the effects of IM co-administration of medetomidine, butorphanol, and alfaxalone on cardiorespiratory function under inhalation anesthesia have not been studied.
UNASSIGNED: To assess the cardiorespiratory function following the IM co-administration of 5 μg/kg of medetomidine, 0.3 mg/kg of butorphanol, and 2.5 mg/kg of alfaxalone (MBA) in dogs anesthetized with sevoflurane.
UNASSIGNED: Seven intact healthy Beagles (three males and four females, aged 3-6 years old and weighing 10.0-18.1 kg) anesthetized with a predetermined minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of sevoflurane were included in this study. The baseline cardiorespiratory variable values were recorded using the thermodilution method with a pulmonary artery catheter after stabilization for 15 minutes at 1.3 times their individual sevoflurane MAC. The cardiorespiratory variables were measured again following the IM administration of MBA. Data are expressed as median [interquartile range] and compared with the corresponding baseline values using the Friedman test and Sheff\'s method. A p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
UNASSIGNED: The intramuscular administration of MBA transiently decreased the cardiac index [baseline: 3.46 (3.18-3.69), 5 minutes: 1.67 (1.57-1.75) l/minute/m2 : p < 0.001], respiratory frequency, and arterial pH. In contrast, it increased the systemic vascular resistance index [baseline: 5,367 (3,589-6,617), 5 minutes:10,197 (9,955-15,005) dynes second/cm5/m2 : p = 0.0092], mean pulmonary arterial pressure, and arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide.
UNASSIGNED: The intramuscular administration of MBA in dogs anesthetized with sevoflurane transiently decreased cardiac output due to vasoconstriction. Although spontaneous breathing was maintained, MBA administration resulted in respiratory acidosis due to hypoventilation. Thus, it is important to administer MBA with caution to dogs with insufficient cardiovascular function. In addition, ventilatory support is recommended.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the mydriatic effect of topical 10% phenylephrine with 10 mg/mL rocuronium bromide and compare this protocol with and without pretreatment with proparacaine.
METHODS: Ten client-owned pet adult eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina).
METHODS: All turtles were sedated with 8 mg/kg alfaxalone intramuscularly. One group of four turtles received four 20 μL drops of 10% phenylephrine and four 20 μL drops of rocuronium bromide in the right eye. Another group of four turtles received one standard drop of proparacaine followed by four 20 μL drops of 10% phenylephrine and four 20 μL drops of rocuronium bromide in the right eye. Two control group turtles received four 20 μL drops of saline in the right eye. The left eye was untreated in all turtles. Drops of the same type were separated by 2 min while drops of different types were separated by 5 min. Pupil size was recorded at 0, 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, 180, 240, and 360 min after administration of the final drop.
RESULTS: Treatment with 10% phenylephrine and rocuronium bromide resulted in pupil diameter changes from baseline that were statistically significant from zero at 60, 90, and 120 min in the non-proparacaine group and 90 min in the proparacaine group. The time to peak effect was 90 min in the proparacaine group and 75 min in the non-proparacaine group. Saline-treated pupils in the control group decreased in diameter over the study period. Overall, the treated eyes of the proparacaine group and non-proparacaine group were not different from each other, but both dilated more than the control group.
CONCLUSIONS: Rocuronium bromide and 10% phenylephrine can produce effective and safe mydriasis in eastern box turtles, but there was wide interindividual variation in effectiveness. Proparacaine did not improve the mydriatic effect.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of alfaxalone, medetomidine, and xylazine on intraocular pressure (IOP) in domestic pigeons (Columba livia domestica).
METHODS: Eight 12-month-old pigeons (16 eyes).
METHODS: The pigeons were randomly assigned to three treatment groups (10 mg/kg of alfaxalone, 0.2 mg/kg of medetomidine, or 10 mg/kg of xylazine) with a 7-day washout period. The IOP was measured using a rebound tonometer and calibrated using the formula y = 0.439x + 2.059, where y is the tonometric IOP and x is the actual IOP.
RESULTS: All three drugs significantly reduced IOP. Alfaxalone led to the least reduction at 5.2 mm Hg, medetomidine reduced IOP to 12.5 mm Hg, whereas xylazine resulted in the greatest reduction at 15.3 mm Hg. Alfaxalone achieved its maximum IOP reduction in 6 min, whereas medetomidine and xylazine required 95 and 115 min, respectively. Both alpha-2 agonists, medetomidine, and xylazine, showed a prolonged duration of effect and a greater reduction in IOP than those of alfaxalone. All three medications provided adequate sedation without any discernible adverse effects.
CONCLUSIONS: The findings revealed the varied effects of these drugs on IOP in pigeons, potentially providing valuable insights that could be useful for broader applications in veterinary medicine.

This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of two anesthetic agents, alfaxalone and propofol, on maternal physiological parameters (heart and respiratory rates, blood pressure, and temperature) on either ovariohysterectomies or cesarean sections in bitches. A total of 34 healthy and pyometra-affected females (classified as ASA II), were induced with IV propofol (4 mg/kg), while 35 females, both healthy and pyometra affected, were induced with IV alfaxalone (1 mg/kg). For cesarean sections, females (ASA II) were induced with propofol (n = 14) or alfaxalone (n = 14). Additionally, the neonatal viability and modified Apgar score were recorded at 5, 60, and 120 min post-delivery. There were no significant differences in the physiological parameters when comparing the use of propofol and alfaxalone in bitches undergoing ovariohysterectomies, regardless of their health status, nor when comparing cesarean sections. It was observed that bitches induced with propofol occasionally required an additional dose for maintenance of the anesthesia. Neonatal mortality rates were similar for both groups; however, alfaxalone was associated with higher neonatal viability as indicated by the Apgar scores. The findings suggest that both anesthetic protocols are effective and safe for use in canine reproductive surgeries, with no major differences in basic physiological parameters\' alteration or neonatal outcomes between the two agents.

UNASSIGNED: To evaluate the effect of water temperature on intramuscular injected alfaxalone anesthesia in carp (Cyprinus carpio).
UNASSIGNED: Six healthy adult carp (C. carpio) were intramuscularly injected with alfaxalone (2.5, 5.0, or 7.5 mg/kg) at normal water temperature (25°C) and at low water temperature (2.5 mg/kg, 15°C). The respiratory rate, heart rate (HR), and anesthesia depth (AD) were evaluated every 5 min for 30 min after administration and every 1 h after 60 min after injection.
UNASSIGNED: The respiratory and HRs did not change significantly upon alfaxalone injection, regardless of dose. However, a dose-dependent increase in AD scores was observed. Furthermore, 2.5 mg/kg alfaxalone injected in 15°C water showed an almost equal anesthetic effect to that of 5.0 mg/kg alfaxalone in 25°C water.
UNASSIGNED: Alfaxalone is readily available, and its anesthetic effect in carp was enhanced by lowering water temperature, illustrating the possibility of intramuscular injection of alfaxalone in fish.

Anesthetics have varying physiological effects, but most notably alter ion channel kinetics. Alfaxalone is a rapid induction and washout neuroactive anesthetic, which potentiates γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-activated GABAA receptor (GABAA-R) currents. This study aims to identify any long-term effects of alfaxalone sedation on pyramidal neuron action potential and GABAA-R properties, to determine if its impact on neuronal function can be reversed in a sufficiently short timeframe to allow for same-day electrophysiological studies in goldfish brain. The goldfish (Carassius auratus) is an anoxia-tolerant vertebrate and is a useful model to study anoxia tolerance mechanisms. The results show that alfaxalone sedation did not significantly impact action potential properties. Additionally, the acute application of alfaxalone onto naive brain slices caused the potentiation of whole-cell GABAA-R current decay time and area under the curve. Following whole-animal sedation with alfaxalone, a 3-h wash of brain slices in alfaxalone-free saline, with saline exchanged every 30 min, was required to remove any potentiating impact of alfaxalone on GABAA-R whole-cell currents. These results demonstrate that alfaxalone is an effective anesthetic for same-day electrophysiological experiments with goldfish brain slices.