Brachial plexus block as a part of balanced anesthesia in a jungle cat (Felis chaus) undergoing forelimb orthopedic surgery

Abstract

An adult male jungle cat (Felis chaus) weighing 6 kg with the history of inability to bearing weight on its left forelimb was presented. Physical examination and radiography revealed transverse radio-ulna fracture and carpal subluxation. Internal fixation with plate was chosen for treatment. On the day of surgery, anesthesia was induced with intramuscular ketamine (10 mg/kg) and midazolam (0.3 mg/kg). Brachial plexus block (BPB) was performed using lidocaine (3 mg/kg) and bupivacaine (0.75 mg/kg) mixture guided by an electrical nerve stimulator. During the surgery, anesthesia was maintained with isoflurane 0.5–1% in 100% oxygen. Heart rate, respiratory rate, rectal temperature, hemoglobin oxygen saturation, and end-tidal carbon dioxide tension remained stable during surgical procedure. The outcome of the present case suggests that combination of BPB and general anesthesia can be used to provide balanced anesthesia in wild felids. Reducing the isoflurane requirement and providing sufficient anti-nociception during surgery without any adverse effect are the main advantages of this protocol.