Evaluating a novel analgesic strategy for ring castration of ram lambs

Objective To evaluate the analgesic efficacy of the NSAIDs flunixin and meloxicam administered locally to the scrotum before ring castration. Study design Randomised, controlled, prospective study. Animals Forty eight single born male Merino lambs. Methods Lambs, aged approximately 4 weeks, were allocated to four groups for castration. Groups were: sham control; castration + saline; castration + flunixin; castration + meloxicam. Drugs (5 mL) were administered subcutaneously around the circumference of the scrotum immediately before castration. Cortisol, rectal temperature, haematology and plasma haptoglobin were measured before and up to 48 hours after treatment. Behaviour recorded by video for 12 hours after treatment was classified as pain avoidance behaviours in the first hour and postural behaviours in three 4 hour intervals. Results Ring castration (saline group) induced a bi‐phasic increase in cortisol with peaks at 90 minutes and 24 hours but no significant changes in haematology, haptoglobin or rectal temperature. Pain avoidance behaviours were increased and teat seeking decreased. Normal lying and normal standing postures were decreased and abnormal ventral lying, statue standing, abnormal standing and total abnormal postures increased. Flunixin decreased cortisol at 90 minutes (60.3 versus 117.3 nmol L^?1) and cortisol AUC (0–6 hours), decreased elevated leg movement (2.5 versus 5.4 events) and sum of pain avoidance behaviours (8.5 versus 16.7 events), improved time spent in normal ventral lying and decreased abnormal ventral lying and total abnormal postures compared to saline treated lambs. In a similar contrast, meloxicam caused non‐significant decreases in cortisol at 90 minutes, cortisol AUC (0–6 hours) and pain avoidance behaviours, and significantly improved the postural behaviours normal ventral lying (26.7 versus 15.4%) and normal standing (13.9 versus 7.5%), and reduced abnormal standing and total abnormal postures. Physiological and behavioural responses associated with ring castration for both NSAID treatment groups were generally greater than sham controls. Conclusions and clinical relevance Locally administered NSAIDs provided partial analgesia for ring castration.     

A pilot study: sodium urate synovitis as an acute model of inflammatory response using objective and subjective criteria to evaluate arthritic pain in cats

Sodium urate (SU) synovitis was evaluated as a model for feline arthritic pain using a placebo‐ and positive‐controlled (meloxicam) randomized blinded controlled single crossover design. Monosodium urate crystals [20 mg (1 mL) rod‐shaped] were injected into alternate stifles of trained anesthetized cats (n = 3) with a 28 day washout. During the first trial phase, two cats received meloxicam (0.1 mg/kg, PO), a nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug (NSAID), for three days before and on the day of SU injection; the third cat received placebo. Treatments and stifles were switched for the second trial. Total force, contact pressure and area of the fore and hind limbs were measured using a pressure mat one day and 0.5 h before, and 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 24, and 30 h post‐SU injection. Skin temperature, joint circumference, analgesia, lameness, and visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores, were measured at the same times. Comparisons were made for each time and for areas under the curve (AUC) using original and change from baseline; P < 0.05 was significant. Significant differences in force mat data and subjective data were found for the hind limb data (total force and total contact pressure at 6, 10, and 30 h; analgesia and VAS for pain at 4 h; lameness at 10, 24, and 30 h) and for AUC₀→_24h and AUC₀→_30h (total force, total contact pressure, and mean lameness score) and for differences from BL AUC₀→_10h (total contact area) and AUC₀→_24h (total contact area and mean lameness score) and AUC₀→_30h (total force, total contact area, and mean lameness). No cats required rescue analgesia. Injection of 1 mL of monosodium urate into the stifle of a cat causes moderate transitory pain and was suitable for assessing analgesic efficacy of an NSAID with a pressure mat and subjective criteria.     

Comparison of injectable robenacoxib versus meloxicam for peri-operative use in cats: results of a randomised clinical trial

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of robenacoxib, a selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor, for the treatment of post-operative pain and inflammation in cats. The study was a prospective, multi-centre, randomised, blinded, non-inferiority design clinical study to compare robenacoxib to meloxicam. Ninety-six cats undergoing surgery at eight centres in Japan were allocated randomly to receive a single s.c. injection of robenacoxib (2 mg/kg, n=67) or meloxicam (0.3 mg/kg, n=29) shortly before induction of anaesthesia. Most cats underwent soft tissue surgery (n=87), mainly ovariectomy (n=68). Post-operative pain and inflammation were assessed at 3, 8 and 22 h after recovery from anaesthesia using numerical rating scales. For the primary efficacy endpoint (total clinician score), robenacoxib had significantly better efficacy than meloxicam, the relative efficacy ratio being 1.47 (95% confidence interval 1.19-1.78, P=0.0003). For the secondary efficacy endpoints, robenacoxib was superior to meloxicam when assessed on the basis of posture, behaviour, pain on palpation and overall pain control, while meloxicam was superior with respect to wound heat. No cat in either group required rescue analgesia therapy. In tolerability assessments, pain during injection and pain and inflammation at the injection site 22 h after recovery from anaesthesia were rated significantly less with robenacoxib compared to meloxicam. Both treatments were well tolerated on the basis of clinical observations and blood tests, with no significant differences between groups. In conclusion, single pre-operative administration of robenacoxib was well tolerated and had superior efficacy to meloxicam in reducing post-operative pain in cats.     

A preliminary study of serum haptoglobin concentration as a prognostic indicator of ovine dystocia cases.

Serum samples were collected prior to the correction of dystocia in 45 sheep and from nine sheep following a normal parturition. Serum samples collected from a group of 16 non-pregnant ewes acted as non-pregnant controls. The mean serum haptoglobin concentration was significantly elevated (P less than 0.01) in those dystocia cases where dead lambs were present in utero compared to those ewes which had live lambs delivered. While the number of cases presented in this study is small, there is an indication that sheep with a serum haptoglobin concentration above 1.0 g/l represent a poor surgical risk. The three ewes which died following a caesarean operation had markedly elevated serum haptoglobin concentrations prior to surgery indicating an inflammatory reaction. Five ewes with a haptoglobin concentration of 0.4 g/l made an uneventful recovery following a caesarean operation.     

In vivo effects of meloxicam on inflammatory mediators,MMP activity and cartilage biomarkers in equine joints with acute synovitis

Reasons for performing study: Meloxicam is a commonly used nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drug in equine practice, but little is known about its in vivo effects on joint inflammation and cartilage turnover. Objectives: To study the effects of meloxicam on biomarkers of inflammation, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity, and cartilage biomarkers in joints with experimental synovitis. Methods: In a 2‐period cross‐over study, synovitis was induced at T = 0 h in the L or R intercarpal joint of 6 horses by intraarticular injection of 0.5 ng lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Horses received once daily meloxicam (0.6 mg/kg bwt per os) or placebo starting at post injection hour (PIH) 2, and clinical evaluations as well as blood and synovial fluid (SF) sampling were performed at PIH 0, 8, 24 and 168. Synovial fluid was analysed for prostaglandin E₂, bradykinin, substance P, general MMP activity, glycosaminoglycans (GAG), CS846 epitope, type II collagen cleavage fragments (C2C) and type II collagen carboxypropeptide (CPII). Concentrations in meloxicam‐ vs. placebo‐treated joints over time were compared using a linear mixed model. Results: Lipopolysaccharide injection caused marked transient synovitis without systemic effects. Meloxicam caused a significant reduction in lameness at PIH 8 and 24 and tended to reduce effusion. In addition, meloxicam significantly suppressed SF prostaglandin E₂ and substance P release at PIH 8 and bradykinin at PIH 24 compared to placebo treatment. General MMP activity at PIH 8 and 24 was significantly lower in meloxicam‐ vs. placebo‐treated joints, as were GAG, C2C and CPII concentrations at PIH 24. Conclusions: Acute transient synovitis leads to substantial increases in SF biomarkers of inflammation, MMP activity and cartilage turnover, which can be significantly suppressed by meloxicam. Potential relevance: Early oral treatment with meloxicam ameliorates not only clinical signs and joint inflammation in acute synovitis, but may also limit inflammation‐induced cartilage catabolism.     

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic effects of meloxicam in piglets subjected to a kaolin inflammation model

The pharmacokinetics and the analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effects of meloxicam were investigated in a placebo controlled study in 2-week-old piglets. Inflammation was induced by a subcutaneous injection of kaolin in the left metacarpus, and 16 h later, meloxicam (0.6 mg/kg) or saline was administered intramuscularly. The absorption half-life was relatively short (0.19 h) and the elimination half-life was 2.6 h. Mechanical nociceptive threshold testing was used to evaluate the analgesic effect, but no significant effect of the meloxicam treatment was found. The skin temperature of the inflamed area increased after the kaolin injection, but no significant decrease in temperature was found after administration of meloxicam. Only limited pyresis was observed after the kaolin injection, and no significant antipyretic effect of meloxicam was found. The results indicated that this dose of meloxicam had very limited anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects in piglets.     

青海加什科羊体尺指标的测定

对加什科村的99只成年公羊、24只周岁公羊,82只成年母羊和47只周岁母羊的体高、体长、胸围、胸深和管围等体尺指标进行了测定。结果表明,加什科羊除体高和管围比青海细毛羊小外,其他三项体尺均大于青海细毛羊。与青海半细毛羊比较,胸围和管围小于青海半细毛羊,其他三项体尺均大于青海半细毛羊。周岁母羊的体高和胸深稍大于青海半细毛羊,而体长、胸围和管围均大于青海半细毛羊。     

Pre‐emptive meloxicam for postoperative analgesia in piglets undergoing surgical castration

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of preoperative meloxicam administration on postoperative stress and pain induced by surgical castration in piglets.Study designProspective, blinded, randomized clinical trial.AnimalsOne hundred and eighty male piglets of <1 week of age.MethodsCastration was performed on 150 piglets which had received either an intramuscular injection of 0.4 mg kg^?1 meloxicam or a placebo 10–30 minutes before the procedure. Blood cortisol and ACTH concentrations were determined at 30 minutes post–castration and haptoglobin was measured at 24 hours post–castration. Presence or absence of foreleg movements, hind leg movements, urine or faeces emission, tremors or other body movements were recorded during the castration procedure. Scores for presence or absence of prostration, tremors, tail movements and isolation were recorded at 30 minutes, and at 1, 2, 4 and 24 hours post–castration and combined in a global behaviour score (GBS). Blood samples were taken from a further 30 piglets which did not undergo castration.ResultsMean blood cortisol and ACTH concentrations at 30 minutes post–castration were both significantly lower in the meloxicam group than in the placebo group (p ≤ 0.01). The mean haptoglobin concentration at 24 hours was not significantly reduced (p = 0.178). The distribution of the GBS during castration was similar in both groups. There were significant differences in the GBS after castration at both 2 and 4 hours post–castration with a greater proportion of piglets in the meloxicam group showing no behavioural alterations (82.7%versus 68.0% at both time points). The score distribution was similar in both groups at 30 minutes, 1 and 24 hours after castration.Conclusion and clinical relevanceThis study suggests that pre–emptive administration of meloxicam is able to produce some postoperative analgesia after surgical castration of young piglets.     

Comparison between meloxicam and transdermally administered fentanyl for treatment of postoperative pain in dogs undergoing osteotomy of the tibia and fibula and placement of a uniplanar external distraction device

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of meloxicam administered perioperatively with transdermal administration of fentanyl via a patch placed preoperatively in dogs undergoing orthopedic surgery. DESIGN: Prospective study. ANIMALS: 16 dogs. PROCEDURE: Unilateral or bilateral osteotomy of the tibia and fibula was surgically performed, and a uniplanar external distraction device was placed in each limb. Postoperative pain and lameness were assessed 24, 48, and 72 hours after administration of the first of 3 doses of meloxicam (0.2 mg/kg [0.09 mg/lb], IV, given preoperatively, followed by 0.1 mg/kg [0.045 mg/lb], IV, after 24 hours, and 0.1 mg/kg, PO, after 48 hours) or preoperative placement of a transdermal fentanyl patch (50 microg/h) left in place for 72 hours. RESULTS: No significant differences in total pain scores were detected between groups. Mean +/- SD lameness scores assessed at 24 and 72 hours were lower in dogs in the meloxicam group than dogs in the fentanyl group. Lameness scores decreased with time in a similar manner in both treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Perioperative administration of meloxicam or preoperative placement of a transdermal fentanyl patch provided effective and similar postoperative analgesia in dogs undergoing orthopedic surgery. However, because of its anti-inflammatory effects, treatment with meloxicam reduced the degree of lameness and resulted in rapid functional recovery of the limb.     

Effects of meloxicam or tolfenamic acid administration on the pain and stress responses of Merino lambs to mulesing

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of two long-acting non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) at reducing the pain and stress responses to mulesing in lambs. PROCEDURES: Merino lambs (n = 60) were allocated at 5 weeks of age to six treatment groups: (1) sham mules; (2) mules; (3) tolfenamic acid-sham mules; (4) tolfenamic acid administered 45 min before mulesing; (5) tolfenamic acid at the time of mulesing; (6) meloxicam at the time of mulesing. Plasma cortisol was measured at -0.75, -0.25, 0, 0.5, 1, 3, 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h relative to mulesing. Beta-endorphin concentrations in plasma were determined at 0, 0.5, 1, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h. Haematology was performed on blood samples taken at -0.75, 0, 24, 48 and 72 h. Plasma haptoglobin was measured at 0, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h. Rate of wound healing was determined 72 h post mulesing, and animal behaviour, including posture, was measured for 6 h after mulesing. RESULTS: The mulesed lambs exhibited large increases in plasma concentrations of cortisol, beta-endorphin and haptoglobin. All mulesed animals lost weight significantly in the week after mulesing, regardless of analgesic administration, but the difference in weight between mulesed and unmulesed lambs was less at the final measurement, 2 weeks after mulesing. Mulesed lambs spent significantly less time lying ventrally than control lambs. All lambs that were mulesed, including those administered NSAIDs, spent more time standing with a hunched posture and less time walking normally than control lambs. CONCLUSIONS: The NSAID treatments applied 45 min before or at the time of mulesing at the dose levels used in this study were not effective in reducing the acute response of lambs to mulesing.     

Effects of the NSAIDs Meloxicam and Indomethacin on Cartilage Proteoglycan Synthesis and Joint Responses to Calcium Pyrophosphate Crystals in Dogs

NSAIDs are a major cause for concern for their propensity to cause joint deterioration in canine, as in human, patients receiving these drugs for treatment of pain in osteoarthritis and other acute and chronic painful conditions. To determine the potential effects of the new NSAID meloxicam on cartilage integrity, the effects of this drug on proteoglycan biosynthesis in vitro and ex vivo were compared with those of indomethacin, a known inhibitor of sulphated proteoglycans that accelerates joint injury in human osteoarthritis.In vitro cartilage proteoglycan synthesis from a radiosulphate precursor was unaffected by 0.5–10.0 mol/L meloxicam but was significantly inhibited by 50 mol/L indomethacin after 6 or 24 h incubation of femoral or tibial cartilage explants in organ culture. This is in accord with previous observations in human or porcine articular cartilage under the same culture conditions.Studies were performed in vivo to establish the effects of the NSAIDs on joint integrity. This involved determining cartilage proteoglycan synthesis ex vivo, leukocyte, fluid and protein accumulation, as well as pain relief. Thus, meloxicam (0.2 mg/kg i.v.×3 doses) or indomethacin (0.5 mg/kg i.v.×3 doses) was given for 26 h and the effects were compared with a control (1.0 ml saline i.v.×3 doses) in dogs in which acute inflammation had been induced by intra-articular (i.a.) injection of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) crystals into the right stifle joint, an equivalent volume of saline being injected into the left stifle joint as a control. No effects were observed of the treatment with the NSAIDs on ex vivo sulphated proteoglycan synthesis. The lack of the expected inhibitory effects of indomethacin may be related to the relatively low plasma concentrations of this drug obtained during the 26 h period of treatment.The pain response, which was elicited up to 6 h following i.a. injection of CPPD crystals, was totally prevented by the treatment with meloxicam and to a lesser extent with indomethacin. There were no effects from the drug treatment on synovial inflammatory reactions (fluid and cell accumulation), although the protein concentration of the exudate was reduced by meloxicam. This indicates that, at the doses given, it was possible to discriminate the analgesic action from the anti-inflammatory action of the two NSAIDs, this being achieved at relatively low plasma concentrations of these drugs.In conclusion, while relatively high therapeutic concentrations of indomethacin inhibit cartilage proteoglycan synthesis, this is not an effect seen even at high concentrations of meloxicam. Furthermore, the lack of effects on proteoglycan synthesis was evident when these two drugs were given in vivo to dogs. However, the signs of pain, but not the inflammation in the joint, were relieved by low plasma concentrations of the drugs. Meloxicam may thus be safely employed for acute analgesia without the potential risks of joint cartilage damage that occurs with indomethacin given at anti-inflammatory doses for long periods of time.     

The effect of perineural anesthesia on infrared thermographic images of the forelimb digits of normal horses

Infrared thermography is an imaging modality gaining popularity as a diagnostic aid in the evaluation of equine lameness. Anecdotal reports of skin hyperthermia induced by local anesthesia, detected by thermography, have been made; however, no controlled studies have been reported. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of perineural anesthesia on infrared thermographic images of the forelimb digits in normal horses. After environmental acclimation, infrared thermographs were made at intervals of 0, 5, 10, 15, 30, and 45 min from administration of mepivacaine hydrochloride or phosphate buffered saline in 6 adult horses with no clinical evidence of abnormality of the forelimb digits. The mean limb surface temperatures were compared by 2-factor ANOVA. Results indicated no significant difference between treatments, time after injection, or an interaction of time and treatment. Infrared thermographic imaging apparently can be performed within 45 min of perineural mepivacaine hydrochloride anesthesia without risk of artifactual changes in limb surface temperature.     

Bovine acute phase response following turpentine injection

The serum levels of five proteins, alpha 1 antitrypsin, ceruloplasmin, fibrinogen, haptoglobin and seromucoid, were measured daily in calves after the subcutaneous injection of oil of turpentine. Raised concentrations were detected on the second and third days after injection with peak levels occurring on the fourth to seventh days and returning to normal by the 17th day. Levels of four of these proteins, alpha 1 antitrypsin, ceruloplasmin, haptoglobin and seromucoid were compared in the same calves following three different doses of turpentine. Levels of haptoglobin and seromucoid varied with the dose whereas ceruloplasmin and alpha 1 antitrypsin levels did not.     

澳洲白绵羊与杜泊绵羊在甘肃中部高寒地区生产性能比较研究

对澳洲白和杜泊在甘肃中部高寒地区的生产性能进行了试验比较分析。结果表明:澳洲白比杜泊平均胎产羔数高13.79%(P<0.01);相较于杜泊公羊,澳洲白公羊3月龄体重、体高、胸围、管围,初生至3月龄平均日增重增长极显著(P<0.01),初生至6月龄平均日增重,6月龄胸围,2周岁体高、胸围增长显著(P<0.05);相较于杜泊母羊,澳洲白母羊3月龄体重、体高、管围,6月龄体重、体高、胸围,初生至3、6月龄平均日增重增长极显著(P<0.01),3月龄胸围增长显著(P<0.05)。试验认为澳洲白与杜泊在甘肃中部高寒地区均能保持良好的生产性能,但澳洲白更适宜同类型地区推广利用。     

Tumor necrosis factor-α and acute-phase proteins in early pregnant ewes after challenge with peptidoglycan-polysaccharide

Bacterial infection shortly after mating interferes with establishment of pregnancy. Injection of peptidoglycan-polysaccharide (PG-PS), a component of gram-positive bacteria, into sheep on day 5 after mating reduces pregnancy rate. Experiments were designed to evaluate the acute-phase response (APR) in ewes to injection of PG-PS on day 5 after mating (day 0). Catheters were inserted into the jugular and posterior vena cava on day 4. On day 5, ewes were challenged with saline or 30 μg/kg body weight (BW) PG-PS (Exp 1) or 60 μg/kg BW PG-PS (Exp 2). Blood samples were collected every 15 min for 6 h (Exp 1) and every 15 min for 2 h, hourly for 12 h, and at 24, 36, and 48 h (Exp 2). Body temperature and clinical signs of infection were monitored in Exp 2. Plasma was assayed for concentrations of a pro-inflammatory cytokine, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α); 2 APR proteins, serum amyloid A (SAA) and haptoglobin (Hp); and progesterone (P₄). Ewes injected with 60 μg/kg BW PG-PS exhibited fever, vaginal discharge, loss of appetite, and lethargy. After challenge with either 30 μg/kg or 60 μg/kg BW PG-PS, TNF-α increased in the posterior vena cava. Concentrations of SAA and Hp in the jugular increased after challenge with 60 μg/kg BW PG-PS. Only half (5/10) of the ewes treated with 60 μg/kg BW PG-PS had ultrasonically visible embryos, and none of them had functional corpora lutea (CL) (<1 ng/mL of P₄) on day 21. On the other hand, 8/9 (88.9%) control ewes had visible embryos and all had functional CL on day 21. Using logistic regression, pregnancy on day 21 was predicted to depend on concentrations of TNF-α and Hp on day 5 and concentration of P₄ on day 14. In summary, injection of PG-PS on day 5 after mating resulted in fever; increased concentrations of TNF-α, Hp, and SAA on the day of and the day after the PG-PS challenge; and decreased concentrations of P₄ on days 14 and 21. These factors were related to failure to establish pregnancy.     

Haptoglobulin in domestic mammals. IV. Experimental influencing of the haptoglobulin level]

The effects of turpentine oil, vaccines, pyrogens, corticotrophin, prednisolone, adrenaline and autologous haemoglobin on the haptoglobin content of plasma was investigated in cattle and pigs. In comparison with rabbits, relatively small doses of turpentine oil led to a considerable increase in haptoglobin, a 50% increase occurring within 4 to 6 days in pigs and only 1.5-2 days in cattle. Bacterial products also increased haptoglobin. It was confirmed that pigs react very rapidly (after 8 hours) to injection of corticotrophin, prednisolone or adrenaline with an increase in plasma haptoglobin. Following complete saturation of infused haemoglobin by haptoglobin, new haptoglobin was rapidly formed, so that the initial haptoglobin concentration was regained about 24 hours after infusion of haemoglobin.     

Effects of preoperative administration of meloxicam on whole blood platelet aggregation, buccal mucosal bleeding time, and haematological indices in dogs undergoing elective ovariohysterectomy

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of preoperative administration of meloxicam, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug used for pain control, on primary haemostasis in dogs. Twenty healthy female dogs undergoing elective ovariohysterectomy were enrolled in the study. Sixty minutes before pre-anaesthesia, a single dose of meloxicam (0.2 mg/kg) was randomly administered intravenously (IV) to 10 dogs (treatment group) while control dogs received an equivalent volume of saline solution IV. Platelet aggregation, buccal mucosa bleeding time, platelet count and haematological indices were measured at 0, 1, 6 and 24 h after administration of meloxicam. Since significant differences between groups were not observed for any of the measured parameters, preoperative administration of meloxicam may be used for pain control before elective ovariohysterectomy in healthy dogs, without compromising primary haemostasis.     

Evaluation of the clinical efficacy of meloxicam in cats with painful locomotor disorders.

The ability of two non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to modify the clinical manifestations of pain associated with locomotor disease was assessed. Sixty-nine cats with acute or chronic locomotor disorders were recruited from 14 first opinion UK veterinary practices and randomly allocated to one of two treatment groups. Group A received meloxicam drops (0.3 mg/kg orally on day 1 followed by 0.1 mg/kg daily for four more consecutive days) and group B received ketoprofen tablets (1.0 mg/kg orally once daily for five days). Each cat underwent a full clinical examination before treatment, 24 hours after initiation of treatment and 24 hours after completion of treatment. General clinical parameters (demeanour and feed intake) and specific locomotor parameters (weightbearing, lameness, local inflammation and pain on palpation) were scored using a discontinuous scale scoring system. The two groups did not differ in terms of age, weight, gender distribution or duration of clinical signs; nor did they differ in terms of general clinical or specific locomotor scores pretreatment. Both treatment regimens resulted in a significant improvement in demeanour, feed intake and weightbearing, and a significant reduction in lameness, pain on palpation and inflammation. No significant difference was observed between the two treatment groups with respect to any of the parameters measured and both treatments were associated with minimal observed side effects. Meloxicam and ketoprofen were found to be effective analgesics and well tolerated in cats with acute or chronic locomotor disorders when administered for short-term treatment (five days) in such cases. However, meloxicam was assessed to be significantly more palatable than ketoprofen.     

Dose range finding study for the efficacy of meloxicam administered prior to sodium urate-induced synovitis in cats

ObjectiveTo determine the lowest efficacious dose of oral meloxicam for relieving pain in cats with a sodium urate (SU)-induced acute inflammatory synovitis.Study designRandomized, blinded, controlled, and four-way crossover study.AnimalsEight surgically neutered cats (four males, four females) paired according to sex.MethodsEach pair of cats was treated with 0 (placebo), 0.025, 0.05, or 0.075 mg kg^?1 oral meloxicam once daily for 4 days prior to injection, into alternating stifles, of 1 mL of 20 mg mL^?1 SU crystals, beginning with the right stifle. Each cat received each of the four treatments, separated by at least 21 days. Analgesic efficacy was evaluated based on objective (e.g., pressure mat data total force, contact pressure, and contact area) and subjective (e.g., scores for Analgesia Scale [AS], Lameness Scale [LS], and Visual Analog Scale [VAS]) outcome measures for pain assessment. All outcome measures were recorded before and during 30 hours after SU injection. The pre-defined primary outcome measure was the area under the response–time curve (AUC_0–30 hours) of the total force of the injected limb. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance. A sequential test procedure was applied and the test sequence stopped in case of a nonsignificant result.ResultsMeloxicam at doses of 0.05 and 0.075 mg kg^?1 day^?1 PO was significantly different from placebo for the pre-defined primary outcome measure (i.e., AUC_0–30 hours of total force). All tested meloxicam doses were lower than placebo for the subjective outcome measures (i.e., AUC_0–30 hours of AS, LS, and VAS).Conclusions and clinical relevanceThe lowest efficacious dose of meloxicam for relieving pain in cats with an SU-induced synovitis was 0.05 mg kg^?1 day^?1 PO according to the pre-defined primary outcome measure. However, lower doses may also be effective as seen in the subjective outcome measures.     

The pharmacokinetics and effects of meloxicam,gabapentin, and flunixin in postweaning dairy calves following dehorning with local anesthesia

Approved analgesic compounds in cattle are not currently available in the United States due to the lack of validated pain assessment methods and marker residue depletion studies. In this study, we compared the pharmacokinetic parameters and effect of preemptive analgesics administered to calves subjected to dehorning with local anesthesia. Holstein steers were randomly assigned to receive one of the following treatments per os (PO) or intravenously (IV) (n = 8/group): meloxicam (1 mg/kg PO), gabapentin (15 mg/kg PO), meloxicam (1 mg/kg), and gabapentin (15 mg/kg) PO, flunixin (2.2 mg/kg IV), or a placebo. Plasma drug, haptoglobin, substance P (SP) concentrations, serum cortisol concentrations, ocular thermography, mechanical nociceptive threshold (MNT), and average daily gain (ADG) were evaluated. Data were analyzed using mixed‐effects models and noncompartmental pharmacokinetic analysis. Meloxicam, gabapentin, and meloxicam with gabapentin at the present doses did not reduce cortisol concentrations. Analgesic‐treated calves had significantly lower plasma SP concentrations and improved ADG compared with controls. Flunixin calves had reduced circulating cortisol compared with controls. Meloxicam‐treated calves showed an increase in MNT at two horn bud sites compared with the other treatments. Analgesics improved ADG and reduced biomarkers of pain, but effects differed by compound and route of administration.