The perioperative care of lambs and ewes when the former undergo major experimental (scoliotic) surgery

R Eddie Clutton, Enzo Vettoratto, Gudrun Schoeffman, Joan Docherty, John Burke, Alastair J N Gibson

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract / Description of output

The purpose of the study was to optimize postoperative comfort in lambs anaesthetized for the surgical creation of scoliosis while maintaining the ewe-lamb relationship to miminize rejection rates. The first management plan produced six scoliotic lambs but intraoperative hypoventilation and hypovolaemia followed by postoperative dyspnoea, pain, monitoring and nursing difficulties, hypothermia, hypoglycaemia and tympany were encountered. Three of eight lambs (38%) were rejected by their ewes. Perioperative management was amended which, combined with improved surgical technique, produced 16 scoliotic lambs. The lambs recovered more rapidly (mean time to standing after discontinuation of anaesthesia was reduced from 12 h to 70 min) and appeared to be more comfortable. No rejections occurred after the refinements were implemented.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)27-35
Number of pages9
JournalLaboratory Animals
Volume48
Issue number1
Early online date12 Aug 2013
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2014

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