Perioperative use of thoracic epidural anaesthesia, dexmedetomidine and magnesium sulphate infusion in a dog undergoing neuroendocrine tumour resection

An 11‐year‐old, 22 kg, male neutered English Staffordshire Bull Terrier, in which a pheochromocytoma was removed from the left retroperitoneal space, was referred to investigate the regrowth of a mass in the same region. A neuroendocrine tumour, compatible with pheochromocytoma, was cytologically diagnosed after ultrasound‐guided fine‐needle aspirates, and the dog underwent explorative celiotomy. A combination of thoracic epidural anaesthesia, dexmedetomidine and magnesium sulphate infusion was used intraoperatively to control nociception and potential haemodynamic changes caused by sudden catecholamines release. Postoperative analgesia was provided by administering 0.12% levobupivacaine through the thoracic epidural catheter and oral paracetamol and gabapentin. Postoperative methadone was administered twice during the first 24 postoperative hours only. Two days after the surgery, the dog was anaemic and packed red blood cells were administered. No other complications occurred, and the dog was discharged from the hospital 5 days following surgery.