title: Behavioural effects of ovariohysterectomy and oral administration of meloxicam in laboratory housed rabbits.
abstract: This study aimed to develop a behaviour-based pain assessment system for rabbits following ovariohysterectomy. Behaviour was analysed to assess the severity and duration of pain induced and determine the effects of administration of meloxicam. The results suggest that pain associated with ovariohysterectomy induced changes in the frequency and duration of a number of behaviours. The most indicative was inactive pain behaviour, which was observed very infrequently prior to surgery compared to very frequently immediately following surgery. This strongly suggests that this increase is a direct response to the surgical pain and/or stress. The frequency of inactive pain behaviour also decreased over the four days post-surgery suggesting that pain is decreasing during this time. High dose meloxicam (initial 1mg/kg followed 0.5mg/kg/day) induced some degree of analgesia. However, higher doses of meloxicam or in combination with an opioid may be required to provide consistent analgesia in rabbits following soft-tissue surgery.
authors.affiliation: Comparative Biology Centre, Medical School, University of Newcastle, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK. m.c.leach@ncl.ac.uk
authors.forename: Matthew C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Leach
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Allweiler
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Richardson
authors.forename: John V
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Roughan
authors.forename: Ruediger
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Narbe
authors.forename: Paul A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Flecknell
mesh_terms: D000698:Analgesia; D000818:Animals; D000830:Animals, Laboratory; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D007044:Hysterectomy / Q000523:psychology* / Q000662:veterinary; D000077239:Meloxicam; D010052:Ovariectomy / Q000523:psychology* / Q000662:veterinary; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000517:prevention & control; D011817:Rabbits; D013843:Thiazines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013844:Thiazoles / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D016861:Cyclooxygenase Inhibitors; D013843:Thiazines; D013844:Thiazoles; D000077239:Meloxicam