The effects of preoperative extradural bupivacaine and morphine on the stress response in dogs undergoing femoro-tibial joint surgery.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of preoperative extradural bupivacaine and morphine in attenuating the stress response in dogs undergoing femoro-tibial joint surgery.


METHODS
Prospective clinical study. Animal population Twelve client-owned dogs undergoing surgery for either repair of cruciate ligament rupture (ten) or correction of luxating patella (two). Body masses ranged from 12 to 45 kg (mean: 28.58 +/- 18.38). Age ranged from 19 to 121 months (mean: 66.5 +/- 49.5).


METHODS
Six of the dogs received extradural bupivacaine (up to 1.5 mg kg(-1)) combined with morphine (0.1 mg kg(-1); ED) while the other six received no extradural analgesia (C). The levels of cortisol, acute phase proteins (APPs), and red and white blood cell variables were measured in both groups of dogs before, and at various times after surgery. Pain was also assessed at various times after surgery. The number of postoperative morphine doses required, and their time of administration, was recorded for each animal. Method of statistical analysis Data were analysed using anova for repeated measures with p-values of <0.05 considered significant.


RESULTS
Cortisol levels in the ED group were significantly (p < 0.05) lower than those of the control group at the end of surgery. No statistically significant differences were found in APPs or red and white cell variables between dogs receiving, and those not receiving extradural bupivacaine and morphine. Four dogs in the control group and one in the ED group required postoperative morphine.


CONCLUSIONS
Pre-emptive extradural bupivacaine and morphine was effective in lowering the neuroendocrine stress response (cortisol) in the ED group but had no effect on the inflammatory response (acute phase response).
Sibanda
Sithembile
S
Department of Veterinary Surgery, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland. sithembiles@hotmail.com
Hughes
J M Lynne
JM
Pawson
Patricia E
PE
Kelly
Gabrielle
G
Bellenger
Christopher R
CR
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000775:Anesthesia, Spinal / Q000662:veterinary; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000818:Animals; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000601:surgery; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; D002045:Bupivacaine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004285:Dogs / Q000293:injuries / Q000502:physiology* / Q000601:surgery; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007268:Injections, Epidural / Q000662:veterinary; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D009020:Morphine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000662:veterinary; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000662:veterinary; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013264:Stifle / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D009020:Morphine; D006854:Hydrocortisone; D002045:Bupivacaine