Effect of carprofen, etodolac, meloxicam, or butorphanol in dogs with induced acute synovitis

OBJECTIVE: To compare the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect of single doses of carprofen, etodolac, meloxicam, and butorphanol in dogs with induced acute synovitis (acute pain model) via kinetic gait analysis and orthopedic evaluation and examine measurement of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration as an indicator of treatment efficacy. ANIMALS: 12 Beagles and 6 additional Beagles that were used only in serum CRP analyses. PROCEDURE: Acute synovitis was induced in right stifle joints of dogs via intra-articular injection of monosodium urate solution. Treatments included butorphanol (0.2 mg/kg, i.v.), carprofen (4 mg/kg, PO), etodolac (17 mg/kg, PO), or meloxicam (0.2 mg/kg, PO); control dogs received no treatment. The procedure was repeated (3-week intervals) until all dogs received all treatments including control treatment. Lameness was assessed on a biomechanical force platform and via orthopedic evaluations of the stifle joints; blood was collected to monitor serum CRP concentration. RESULTS: Compared with control dogs, treated dogs had significantly different vertical ground reaction forces and weight-bearing scores. Greatest improvement in lameness was observed in carprofen-treated dogs. Etodolac had the fastest onset of action. Compared with butorphanol treatment, only carprofen and etodolac were associated with significantly lower pain scores. An increase in serum CRP concentration was detected after intra-articular injection in all dogs; this change was similar among groups. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Carprofen, etodolac, and meloxicam had greater efficacy than butorphanol in relief of acute pain. Carprofen was most effective overall. In this acute pain model, serum CRP analysis was not useful to assess drug efficacy.     

Long-term treatment with carprofen of 805 dogs with osteoarthritis

The pain-relieving effect of carprofen and tolerance to the drug were investigated in 805 dogs that were lame as a result of osteoarthritis. The dogs were of different breeds, ages and bodyweights and of both sexes, and were selected from 51 veterinary clinics. Each dog was treated orally by its owner with 4 mg/kg carprofen for 84 consecutive days. Twenty-four dogs were removed from the study because of side effects, and 55 left the study for reasons unrelated to the treatment. The condition of the dogs and the benefit of the treatment were evaluated by the veterinary surgeons and the owners after 14 days, and at the end of the period of treatment, when 194 of the dogs (26.7 per cent) were no longer lame, and 357 (49.2 per cent) had improved. The period for which the dogs had been lame before entering the study significantly (P<0.01) affected the results and the rate of improvement. Too much exercise during the 84 days of treatment caused some dogs to relapse.     

Systematic review of clinical trials of treatments for osteoarthritis in dogs

OBJECTIVE: To identify and critically evaluate the quality of evidence of the most commonly used pharmacologic, nutraceutical, and purported slow-acting drugs of osteoarthritis for the management of osteoarthritis in dogs by use of the FDA's evidence-based medicine scoring system. DESIGN: Systematic review. SAMPLE POPULATION: 16 clinical trials. PROCEDURES: A broad bibliographic search was performed prior to May 2006. Inclusion criteria focused on prospective trials evaluating commonly used medical treatment interventions for the management of osteoarthritis in dogs and published in peer-reviewed journals. The analysis consisted of the following: study design rating, quality factor rating, quantity rating, consistency rating, relevance to disease risk reduction rating, and cumulative strength of evidence ranking. RESULTS: 4 trials evaluating meloxicam were rated as type I. Three trials evaluating carprofen were rated as type I, and 2 trials were rated as type III. One trial evaluating each of the following agents was rated as type 1: etodolac; P54FP; polysulfated glycosaminoglycan; and a combination of chondroitin sulfate, glucosamine hydrochloride, and manganese ascorbate. Two trials evaluating pentosan polysulphate and 2 trails evaluating green-lipped mussels were rated as type I. One trial evaluating hyaluronan was rated as type III. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: A high level of comfort exists for meloxicam that the claimed relationship is scientifically valid and that its use is clinically efficacious for the treatment of osteoarthritis in dogs. A moderate level of comfort exists for carprofen; etodolac; pentosan polysulphate; green-lipped mussels; P54FP; polysulfated glycosaminoglycans; and a combination of chondroitin sulfate, glucosamine hydrochloride, and manganese ascorbate. An extremely low level of comfort exists for hyaluronan.     

Effects of oral administration of meloxicam,carprofen, and a nutraceutical on thyroid function in dogs with osteoarthritis

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of the administration of meloxicam; carprofen; and a slow-acting disease modifying osteoarthritis agent, that contains chondroitin sulfate, purified glucosamine, and manganese ascorbate (CS-G-M), on thyroid function in dogs. Forty-six healthy (except for osteoarthritis) euthyroid dogs were blindly assigned to 3 treatment groups: meloxicam, carprofen, and CS-G-M. Each group received the recommended dose of the drug for 60 days. Sixteen other osteoarthritic euthyroid dogs, which received a placebo, were used as a control group to validate the study. For all groups, blood samples were collected on days 0, 30, and 60 to evaluate the serum total and free thyroxine, and endogenous thyrotropin concentrations. There were no significant differences among the treatment groups at each time or within each group over a 60-day period for all parameters. Moreover, none of these values were within the hypothyroid range. Based on the results of this study, the administration of meloxicam, carprofen, and CS-G-M did not affect canine thyroid function evaluation.     

Changes in platelet function, hemostasis, and prostaglandin expression after treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with various cyclooxygenase selectivities in dogs

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs of various cyclooxygenase selectivities on hemostasis and prostaglandin expression in dogs. ANIMALS: 8 client-owned dogs with clinical signs of osteoarthritis. PROCEDURES: Dogs received aspirin (5 mg/kg, PO, q 12 h), carprofen (4 mg/kg, PO, q 24 h), deracoxib (2 mg/kg, PO, q 24 h), and meloxicam (0.1 mg/kg, PO, q 24 h) for 10 days each, with an interval of at least 14 days between treatments. On days 0 and 10, blood was collected for platelet aggregation assays, thrombelastography, and measurement of lipopolysaccharide-stimulated prostaglandin E(2), platelet thromboxane B(2) (TXB(2)), and free serum TXB(2) and 6-keto-prostaglandin F (PGF)-1alpha concentrations. RESULTS: Platelet aggregation decreased after treatment with aspirin and carprofen, whereas significant changes from baseline were not detected for the other drugs tested. Thrombelastograms obtained after treatment with carprofen revealed decreased maximum amplitude and alpha-angle, suggesting hypocoagulability. Maximum amplitude and coagulation index increased after treatment with deracoxib. Plasma concentrations of prostaglandin E(2) decreased after treatment with carprofen or deracoxib, and platelet TXB(2) production increased after treatment with aspirin. Serum concentrations of the prostacyclin metabolite 6-keto-PGF-1alpha did not change significantly after treatment with any of the drugs, although the ratio of free TXB(2) to 6-keto-PGF-1alpha decreased slightly after treatment with carprofen and increased slightly after treatment with deracoxib. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: At the dosages tested, treatment with meloxicam affected platelet function minimally in dogs with osteoarthritis. Treatment with carprofen decreased clot strength and platelet aggregation. Clot strength was increased after treatment with deracoxib.     

Effects of electrostimulated acupuncture on ground reaction forces and pain scores in dogs with chronic elbow joint arthritis

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether use of electrostimuluated acupuncture (ESA) would result in significant improvements in ground reaction forces and lameness scores in dogs with chronic elbow joint osteoarthritis secondary to elbow joint dysplasia. DESIGN: Randomized, controlled, crossover clinical trial. ANIMALS: 9 dogs with chronic forelimb lameness and radiographic evidence of elbow joint osteoarthritis. PROCEDURES: All dogs had a 3-week control acclimation period during which gait analysis was performed weekly. Dogs then received ESA once weekly for 3 weeks followed by a sham treatment once weekly for 3 weeks or received the sham treatment followed by ESA. Gait analysis was repeated prior to each treatment, and owners were asked to provide pain scores by use of a visual analog scale method. RESULTS: Treatment (control, acupuncture, or sham) did not have a significant effect on ground reaction forces for any limb. Owners of 8 of the 9 dogs were able to correctly guess the time period when ESA was delivered. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested that ESA did not have any significant effects on severity of lameness, as determined by measurement of ground reaction forces, or severity of pain, as determined by visual analog scale pain scores, in dogs with chronic elbow joint osteoarthritis secondary to elbow joint dysplasia.     

Comparison of Force Plate Gait Analysis and Owner Assessment of Pain Using the Canine Brief Pain Inventory in Dogs with Osteoarthritis

Background

Lameness assessment using force plate gait analysis (FPGA) and owner assessment of chronic pain using the Canine Brief Pain Inventory (CBPI) are valid and reliable methods of evaluating canine osteoarthritis. There are no studies comparing these 2 outcome measures.

Objective

Evaluate the relationship between CBPI pain severity (PS) and interference (PI) scores with the vertical forces of FPGA as efficacy measures in canine osteoarthritis.

Animals

Sixty‐eight client‐owned dogs with osteoarthritis (50 hind limb and 18 forelimb).

Methods

Double‐blind, randomized. Owners completed the CBPI, and dogs underwent FPGA on days 0 and 14. Dogs received carprofen or placebo on days 1 through 14. The change in PS and PI scores from day 0 to 14 were compared to the change in peak vertical force (PVF) and vertical impulse (VI).

Results

PS and PI scores significantly decreased in carprofen‐ compared with placebo‐treated dogs (P = .002 and P = .03, respectively). PVF and VI significantly increased in carprofen‐ compared with placebo‐treated dogs (P = .006 and P = .02, respectively). There was no correlation or concordance between the PS or PI score changes and change in PVF or VI.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

In these dogs with hind limb or forelimb osteoarthritis, owner assessment of chronic pain using the CBPI and assessment of lameness using FPGA detected significant improvement in dogs treated with carprofen. The lack of correlation or concordance between the change in owner scores and vertical forces suggests that owners were focused on behaviors other than lameness when making efficacy evaluations in their dogs.     

Effects of carprofen and meloxicam with or without butorphanol on the minimum alveolar concentration of sevoflurane in dogs

Sparing effects of carprofen and meloxicam with or without butorphanol on the minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of sevoflurane were determined in 6 dogs. Anesthesia was induced and maintained with sevoflurane in oxygen, and MAC was determined by use of a tail clamp method. The dogs were administered a subcutaneous injection of carprofen (4 mg/kg) or meloxicam (0.2 mg/kg), or no medication (control) one hour prior to induction of anesthesia. Following the initial determination of MAC, butorphanol (0.3 mg/kg) was administered intramuscularly, and MAC was determined again. The sevoflurane MACs for carprofen alone (2.10 +/- 0.26%) and meloxicam alone (2.06 +/- 0.20%) were significantly less than the control (2.39 +/- 0.26%). The sevoflurane MACs for the combination of carprofen with butorphanol (1.78 +/- 0.20%) and meloxicam with butorphanol (1.66 +/- 0.29%) were also significantly less than the control value after the administration of butorphanol (2.12 +/- 0.28%). The sevoflurane sparing effects of the combinations of carprofen with butorphanol and meloxicam with butorphanol were additive.     

Effect of meloxicam and carprofen on renal function when administered to healthy dogs prior to anesthesia and painful stimulation

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether administration of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs meloxicam or carprofen to healthy dogs that were subsequently anesthetized and subjected to painful electrical stimulation has adverse effects on renal function as measured by glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and evaluation of serum concentrations of urea and creatinine. ANIMALS: 6 male and 6 female healthy young-adult Beagles. PROCEDURE: A study was conducted in accordance with a randomized crossover Latin-square design. One of 3 treatments (saline [0.9% NaCl] solution, 0.2 mg of meloxicam/kg, or 4.0 mg of carprofen/kg) was administered i.v. 1 hour before anesthesia was induced by use of drugs in accordance with a standard anesthetic protocol (butorphanol tartrate and acepromazine maleate as preanesthetic medications, ketamine hydrochloride and diazepam for induction, and maintenance with isoflurane). Anesthetized dogs were subjected to intermittent electrical stimulation for 30 minutes. Direct, mean arterial blood pressure; heart rate; and respiratory rate were monitored. End-tidal isoflurane concentration was maintained at 1.5 times the minimum alveolar concentration. The GFR, as measured by plasma clearance of 99mTc-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, and serum concentrations of serum and creatinine were determined 24 hours after induction of anesthesia. RESULTS: Neither meloxicam nor carprofen significantly affected GFR or serum concentrations of urea and creatinine, compared with values for the saline treatment. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: When administered 1 hour before onset of anesthesia and painful electrical stimulation, meloxicam or carprofen did not cause clinically important alterations of renal function in young healthy dogs.     

Clinical evaluation of firocoxib and carprofen for the treatment of dogs with osteoarthritis

A double-blind, randomised, controlled, multicentre field study was conducted to compare the safety and efficacy of firocoxib chewable tablets and carprofen tablets in 218 dogs with osteoarthritis. Firocoxib is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug with more than 350-fold selectivity in dogs for the inducible isoform of the enzyme cyclo-oxygenase-2. The efficacy, tolerance and ease of administration of firocoxib (5 mg/kg/day) and carprofen (4 mg/kg/day) were assessed by the owners and the attending veterinarians during 30 days of treatment. The efficacy was assessed in terms of the dogs' overall scores at the end of the treatment, based on the veterinarians' assessment of lameness, pain on manipulation/palpation, range of motion, and joint swelling; 92.5 per cent of the dogs treated with firocoxib and 92.4 per cent of the dogs treated with carprofen had improved. The reduction in lameness in the dogs treated with firocoxib was significantly greater than in the dogs treated with carprofen. The owners' evaluations were that 96.2 per cent of the dogs treated with firocoxib and 92.4 per cent of the dogs treated with carprofen had improved, and this difference was statistically significant.     

Evaluation of client-specific outcome measures and activity monitoring to measure pain relief in cats with osteoarthritis

BACKGROUND: There are no validated systems for measuring pain from osteoarthritis in cats. HYPOTHESIS: Owner subjective assessments and an activity monitor (AM) can be used to detect pain in cats with osteoarthritis and to assess efficacy of treatments. ANIMALS: Thirteen cats older than 10 years old, with owner-assessed decreases in activity, painful arthritic joints, and clinically normal blood work were included and evaluated for 3 weeks. METHODS: A collar-mounted AM measured activity and a client-specific outcome measure (CSOM) questionnaire characterized the severity of impairment. Overall global quality of life was also evaluated for each treatment. In weeks 2 and 3, meloxicam (0.1 mg/kg, day 1; 0.05 mg/kg, days 2-5) or a placebo was administered in a blinded, randomized, cross-over manner to test the assessment systems. RESULTS: The cats had a median of 4 arthritic appendicular joints. Activity counts for the week when cats (complete data on activity; n=9) were administered meloxicam were significantly higher than at baseline (P = .02) but not after placebo (P = .06). Baseline activity counts were not significantly different from placebo (P = .6). The CSOM data (n=13) showed that owners considered their cats to be more active on meloxicam compared with baseline (P = .001) and placebo (P < .004), and more active on placebo than at baseline (P < .01). Global quality of life improved significantly with meloxicam (P < .042). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Both an AM and a CSOM system can detect behavior associated with pain relief in cats that are arthritic. Objective activity data might allow subjective assessment systems to be validated for use in clinical studies.     

Evaluation of adverse effects of long-term oral administration of carprofen, etodolac, flunixin meglumine, ketoprofen, and meloxicam in dogs

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate adverse effects of long-term oral administration of carprofen, etodolac, flunixin meglumine, ketoprofen, and meloxicam in dogs. ANIMALS: 36 adult dogs. PROCEDURES: Values for CBC, urinalysis, serum biochemical urinalyses, and occult blood in feces were investigated before and 7, 30, 60, and 90 days after daily oral administration (n = 6 dogs/group) of lactose (1 mg/kg, control treatment), etodolac (15 mg/kg), meloxicam (0.1 mg/kg), carprofen (4 mg/kg), and ketoprofen (2 mg/kg for 4 days, followed by 1 mg/kg daily thereafter) or flunixin (1 mg/kg for 3 days, with 4-day intervals). Gastroscopy was performed before and after the end of treatment. RESULTS: For serum gamma-glutamyltransferase activity, values were significantly increased at day 30 in dogs treated with lactose, etodolac, and meloxicam within groups. Bleeding time was significantly increased in dogs treated with carprofen at 30 and 90 days, compared with baseline. At 7 days, bleeding time was significantly longer in dogs treated with meloxicam, ketoprofen, and flunixin, compared with control dogs. Clotting time increased significantly in all groups except those treated with etodolac. At day 90, clotting time was significantly shorter in flunixin-treated dogs, compared with lactose-treated dogs. Gastric lesions were detected in all dogs treated with etodolac, ketoprofen, and flunixin, and 1 of 6 treated with carprofen. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Carprofen induced the lowest frequency of gastrointestinal adverse effects, followed by meloxicam. Monitoring for adverse effects should be considered when nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used to treat dogs with chronic pain.     

Comparison of carprofen and meloxicam for 72 hours following ovariohysterectomy in dogs

OBJECTIVE: To compare the peri- and post-operative (72 hours) analgesic effects of injectable and orally administered carprofen and meloxicam for ovariohysterectomy in dogs. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, randomized clinical study. ANIMALS: Forty-three dogs undergoing elective ovariohysterectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Dogs were randomly assigned to receive pre-operative carprofen, meloxicam or sterile saline by subcutaneous injection. Pre-anaesthetic medication was intramuscular acepromazine (0.02 mg kg(-1)) and methadone (0.2 mg kg(-1)). Anaesthesia was induced with either thiopentone or propofol injected to effect, and maintained with isoflurane in oxygen. Visual analogue scores (VAS) for pain and sedation were recorded at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 hours following tracheal extubation. Oral medication with the same treatment was continued post-operatively for 3 days, with VAS scores for pain being recorded before, and 2 hours after treatment on each day. Differences between group age, body mass, duration of general anaesthesia, time from treatment injection to tracheal extubation and time from treatment injection to first oral treatment were analysed using one-way analysis of variance and Kruskal-Wallis test. Visual analogue scores for pain and sedation were analysed using a re-randomization method. The significance level was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: Meloxicam-treated subjects had lower mean VAS than the control group at 2 and 6 hours following tracheal extubation. Control group VAS were more varied than meloxicam scores (at 6 hours) and carprofen scores (at 3 and 6 hours). On the first post-operative day, pre- to post-treatment VAS scores decreased significantly after meloxicam. On day 3, scores in the meloxicam-treated group were significantly lower than control values after treatment. Changes in pre- to post-treatment VAS were greater in animals receiving either meloxicam or carprofen compared with those given saline. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Both carprofen and meloxicam provided satisfactory analgesia for 72 hours following ovariohysterectomy in dogs.     

Robenacoxib vs. carprofen for the treatment of canine osteoarthritis; a randomized, noninferiority clinical trial

Robenacoxib is a member of the coxib class of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), with high selectivity for the cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 isoform of COX. In this study, the efficacy and tolerability of robenacoxib were compared with those of carprofen in canine osteoarthritis in a multi-centre, prospective, randomized, blinded, positive-controlled noninferiority clinical trial. Both drugs were administered orally once daily at recommended dosages: robenacoxib at 1-2 mg/kg (n = 125 dogs) and racemic carprofen at 2-4 mg/kg (n = 63 dogs) for a total of 12 weeks. The efficacy of the test compounds was assessed by veterinary investigators and owners using numerical rating scales at baseline and days 7, 14, 28, 56 and 84. In both groups, all scores were significantly (P < 0.0001) improved compared with baseline at all time points (days 7-84). Robenacoxib had noninferior efficacy to carprofen for the primary endpoint, the global functional disability, both for all dogs and for the subgroup of dogs in which robenacoxib was not administered during meals. Noninferiority was also demonstrated for three of six veterinary investigator secondary endpoints and four of six owner efficacy endpoints. For haematology and clinical chemistry variables, there were some significant differences from baseline levels but no differences between groups. There were no differences between groups in the frequencies of adverse events, which were reported in 46% dogs with robenacoxib and 52% with carprofen (P = 0.44), which were most frequently mild events affecting the gastrointestinal tract. In conclusion, noninferior efficacy and tolerability of robenacoxib compared with carprofen was demonstrated in dogs with osteoarthritis.     

Effects of postoperative administration of ketoprofen or carprofen on short- and long-term results of femoral head and neck excision in dogs

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether postoperative administration of ketoprofen or carprofen had any effects on short- or long-term results of femoral head and neck excision (FHNE) in dogs. DESIGN: Prospective randomized controlled trial. ANIMALS: 40 client-owned, large-breed dogs undergoing FHNE and 15 healthy large-breed dogs used as controls for hip joint angle measurements and force plate analyses. PROCEDURE: Dogs undergoing FHNE were treated with ketoprofen, carprofen, or a placebo for 21 days after surgery. Hip joint abduction and extension angles were measured at the end of surgery and 120 days later. Lameness scores were assigned, and force plate analyses were performed on days 3, 15, and 120. RESULTS: There were no significant differences among treatment groups in regard to hip joint angles or lameness scores. Force plate analysis revealed that dogs in all 3 treatment groups bore consistently less weight on the operated limb than did control dogs for the duration of the study. Dogs receiving ketoprofen had greater peak propulsive force at a walk on day 3 and greater peak vertical force at a walk on day 15 than did dogs receiving the placebo. Treatment of an acute condition and preservation of the lesser trochanter, but not postoperative analgesic administration, were positively associated with ground reaction forces on day 120. Owners of 12 of 31 dogs indicated that the dog's gait worsened for a few days after discontinuation of analgesic administration. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Administration of ketoprofen or carprofen after surgery was not associated with long-term results of FHNE, probably because of the impact of other factors. Because some owners noticed worsening of the lameness following cessation of analgesic administration in the present study, it is possible that longer administration would have improved long-term results.     

Firocoxib efficacy preventing urate-induced synovitis, pain, and inflammation in dogs

This positive-control study evaluated the efficacy of firocoxib versus carprofen, deracoxib, and meloxicam for the prevention of pain and inflammation in a urate crystal synovitis model of lameness. Lameness scoring and force plate gait analysis were used to assess efficacy. The resulting lameness scores and force plate ground reaction forces after urate crystal injection were not significantly different among the groups. Relative to each group's baseline (nonlame) score, only the firocoxib group was not significantly lame, based on lameness score, at the model's peak effect.     

Multicenter randomized prospective clinical evaluation of meloxicam administered via transmucosal oral spray in client‐owned dogs

The clinical safety and efficacy of a transmucosal oral spray (TMOS) formulation of meloxicam was evaluated for the control of pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis in dogs. A total of 280 client‐owned dogs were enrolled at fourteen veterinary clinics: there were 187 dogs in the meloxicam TMOS group and 93 in the placebo control group. Dogs received placebo or treatment spray once daily for twenty‐eight days. Improvement in signs of osteoarthritis was measured using client‐specific outcome measures (CSOM) made at days 14 and 28 and veterinary assessments of lameness and pain on palpation made at day 28. A significantly higher number of dogs in the meloxicam TMOS group were treatment successes at 28 days (72.6%) compared with the placebo group (46.9%), based on CSOM scores. Total CSOM scores were significantly lower in the meloxicam TMOS‐treated group compared with the placebo group at both 14 and 28 days. Differences between treatment groups were not observed in veterinary assessments. Gastrointestinal effects of meloxicam were observed in some animals. Meloxicam TMOS was found to be safe and effective in dogs for the control of pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis.     

Effectiveness of the homeopathic preparation Zeel compared with carprofen in dogs with osteoarthritis

The authors compared the symptomatic effectiveness of a complex homeopathic preparation Zeel (1-3 tablets orally per day depending on body weight) to carprofen (4 mg/kg body weight) in dogs (n=68) aged >1 yr diagnosed with osteoarthritis in a multicenter, prospective, observational open-label cohort study in 12 German veterinary clinics. The active treatment period was 56 days. Symptomatic effectiveness, lameness, stiffness of movements, and pain on palpation were evaluated by treating veterinarians and owners. Clinical signs of osteoarthritis improved significantly (P<0.05) at all time points (days 1, 28, and 56) with both therapies. At the end of the treatment period, effectiveness was comparable in both groups. Both treatment regimens were well tolerated with only three treatment-related adverse events, all in the carprofen group.     

Acute effects of carprofen and meloxicam on canine gastrointestinal permeability and mucosal absorptive capacity

BACKGROUND: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are frequently prescribed to dogs for their analgesic, antipyretic, and anti-inflammatory properties. Their beneficial actions can be offset by gastrointestinal (GI) toxicosis. Endoscopy has traditionally been employed to detect GI lesions, but alterations in GI permeability precede the development of mucosal damage. HYPOTHESIS: Carprofen and meloxicam alter GI permeability and mucosal absorptive capacity of dogs. ANIMALS: Twenty adult dogs treated with an NSAID for >7 days were evaluated by permeability tests while receiving either carprofen (10 dogs) or meloxicam (10 dogs). METHODS: Prospective, longitudinal observational study. A 6-sugar permeability test (sucrose, lactulose, rhamnose, 3-O-methyl-D-glucose, D-xylose, and sucralose) was performed on the day before NSAID treatment, and after 3 and 8 days of treatment. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the urinary recovery ratios of lactulose: rhamnose, D-xylose: 3-O-methyl-D-glucose, or sucralose recovery within either group at any time during the study. Sucrose permeability in the meloxicam group did not alter significantly over time. However, sucrose permeability in the carprofen group decreased significantly by day 3 (P = .049) and increased again by day 8 (P = .049), to a level that was not significantly different to permeability before treatment (P = .695). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: The absence of increased GI permeability and diminished mucosal absorptive capacity in this group of dogs does not support the development of acute GI toxicosis during treatment with either meloxicam or carprofen.     

Evaluation of adverse effects of long-term orally administered carprofen in dogs

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the adverse effects of carprofen in dogs after oral administration for 2 months. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial. ANIMALS: 22 dogs with osteoarthritis in the hip or elbow joint. PROCEDURE: 13 dogs received orally administered carprofen daily for 2 months, and 9 dogs received a placebo for 2 months. Dogs were weighed, and serum and urine samples were collected before initiation of treatment and 4 and 8 weeks after initiation of treatment. Serum concentrations of total protein, albumin, urea, and creatinine and serum activities of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were measured. Urinary ALP-to-creatinine, gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT)-to-creatinine, and protein-to-creatinine ratios were calculated. Dogs were observed by owners for adverse effects. RESULTS: Serum protein and albumin concentrations were lower in treated dogs than in those that received placebo at 4 weeks, but not at 8 weeks. No changes were observed in serum urea or creatinine concentrations; ALP or ALT activity; or urinary ALP-to-creatinine, GGT-to-creatinine, or protein-to-creatinine ratios. Dogs' weights did not change. Severity of vomiting, diarrhea, and skin reactions did not differ between groups, but appetite was better in dogs receiving carprofen than in dogs in the placebo group. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: It is possible that the transient decreases in serum protein and albumin concentrations in dogs that received carprofen were caused by altered mucosal permeability of the gastrointestinal tract because no indications of renal or hepatic toxicity were observed. Carprofen appeared to be well tolerated by dogs after 2 months of administration.