title: Incidence of delayed hair re-growth, pruritus, and urinary retention after epidural anaesthesia in dogs.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Delayed hair re-growth, pruritus and urinary retention are known complications after epidural anaesthesia in dogs. The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate the effect of epidurally administered drugs on the occurrence of these complications in dogs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety dogs were included in this study. Eighty client-owned dogs undergoing surgery were randomly assigned to one of three epidural treatment groups: either morphine and bupivacaine (MB), bupivacaine (B), or saline solution 0.9% (S) was administered epidurally to these patients. Ten dogs were only clipped in the lumbosacral area (C). Follow-up started 4 weeks after clipping and was performed every 4-5 weeks in cases of delayed hair re-growth or pruritus. Hair re-growth in the lumbosacral area was observed and compared to hair re-growth in the surgical field and the fentanyl patch area. Cytological analysis and a trichogram were performed if hair re-growth was delayed after 6 months. Time interval to first urination postoperatively was recorded (n = 80).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Hair re-growth was delayed in 11 dogs (12.2%; B: n = 7, S: n = 2, MB: n = 1, C: n = 1) with no differences between groups. Pruritus was evident in two dogs (2.2%; MB: n = 1, S: n = 1). After 6 months, hair had started to re-grow in all but one dog (B). After 10 months the coat of this dog had re-grown. Time to first urination did not differ between groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  No direct correlation between the particular drugs injected epidurally and delayed hair re-growth, pruritus and urinary retention could be shown. Dog owners should be informed that hair re-growth after epidural anaesthesia could be markedly delayed.
authors.affiliation: Dr. Karin S. Kalchofner Guerrero, Diplomate ECVAA, Small Animal Medicine & Surgery Academic Program, St. George's University, School of Veterinary Medicine, True Blue, Grenada, West Indies, Email: kguerrero@sgu.edu.
authors.forename: K S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Kalchofner Guerrero
authors.forename: T G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Guerrero
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schweizer-Kölliker
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Ringer
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hässig
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bettschart-Wolfensberger
mesh_terms: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000767:Anesthesia, Epidural / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D000818:Animals; D002045:Bupivacaine / Q000009:adverse effects; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006197:Hair / Q000254:growth & development / Q000473:pathology; D006201:Hair Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D009020:Morphine / Q000009:adverse effects; D016055:Urinary Retention / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D009020:Morphine; D002045:Bupivacaine
keywords: Canine; bupivacaine; complications; morphine; regional anaesthesia