Safety and efficacy of preoperative administration of meloxicam, compared with that of ketoprofen and butorphanol in dogs undergoing abdominal surgery.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the safety and efficacy of preoperative administration of meloxicam with that of ketoprofen and butorphanol in dogs undergoing abdominal surgery.


METHODS
36 dogs undergoing laparotomy, splenectomy, or cystotomy.


METHODS
Dogs were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups. In the first part of the study, dogs were given a single dose of meloxicam, ketoprofen, or a placebo, and buccal mucosal bleeding times were measured. In the second part of the study, dogs were given meloxicam, ketoprofen, or butorphanol prior to surgery. Dogs in the butorphanol group received a second dose immediately after surgery. Pain scores (1 to 10) were assigned hourly for 20 hours after surgery and used to determine an overall efficacy score for each dog. Dogs with a pain score > or =3 were given oxymorphone for pain. Dogs were euthanatized 8 days after surgery, and gross and histologic examinations of the liver, kidneys, and gastrointestinal tract were conducted.


RESULTS
Overall efficacy was rated as good or excellent in 9 of the 12 dogs that received meloxicam, compared with 9 of the 12 dogs that received ketoprofen and only 1 of the 12 dogs that received butorphanol. No clinically important hematologic, biochemical, or pathologic abnormalities were detected.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggest that preoperative administration of meloxicam is a safe and effective method of controlling postoperative pain for 20 hours in dogs undergoing abdominal surgery; the analgesic effects of meloxicam were comparable to those of ketoprofen and superior to those of butorphanol.
Mathews
K A
KA
Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Canada.
Pettifer
G
G
Foster
R
R
McDonell
W
W
D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001760:Bleeding Time / Q000662:veterinary; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002077:Butorphanol / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004285:Dogs / Q000502:physiology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006487:Hemostasis / Q000187:drug effects; D007660:Ketoprofen / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007813:Laparotomy / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D000077239:Meloxicam; D009294:Narcotics / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary; D011897:Random Allocation; D013156:Splenectomy / Q000662:veterinary; D013843:Thiazines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013844:Thiazoles / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*
D018712:Analgesics, Non-Narcotic; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D009294:Narcotics; D013843:Thiazines; D013844:Thiazoles; D007660:Ketoprofen; D002077:Butorphanol; D000077239:Meloxicam