Comparison of preoperative carprofen and postoperative butorphanol as postsurgical analgesics in cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy.
OBJECTIVE
To compare carprofen to butorphanol, with regard to postsurgical analgesic effects, duration of analgesia, and adverse side effects.


METHODS
Blinded, randomized clinical study.


METHODS
Seventy-one cats, 0.5-5 years of age, weighing 3.24 +/- 0.61 kg, undergoing ovariohysterectomy (OHE).


METHODS
Cats were premedicated with subcutaneous atropine (0.04 mg kg(-1)), acepromazine (0.02 mg kg(-1)), and ketamine (5 mg kg(-1)). Anesthesia was induced with ketamine (5 mg kg(-1)) and diazepam (0.25 mg kg(-1)) given intravenously, and maintained with isoflurane. There were three treatment groups: group C (4 mg kg(-1) carprofen SC at induction), group B (0.4 mg kg(-1) butorphanol SC at end of surgery), and group S (0.08 mL kg(-1) of sterile saline SC at induction and end of surgery). Behavioral data were collected using a composite pain scale (CPS), prior to surgery (baseline) and 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 hours post-surgery. Interaction scores were analyzed separately. Cats with CPS scores >12 received rescue analgesia (meperidine, 4 mg kg(-1), intramuscular).


RESULTS
Sixty cats completed the study. The CPS scores did not differ significantly between groups C and B at any time period. CPS scores for groups B and C were significantly increased for 12 hours post-surgery, and in group S for 20 hours. Both group C and B CPS scores were significantly lower than group S in this 20-hour postoperative period, except at 4 hours (B and C) and at 3 and 8 hours (B alone). Interaction scores for group C returned to preoperative baseline 4 hours after surgery, while both groups B and S remained increased for at least 24 hours post-surgery. Nine cats required meperidine.


CONCLUSIONS
In this study, carprofen provided better postsurgical analgesia than butorphanol. Clinical relevance Neither drug completely abolished pain, however preoperative carprofen provided better pain control compared with postoperative butorphanol in the 24-hour period following OHE surgery in cats.
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St Paul, MN, USA.
Mona M
MM
Al-Gizawiy
Elaine
E
P Rudé
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002077:Butorphanol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002227:Carbazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002415:Cats / Q000502:physiology* / Q000601:surgery; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D007044:Hysterectomy / Q000662:veterinary; D007267:Injections / Q000662:veterinary; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000662:veterinary; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000662:veterinary; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000662:veterinary; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D002227:Carbazoles; C007005:carprofen; D002077:Butorphanol