A comparison of four methods of analgesia in cats following ovariohysterectomy.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effectiveness of preoperative administration of oral carprofen, subcutaneous ketoprofen, and local nerve block with bupivacaine in preventing postoperative pain-associated behavior in cats after ovariohysterectomy.


METHODS
Fifty-two female intact cats. Materials and methods Cats received butorphanol (0.44 mg kg(-1) IM), carprofen (2.2 mg kg(-1) PO), ketoprofen (2.2 mg kg(-1) SQ), or bupivacaine infiltration block (1.1 mg kg(-1) SQ) before surgery. Cortisol and drug concentrations and visual analog scale (VAS) and interactive visual analog scale (IVAS) pain-associated behavior scores were measured 2 hours before and 0, 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 hours after ovariohysterectomy.


RESULTS
Cats receiving butorphanol had significantly increased IVAS scores 2 hours after surgery compared with baseline measurements. Cats receiving carprofen, ketoprofen, and bupivacaine had significant increases from baseline in VAS and IVAS scores 1 and 2 hours after surgery. VAS and IVAS scores for cats receiving bupivacaine were significantly greater 1 and 2 hours after surgery than for cats that received butorphanol. Cats receiving carprofen had significant increases in cortisol 1 hour after surgery and significant decreases 24 hours after surgery compared with baseline measurements.


CONCLUSIONS
Preoperative carprofen and ketoprofen have effects on pain-associated behavior similar to butorphanol in cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy. Cats receiving bupivacaine blocks may require additional analgesics immediately after surgery.
Tobias
Karen M
KM
Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA.
Harvey
Ralph C
RC
Byarlay
Judy M
JM
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002045:Bupivacaine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002227:Carbazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002415:Cats / Q000502:physiology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D007044:Hysterectomy / Q000662:veterinary; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous / Q000662:veterinary; D007660:Ketoprofen / Q000008:administration & dosage; D009407:Nerve Block / Q000662:veterinary; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000662:veterinary; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000662:veterinary; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D002227:Carbazoles; D007660:Ketoprofen; C007005:carprofen; D002045:Bupivacaine