Search

This study was aimed at comparing the postoperative analgesic effects of tolfenamic acid and meloxicam in dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy. Ovariohysterectomy was performed in 24 female dogs. All dogs were administered pre-anaesthetic medication comprised of 0.02 mg/kg i.m. acepromazine, and general anaesthesia was induced with i.v. propofol (4-6 mg/kg) and maintained with 1.5-2.0% isoflurane. Dogs were divided into three groups (n = 8). Following induction of anaesthesia, group C received 0.05 ml/kg sterile saline i.m.; group T received 4 mg/kg tolfenamic acid i.m.; group M received 0.2 mg/kg meloxicam s.c. Heart rate, respiratory rate, rectal temperature, mean arterial pressure and arterial oxygen saturation of haemoglobin were monitored intraoperatively. Pain was assessed using the short form of the Glasgow composite pain scale (SF-GCPS) by two observers who were blinded to the treatment groups; pain was assessed at the time of pre-medication (baseline), and at 2, 4, 6, 8, 12 and 24 h after extubation. Rescue analgesia (0.2 mg/kg i.m. methadone) was administered to any dog with an SF-GCPS score of greater than or equal to six during postoperative monitoring. The pain score in group C was significantly higher compared with group T and group M at 4, 6 and 8 h, while there were no significant differences between the two treatment groups. The mean pain score in group C was also higher than that in group M at 2 h. Rescue analgesia was first administered at 4 h in group C. Rescue analgesia was required by significantly more dogs in group C (n = 8) compared with groups T (n = 0) and M (n = 1), but there was no significant difference between the two treatment groups. Thus, tolfenamic acid and meloxicam provide adequate postoperative analgesia to similar degrees over 24 h in healthy dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy.

Relieving perioperative pain can reduce postoperative suffering and improve recovery from anaesthesia in animals. The aim of this study was to compare the analgesic effects of nefopam and tramadol in dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy. Twenty-four adult mixed-breed female dogs were randomly divided into three groups (n = 8) and received their respective treatments immediately after surgery: Group T (2 mg/kg tramadol, i.v.), Group C (1 mg/kg nefopam, i.v.) and Group D (2 mg/kg nefopam, i.v.). The heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), respiratory rate (RR) and rectal temperature (RT) were measured and the level of analgesia was assessed using the Glasgow Composite Measure Pain Scale (CMPS-SF). The CMPS-SF was performed at least two days before premedication (baseline), every 2 h for the first 8 h (post-extubation), at 12 h and at 24 h. Results showed that the HR in all groups was significantly (P < 0.05) higher at 2 and 6 h than at baseline. The RR in Group T was significantly higher (P < 0.05) at 0 and 2 h than at baseline. Rescue analgesia (0.2 mg/kg morphine, i.v.) was provided if CMPS-SF pain scores greater than or equal to six. Four dogs required rescue analgesia: one dog in Group T at 2 h and three dogs in Group C at 2 and 6 h. No dogs in Group D required rescue analgesia. The CMPS-SF pain scores of dogs in Group C were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than those in Group T at 6, 8 and 12 h. The scores in Group D were significantly lower (P < 0.05) than those in Group C at 2, 4, 6, 8 and 12 h. The scores in Group D were significantly lower (P < 0.05) than those in Group T at 2 and 4 h. However, the scores in Group D were not significantly different compared with Group T. In conclusion, this study suggests that nefopam at 2 mg/kg i.v. produces better postoperative analgesia compared with tramadol at 2 mg/kg i.v. or nefopam at 1 mg/kg i.v. in dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy.

Oxidative stress in the body occurs when the production of free radicals overwhelms the antioxidant defence systems. This study aimed to investigate the effects of a combination of dexmedetomidine, midazolam, butorphanol, and atropine (DMBA) as an anaesthetic on plasma oxidative status in twelve raccoon dogs. Baseline measures were recorded prior to anaesthesia, and then the animals were anaesthetised with the combination of dexmedetomidine (25 ug/kg), midazolam (0.45 mg/kg), butorphanol (0.25 mg/kg), and atropine (0.035 mg/kg). Temperature, respiratory rate, haemoglobin saturation by oxygen, pulse rate, systolic arterial pressure, diastolic arterial pressure, and mean arterial pressure were continually monitored. Blood pressure was significantly decreased at 30 to 60 min (P < 0.05). Pulse rate ranged from 96 to 123 bpm, without episodes of severe bradycardia or tachycardia. Blood samples were collected from saphenous venipuncture at 0, 0.5, 1, and 24 h before, during, and after anaesthesia. Plasma superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase activity, and malondialdehyde concentrations were measured by colorimetry, and plasma vitamin E level was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. Superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities increased significantly (P < 0.05) at 0.5 h, and then gradually decreased to baseline values after 1 h. Catalase activity increased significantly (P < 0.05) at 0.5 h, 1 h, and then gradually decreased to baseline values after 24 h. There was no significant change in vitamin E level (P < 0.05).The concentration of malondialdehyde decreased significantly at 0.5, 1, and 24 h after injection (P < 0.05). The results show that the administered dose of dexmedetomidine, midazolam, butorphanol, and atropine has antioxidant effects in raccoon dogs. Our study is the first to demonstrate that dexmedetomidine, midazolam, butorphanol, and atropine exert antioxidant effects, which may be exploited to alleviate the stress of examination and research at veterinary clinics.