The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of hydroxyethyl starch solution (HES), a low molecular weight synthetic colloid, in the resuscitation of experimentally induced hemorrhagic shock in dogs. Hemorrhagic shock was experimentally induced in 12 beagles by blood letting over 5min, and the blood pressure was maintained stable at 40mmHg for 30min. Six of the dogs were then reinfused with 20ml/kg HES over 5min. The remaining 6 dogs were infused with 60 ml/kg lactated Ringer's solution over 5 min. Changes in parameters in systemic hemodynamics, blood gases, complete blood count, serum chemical profiles, coagulation status and urinalyses were compared between the groups. After resuscitation of hemorrhagic shock, the systemic hemodynamics were restored and maintained in dogs treated with low molecular weight HES. At the dosage used, no side effects were observed. It was suggested that low molecular weight HES can efficaciously and safely be used for the acute resuscitation of hemorrhagic shock in dogs.

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To evaluate the analgesic effect of epidural morphine in dogs, a clinical trial was performed using 119 dogs that underwent various surgical operations at Veterinary Hospital of the University of Tokyo. The pain score, sedation score, heart rate and respiratory rate were recorded at 0. 5, 2, 4, 8, 12, 18, 24 hours after the surgery (extubation: time 0) . From 0.5 to 18 hours after the surgery, the dogs administerd with morphine showed statistically lower values in pain score compared with control group. Except for some dogs that had received the major operation in the upper abdomen or some orthopedic cases, epidural administration of morphine provided sufficient analgesic effects against postoperative pain. Even in high risk patients or geriatric dogs, there were no side effects caused by administration of morphine, such as hypopnea.

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A four-years-old castrated male domestic cat was presented with a complaint of vomiting and difficulty in defecation. On physical examination, a large, firm mass was palpated in the right side of the abdomen. Radiographically and ultrasonographically, the parenchymatous mass occupied the right cranial portion of the abdomen. Intravenous urogram revealed that the mass was the right kidney. Thoracic radiography revealed no metastases in the lung. Right nephrectomy was performed. The histologic diagnosis was nephroblastoma. Eight days after the operation, the cat showed the signs of uremia with elevated BUN and serum creatinine levels and died on 50 days postoperatively.

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