Anaesthetics and surgical evaluation of splenectomy in calves

Abstract

Splenectomy is an effective therapeutic procedure for a wide range of medical disorders in humans and small animals, but in calves, splenectomy has mostly been used for experimental purposes rather than surgical affections. Either therapeutic or research purposes, successful splenectomy is very important. Therefore, the objective of the study was to analyze the anaesthetics and surgical efficacy of splenectomy in calves. The study was performed in three calves at Shahedul Alam Quadary Teaching Veterinary Hospital (SAQTVH) (case no. 1), Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (CVASU) and Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI) (case no. 2 and 3), Savar, Dhaka. Under xylazine and ketamine-based general anesthesia, linear infiltration, and/or paravertebral anesthesia with 2% lidocaine hydrochloride, splenectomy was carried out on left flank region specifically parallel and posterior to the last rib. Post-operatively, antibiotics, pain killer, antihistaminic, and topical ointment were given. All calves demonstrated uneventful recovery with specific aftercare at 14th postoperative day. Case no. 1 was euthanized at 15th post-operative day and case no. 2 and 3 managed to survive (230 days) with the history of retardation of growth.  The present study suggests that the splenectomy can be successfully performed by just caudal and parallel to the last rib approach under xylazine and ketamine combination with local infiltration and/ or distal paravertebral anaesthesia. Adequate postoperative care also need to be considered as an integral part for successful recovery of the post splenectomy.