title: Robenacoxib versus meloxicam for the control of peri-operative pain and inflammation associated with orthopaedic surgery in cats: a randomised clinical trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely used in veterinary medicine. Robenacoxib is a NSAID with high selectivity for the cyclo-oxygenase-2 enzyme. In this study, the efficacy and safety of robenacoxib were evaluated in a prospective, randomised, active- and placebo-controlled masked clinical trial in 147 cats undergoing orthopaedic surgery. Cats were randomised into two treatment groups: Group 1, robenacoxib (2 mg/kg) administered via subcutaneous (s.c.) injection before surgery, followed by robenacoxib tablets (1-2.4 mg/kg) administered post-operatively for approximately 9 days (n = 101) and Group 2, meloxicam (0.3 mg/kg) administered s.c. before surgery, followed by placebo tablets administered post-operatively for approximately 9 days (n = 46). Cats were assessed using numerical rating scales (NRSs) by clinicians before surgery and at 3, 8, 22 and 28 hours after surgery and at the final visit (VF on approximately Day 10), and daily by their owners from Day 1 to the VF.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The primary end point was the global investigator score which was the sum of clinician NRSs for posture, behaviour and pain on palpation/manipulation. The efficacy of the single robenacoxib injection, assessed during 3 to 22 hours, was statistically non-inferior to meloxicam, with a relative efficacy of 1.029 (95% confidence interval, 0.847-1.231). No significant differences were detected during the follow-up treatment with robenacoxib tablets for approximately 9 days compared with placebo via clinician assessments at 28 hours and the VF, or in owner assessments on Days 1-VF. There were no significant differences in frequencies of reported adverse events, clinical observations and haematology or clinical chemistry variables between the groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Single s.c. injection of robenacoxib before surgery had non-inferior efficacy compared with meloxicam in controlling post-operative pain and inflammation in cats undergoing orthopaedic surgery. Follow-up treatment with oral robenacoxib tablets for approximately 9 days was well tolerated, but there were no differences in the efficacy scores after Day 1 compared with the group receiving meloxicam s.c. followed by placebo control.
authors.affiliation: Novartis Santé Animale S.A.S, Clinical Development, F-92506, Rueil Malmaison Cedex, France. cindy.speranza@novartis.com.
authors.forename: Cindy
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Speranza
authors.affiliation: Novartis Centre de Recherche Santé Animale SA, CH-1566, Saint-Aubin, Switzerland. vincent.schmid@novartis.com.
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Schmid
authors.affiliation: Novartis Animal Health Inc, Project Management, CH-4058, Basel, Switzerland. jerome.giraudel@novartis.com.
authors.forename: Jerome M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Giraudel
authors.affiliation: Novartis Animal Health Inc, Clinical Development, CH-4058, Basel, Switzerland. wolfgang.seewald@novartis.com.
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Seewald
authors.affiliation: Novartis Animal Health Inc, Clinical Development, CH-4058, Basel, Switzerland. jonathan.king@novartis.com.
authors.forename: Jonathan N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: King
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002415:Cats; D004159:Diphenylamine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood; D007249:Inflammation / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D000077239:Meloxicam; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000662:veterinary*; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D059035:Perioperative Period; D010648:Phenylacetates / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013843:Thiazines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013844:Thiazoles / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D010648:Phenylacetates; D013843:Thiazines; D013844:Thiazoles; D004159:Diphenylamine; D000077239:Meloxicam; D006854:Hydrocortisone; C551524:robenacoxib