George Strain

Publications (83) View all

• Article: Canine deafness.

  George M Strain
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: Conductive deafness, caused by outer or middle ear obstruction, may be corrected, whereas sensorineural deafness cannot. Most deafness in dogs is congenital sensorineural hereditary deafness, associated with the genes for white pigment: piebald or merle. The genetic cause has not yet been identified. Dogs with blue eyes have a greater likelihood of hereditary deafness than brown-eyed dogs. Other common forms of sensorineural deafness include presbycusis, ototoxicity, noise-induced hearing loss, otitis interna, and anesthesia. Definitive diagnosis of deafness requires brainstem auditory evoked response testing.
  Veterinary Clinics of North America Small Animal Practice 11/2012; 42(6):1209-24. · 1.64 Impact Factor
• Article: Palpation- and ultrasound-guided brachial plexus blockade in Hispaniolan Amazon parrots (Amazona ventralis).

  Anderson F da Cunha, George M Strain, Nathalie Rademacher, Rodney Schnellbacher, Thomas N Tully
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: Objective  To compare palpation-guided with ultrasound-guided brachial plexus blockade in Hispaniolan Amazon parrots. Study design  Prospective randomized experimental trial. Animals  Eighteen adult Hispaniolan Amazon parrots (Amazona ventralis) weighing 252-295 g. Methods  After induction of anesthesia with isoflurane, parrots received an injection of lidocaine (2 mg kg(-1) ) in a total volume of 0.3 mL at the axillary region. The birds were randomly assigned to equal groups using either palpation or ultrasound as a guide for the brachial plexus block. Nerve evoked muscle potentials (NEMP) were used to monitor effectiveness of brachial plexus block. The palpation-guided group received the local anesthetic at the space between the pectoral muscle, triceps, and supracoracoideus aticimus muscle, at the insertion of the tendons of the caudal coracobrachial muscle, and the caudal scapulohumeral muscle. For the ultrasound-guided group, the brachial plexus and the adjacent vessels were located with B-mode ultrasonography using a 7-15 MHz linear probe. After location, an 8-5 MHz convex transducer was used to guide injections. General anesthesia was discontinued 20 minutes after lidocaine injection and the birds recovered in a padded cage. Results  Both techniques decreased the amplitude of NEMP. Statistically significant differences in NEMP amplitudes, were observed within the ultrasound-guided group at 5, 10, 15, and 20 minutes after injection and within the palpation-guided group at 10, 15, and 20 minutes after injection. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups. No effect on motor function, muscle relaxation or wing droop was observed after brachial plexus block. Conclusions and clinical relevance  The onset of the brachial plexus block tended to be faster when ultrasonography was used. Brachial plexus injection can be performed in Hispaniolan Amazon parrots and nerve evoked muscle potentials were useful to monitor the effects on nerve conduction in this avian species. Neither technique produced an effective block at the doses of lidocaine used and further study is necessary to develop a useful block for surgical analgesia.
  Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia 10/2012; · 0.94 Impact Factor
• Book: Deafness in Dogs and Cats

  George M. Strain
  edited by George M. Strain, 01/2011; CABI., ISBN: 13:978 1 84593 764 5
• Article: Post-anesthesia deafness in dogs and cats following dental and ear cleaning procedures.

  Cathryn K Stevens-Sparks, George M Strain
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: The present study was performed to document hearing loss in dogs and cats following procedures performed under anesthesia. Most cases of reported hearing loss were subsequent to dental and ear cleaning procedures. Prospective and retrospective case survey. Subjects were dogs and cats with deafness, personally communicated to one author, cases discussed on a veterinary information web site, and cases communicated through a survey of general practice and dental specialist veterinarians. Reported deafness cases were characterized by species (dog, cat), breed, gender, age, and dog breed size. Sixty-two cases of hearing loss following anesthesia were reported between the years 2002 and 2009. Five additional cases were reported by survey respondents. Forty-three cases occurred following dental procedures. Sixteen cases occurred following ear cleaning. No relationship was observed between deafness and dog or cat breed, gender, anesthetic drug used, or dog size. Geriatric animals appeared more susceptible to post-anesthetic, post-procedural hearing loss. Deafness may occur in dogs and cats following anesthesia for dental and ear cleaning procedures, but the prevalence is low. The hearing loss appears to be permanent. Deafness can be a consequence following anesthesia for dental or ear cleaning procedures. Older animals may have greater susceptibility.
  Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia 07/2010; 37(4):347-51. · 0.94 Impact Factor
• Chapter: Deafness

  G.M. Strain
  01/2010: pages 476-477;