International online survey to assess current practice in equine anaesthesia.

This research aimed to collect data on the current practices in equine anesthesia by conducting an international online survey to better inform the design of the future multicentre study, Confidential Enquiries into Perioperative Equine Fatalities (CEPEF-4). The study found that these practices can vary widely, highlighting several important topics for future investigation.

Research Methodology

• The researchers used an online questionnaire as the primary tool for data collection.
• This questionnaire was distributed to veterinarians internationally through emails, posters, flyers, and an editorial.
• The questionnaire was comprehensive and had 52 questions which were divided into eight categories: demographic data, information about the anaesthetist, preoperative anaesthesia management, technical equipment used, monitoring measures, drugs used, post-anaesthesia recovery, and areas of improvement and risks.
• The respondents also provided details about their potential participation in CEPEF-4.

Key Findings

• The questionnaire was completed by 199 veterinarians from 14 different countries. Of these, 43% worked in private hospitals, 36% in private practices, and 21% in university teaching hospitals.
• The monitoring modalities employed during anaesthesia varied widely among respondents, with electrocardiography (80%), invasive arterial blood pressures (70%), and pulse oximetry (60%) being the most commonly used.
• Various drugs were frequently or consistently used as part of a standard anesthesia protocol, including acepromazine, xylazine, butorphanol, ketamine, diazepam, isoflurane, dobutamine, and anti-inflammatory drugs like phenylbutazone and flunixin meglumine.
• About 40% of respondents reported that they routinely assisted during recovery.
• The key factors perceived as affecting the outcome of equine anaesthesia were the preoperative health status of the horse and the training of the anaesthetist.

Conclusion

• The study concluded that practices in equine anaesthesia vary significantly across different practitioners and locations.
• This survey provided important insights that can be used to structure a prospective multicentre cohort study, like CEPEF-4, for understanding equine fatalities post-anesthesia.
• Such data can help improve equine anaesthesia practices, hence reducing fatalities and promoting the horse’s recovery after surgery.