title: The use of analgesic drugs by South African veterinarians.
abstract: According to a survey, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents were the most popular analgesic used in South Africa for management of peri-operative pain, acute post-operative pain and chronic pain. The most popular non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents are flunixin meglumine and phenylbutazone. The most popular opioid type drug is buprenorphine, followed by morphine. In the peri-operative setting, analgesic agents were not actively administered to 86.3% of cats and 80.7% of dogs. Analgesic premedications were frequently administered, e.g. xylazine or ketamine, but no specific drug was administered for post-operative pain. Veterinarians need to critically review their anaesthetic and analgesic practices in order to achieve balanced anaesthesia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Companion Animal Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Onderstepoort, South Africa.
authors.forename: K E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Joubert
mesh_terms: D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002415:Cats; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004285:Dogs; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D019990:Perioperative Care / Q000662:veterinary; D013019:South Africa; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D018634:Veterinarians
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal