Neurological complications following spinal anaesthesia in a goat

Abstract

AbstractA 2‐year‐old, female, mixed breed goat presented for an abdominal hernia repair. After anaesthetic induction, spinal anaesthesia at the level of the lumbosacral junction was performed with preservative‐free morphine. After extubation, the patient developed neurological symptoms, which included extensor rigidity in the hindlimbs, twisting and bending at the thoracolumbar junction, and horizontal nystagmus. The patient also began vocalising and had hypersalivation. Three hours after the completion of anaesthesia, the patient was able to rise on its own. Two days after general anaesthesia, the patient collapsed unexpectedly. The postmortem examination revealed spinal haemorrhage and pulmonary thrombosis. Pulmonary thrombosis might have led to the death of the goat; however, a definitive conclusion was not reached regarding the cause of the pulmonary thrombosis and spinal haemorrhage. Veterinarians should be aware of possible complications with spinal anaesthesia, although rare; the evident cause for the neurological symptoms in this case remains unclear.