Femoral‐sciatic nerve block by levobupivacaine for a case of cheetah ( Acinonyx jubatus ) with metatarsal fracture

Femoral‐sciatic nerve block is commonly used regional anaesthetic technique in small animal clinical practice. However, no previous reports are available about femoral‐sciatic nerve block in cheetahs. This case report describes a femoral‐sciatic nerve block using levobupivacaine in a cheetah that had undergone a metatarsal fracture treatment. The femoral‐sciatic nerve block was performed using an ultrasound‐guided technique with 0.75 mg/kg of levobupivacaine per each site. Intraoperative end‐tidal sevoflurane concentrations were maintained between 0.6% and 1.5%, and no intraoperative or postoperative complications were recognized. It is the first report of a femoral‐sciatic nerve block in a cheetah and the use of levobupivacaine, long‐acting local anaesthetic agent, in a patient requiring prolonged perioperative pain management.