The effects of epidural deracoxib on the ground reaction forces in an acute stifle synovitis model.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of epidurally administered deracoxib to mediate the signs of a sodium urate crystal-induced stifle synovitis in dogs, and to compare the efficacy of epidural versus subcutaneously administered deracoxib.


METHODS
Experimental, randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled modified cross-over design.


METHODS
Random source, adult, mixed breed dogs (n = 24; 14 males, 10 females).


METHODS
Sodium urate crystals were used to create a stifle synovitis model to evaluate the efficacy of deracoxib. Dogs were divided into 4 groups: 3 mg/kg epidural deracoxib, 1.5 mg/kg epidural deracoxib, 3 mg/kg subcutaneous deracoxib, and a placebo (vehicle for deracoxib). Force plate and subjective evaluations were made at time 0, 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 hours post-treatment. Repeated measures ANOVA with Bonferroni-corrected post hoc comparisons was used to determine significant treatment effects.


RESULTS
Peak vertical force (PVF) and vertical impulse (VI) were both significantly higher in deracoxib treated dogs compared with placebo. For 3 mg/kg epidural and subcutaneous deracoxib, PVF and VI were significantly greater than for 1.5 mg/kg epidural deracoxib. Overall pain score for all deracoxib-treated dogs was significantly lower than for placebo dogs.


CONCLUSIONS
Epidural administration of deracoxib is effective at providing analgesia in an acute joint pain model; however, it does not appear to be more effective than systemic administration.


CONCLUSIONS
Injectable deracoxib is effective in providing analgesia in acute inflammatory conditions of synovial joints.
Karnik
Priti S
PS
Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA, USA. pkarnik@vt.edu
Johnston
Spencer
S
Ward
Daniel
D
Broadstone
Richard
R
Inzana
Karen
K
D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004285:Dogs; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D007268:Injections, Epidural / Q000662:veterinary; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D011897:Random Allocation; D013264:Stifle; D013449:Sulfonamides / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013585:Synovitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014527:Uric Acid / Q000633:toxicity; D000096926:Benzenesulfonamides
D000700:Analgesics; D013449:Sulfonamides; D014527:Uric Acid; C471996:deracoxib; D000096926:Benzenesulfonamides