Effects of adjunct electroacupuncture on severity of postoperative pain in dogs undergoing hemilaminectomy because of acute thoracolumbar intervertebral disk disease.
OBJECTIVE
To compare severity of postoperative pain in dogs undergoing hemilaminectomy because of acute thoracolumbar intervertebral disk disease treated with a combination of conventional analgesics and electroacupuncture (EAP) or with conventional analgesics alone.


METHODS
Controlled clinical trial.


METHODS
15 dogs undergoing surgery because of acute thoracolumbar disk disease.


METHODS
Dogs were alternately assigned to treatment (conventional analgesics and adjunct EAP) and control (conventional analgesics alone) groups. Analgesic treatment was adjusted as necessary by the attending clinician, who was not aware of group assignment. Pain scores were assigned 1, 3, and 12 hours after surgery and every 12 hours thereafter for 72 hours by the same individual who performed acupuncture treatments.


RESULTS
Total dose of fentanyl administered during the first 12 hours after surgery was significantly lower in the treatment group than in the control group, but dosages of analgesics administered from 12 through 72 hours after surgery did not differ between groups. Pain score was significantly lower in the treatment group than in the control group 36 hours after surgery, but did not differ significantly between groups at any other time.


CONCLUSIONS
Results provided equivocal evidence that adjunct EAP might provide some mild benefit in regard to severity of postoperative pain in dogs undergoing hemilaminectomy because of acute thoracolumbar intervertebral disk disease.
Laim
Annina
A
Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Berne, 3001 Berne, Switzerland.
Jaggy
André
A
Forterre
Franck
F
Doherr
Marcus G
MG
Aeschbacher
Gina
G
Glardon
Olivier
O
D000208:Acute Disease; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000601:surgery*; D004285:Dogs; D015671:Electroacupuncture / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D005283:Fentanyl / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D007796:Laminectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae; D008297:Male; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D005283:Fentanyl