Comparison between meloxicam and carprofen for postoperative analgesia after feline ovariohysterectomy

Eighty female cats presented for ovariohysterectomy were randomly allocated to one of two treatment groups in this assessor-blinded trial. After pre-anaesthetic assessment, the cats were premedicated with acepromazine (0.1 mg/kg). Anaesthesia was induced with thiopentone and maintained with halothane in oxygen. Forty cats received carprofen (4 mg/kg subcutaneously) and 40 received meloxicam (0.3 mg/kg subcutaneously) after anaesthetic induction. Following routine flank ovariohysterectomy the cats were assessed using visual analogue scale scores for pain and sedation over a 20-hour study period. Blood samples were taken before sedation and at 20 hours for serum biochemistry (urea, creatinine, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase). There were no significant differences between the groups for pain and sedation scores. Serum biochemistry values were similar between the groups, with some differences within groups between the pre-sedation and 20-hour values. One cat in the carprofen group and two cats in the meloxicam group required rescue analgesia with intramuscular morphine (0.2 mg/kg).     

Comparison of carprofen and pethidine as postoperative analgesics in the cat

The postoperative analgesia and sedation in cats given carprofen (4·0 mg/kg bodyweight by subcutaneous injection preoperatively) was compared to that in cats given pethidine (3·3 mg/kg bodyweight by intramuscular injection postoperatively) in a controlled, randomised, blinded, multicentre clinical trial. Further dosing with the particular analgesic was allowed if a cat was exhibiting unacceptable pain. In total, 57 carprofen cases and 59 pethidine cases were evaluated. Significantly fewer cats in the carprofen group required additional doses of analgesic, and mean pain scores were significantly lower from four hours after ovariohysterectomy, and at 18 to 24 hours after castration, compared to the pethidine group. In conclusion, carprofen provided as good a level of postoperative analgesia as pethidine, but of a longer duration (at least 24 hours) and was well tolerated. It thus provides an option for 'pre-emptive analgesia' in cats about to undergo surgery.     

Behavioral alterations and severity of pain in cats recovering at home following elective ovariohysterectomy or castration

OBJECTIVE: To identify behavioral alterations in client-owned cats recovering at home following elective ovariohysterectomy or castration and determine owner perceptions regarding severity of postoperative pain. DESIGN: Cohort study. Animals-145 cats undergoing elective ovariohysterectomy (n = 80) or castration (65) at 4 veterinary clinics in Finland. PROCEDURES: Owners were asked to complete a questionnaire on their cats' behavior during the 3 days after surgery. Owners were also asked to indicate their perceptions of the severity of postoperative pain during these days by use of a 100-mm visual analog scale. RESULTS: Owners consistently indicated that there were changes in their cats' behavior, with the most commonly reported alterations being a decrease in overall activity level, an increase in the amount of time spent sleeping, a decrease in playfulness, and altered way of movement. Changes (ie, either an increase or decrease) in aggressive behavior were rare. Median pain score the day of surgery was 15.0 mm for male cats and 25.0 mm for female cats. Behavior score was significantly associated with day of observation, type of surgery (ovariohysterectomy vs castration), owner-assigned pain score, and veterinary clinic. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggested that behavioral alterations can be detected for several days after surgery in cats recovering at home following ovariohysterectomy or castration and emphasized owner concerns about the existence of postoperative pain.     

Comparison of the effects of buprenorphine,oxymorphone hydrochloride,and ketoprofen for postoperative analgesia after onychectomy or onychectomy and sterilization in cats

In this prospective, randomized, blinded study, 68 clinically healthy cats that had onychectomy (n = 20), onychectomy and castration (n = 20), or onychectomy and ovariohysterectomy (n = 28) were randomly assigned to one of four postoperative analgesic treatment groups: buprenorphine (0.01 mg/kg body weight, intramuscularly [IM]), oxymorphone hydrochloride (0.05 mg/kg body weight, IM), ketoprofen (2 mg/kg body weight, IM), and placebo (physiological saline). Sedation scores, visual analog pain scores, cumulative pain scores, serum cortisol concentration, and appetite were used to assess postoperative analgesic effect. Buprenorphine demonstrated the highest efficacy with the lowest cumulative pain scores and serum cortisol levels.     

Changes in cortisol concentration in response to stress and postoperative pain in client-owned cats and correlation with objective clinical variables

OBJECTIVE: To identify clinical variables that indicate postoperative pain in cats after ovariohysterectomy in a veterinary hospital setting. ANIMALS: 40 cats. PROCEDURE: Cats were anesthetized and ovariohysterectomized by senior veterinary students. Butorphanol (0.1 mg/kg [n = 20] or 0.3 mg/kg [20] of body weight) was administered IM after surgery. Blood samples were obtained before, during, and after the anesthetic period for measurements of PCV and blood glucose and cortisol concentrations. Clinical variables measured included heart rate, systolic blood pressure, respiratory rate, and rectal temperature. Data for these variables were compared with changes in cortisol concentrations and with similar data-which was used as historical control data-obtained from 20 cats in another study (10 that had been ovariohysterectomized but had not received butorphanol and 10 that had only been anesthetized). RESULTS: Surgical durations were longer in this study, and cats had higher cortisol concentrations, compared with historical control cats. Objective clinical variables did not consistently correlate with changes in cortisol concentration. CONCLUSIONS: Cortisol concentration increased in response to surgical stress and pain. This response was greater in cats in which duration of surgery was longer. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The objective clinical variables evaluated in this study were not consistent indicators of pain in an uncontrolled, clinical situation.     

Comparison of transdermal administration of fentanyl versus intramuscular administration of butorphanol for analgesia after onychectomy in cats

OBJECTIVE: To compare postoperative discomfort assessed by subjective pain score and plasma cortisol concentrations in cats undergoing onychectomy that received analgesia by use of transdermal fentanyl (TDF) patches or an i.m. injection of butorphanol. DESIGN: Randomized prospective clinical trial. ANIMALS: 22 client-owned cats weighing 2.2 to 5 kg (4.84 to 11 lb) undergoing onychectomy. PROCEDURE: Researchers were blinded to which cats received a TDF patch (25 microg/h) 18 to 24 hours prior to surgery or an i.m. injection of butorphanol (0.2 mg/kg (0.09 mg/lb]) at the time of sedation, immediately following extubation, and at 4-hour intervals thereafter for 12 hours. Clinical variables, plasma cortisol concentration, and pain scores were evaluated and recorded 24 hours prior to surgery, at extubation, and 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, 36, and 48 hours after surgery. RESULTS: The TDF group had a lower pain score than the butorphanol group only at 8 hours after surgery. Both groups had significantly lower mean plasma cortisol concentrations 0, 24, 36, and 48 hours after surgery, compared with mean plasma cortisol concentrations prior to surgery. No significant differences in appetite or response to handling the feet were observed between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Our data did not reveal a difference in pain relief between administration of TDF and butorphanol. Plasma cortisol concentrations were not different between groups. Fentanyl appeared to provide equivalent analgesia to butorphanol in cats undergoing onychectomy. The primary advantage of using a TDF patch is that repeated injections are not required.     

Epidural anesthesia with bupivacaine, bupivacaine and fentanyl, or bupivacaine and sufentanil during intravenous administration of propofol for ovariohysterectomy in dogs

OBJECTIVE: To compare cardiovascular and systemic effects and analgesia during the postoperative period of epidural anesthesia performed with bupivacaine alone or with fentanyl or sufentanil in bitches maintained at a light plane of anesthesia with continuous infusion of propofol. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective randomized masked clinical trial. ANIMALS: 30 female dogs of various breeds. PROCEDURES: Dogs were allocated into 3 groups of 10 each. One group received fentanyl (2 microg/kg [0.91 microg/lb]) and bupivacaine (1 mg/kg [0.45 mg/lb]), 1 group received sufentanil (1 microg/kg) and bupivacaine (1 mg/kg), and 1 group received bupivacaine (1 mg/kg). All dogs received acepromazine (0.1 mg/kg [0.045 mg/lb]) and continuous infusion of propofol for sedation. The agents were administered into the lumbosacral space and diluted in saline (0.9% NaCl) solution to a total volume of 0.36 mL/kg (0.164 mL/lb). Cardiac and respiratory rates, arterial blood pressures, pH, and blood gases were evaluated. Analgesia, sedation level, serum cortisol concentrations, and plasma catecholamine concentrations were measured regularly for 6 hours. RESULTS: No important changes in cardiovascular, respiratory, or sedation variables were observed. Degree of analgesia in the postoperative period was higher in the sufentanil group, although use of fentanyl and bupivacaine also resulted in a sufficient level of analgesia. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Use of the 3 anesthetic techniques permitted ovariohysterectomy with sufficient analgesia and acceptable neuroendocrine modulation of pain with minimal adverse effects.     

Evaluation of transdermal fentanyl patches for analgesia in cats undergoing onychectomy

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate efficacy and safety of using transdermal fentanyl patches (TFP) for analgesia in cats undergoing onychectomy. DESIGN: Randomized controlled clinical trial. ANIMALS: 45 client-owned cats weighing > or = 2.7 kg (5.9 lb) undergoing onychectomy, onychectomy and ovariohysterectomy, or onychectomy and castration. PROCEDURE: Cats were randomly assigned to be treated with a TFP (25 micrograms/h) or butorphanol; TFP were applied a minimum of 4 hours before surgery (approx 8 hours prior to extubation). Rectal temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, force applied by the forelimbs, and serum fentanyl concentration were measured, and temperament, recovery, degree of sedation, severity of pain, severity of lameness, and appetite were scored before and periodically for up to 40 hours after surgery. RESULTS: Cats treated with a TFP had better recovery scores at 2 of 4 evaluation times, lower sedation scores at 2 of 8 evaluation times, and lower pain scores at 6 of 8 evaluation times, compared with cats treated with butorphanol. Use of a pressure-sensitive mat to evaluate force applied by the forelimbs did not reveal any differences between groups but did reveal a significant difference between preoperative and postoperative values. Mean +/- SD serum fentanyl concentrations were 1.56 +/- 1.08, 4.85 +/- 2.38, 4.87 +/- 1.56, and 4.35 +/- 2.97 ng/ml approximately 8, 24, 32, and 48 hours, respectively, after TFP placement. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Results suggest that use of a TFP (25 micrograms/h) for postoperative analgesia in cats undergoing onychectomy with or without surgical sterilization is safe and effective.     

Comparison of oral and subcutaneous administration of buprenorphine and meloxicam for preemptive analgesia in cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of preoperative PO and SC administration of buprenorphine and meloxicam for prevention of postoperative pain-associated behaviors in cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy. DESIGN: Randomized controlled study. ANIMALS: 51 female cats (4 to 60 months old; weight range, 1.41 to 4.73 kg [3.1 to 10.4 lb]). PROCEDURE: Cats received 1 of 5 treatments at the time of anesthetic induction: buprenorphine PO (0.01 mg/kg [0.0045 mg/lb]; n = 10), buprenorphine SC (0.01 mg/kg; 10), meloxicam SC (0.3 mg/kg 10.14 mg/lb]; 10), meloxicam PO (0.3 mg/kg; 10), or 0.3 mL of sterile saline (0.9% NaCI) solution SC (control group; 11). Sedation scores and visual analog scale and interactive visual analog scale (IVAS) pain-associated behavior scores were assigned to each cat 2 hours before and at intervals until 20 hours after surgery. RESULTS: Cats receiving meloxicam PO or SC had significantly lower IVAS scores (2.91 and 2.02, respectively), compared with IVAS scores for cats receiving buprenorphine PO (755). Pain-associated behavior scores for cats administered buprenorphine or meloxicam PO or SC preoperatively did not differ significantly from control group scores. Rescue analgesia was not required by any of the cats receiving meloxicam, whereas 3 of 10 cats receiving buprenorphine PO, 2 of 10 cats receiving buprenorphine SC, and 1 of 11 cats receiving the control treatment required rescue analgesia. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: On the basis of pain-associated behavior scores, cats receiving meloxicam PO or SC before ovariohysterectomy appeared to have less pain after surgery than those receiving buprenorphine PO preoperatively.     

Assessment of the influence of surgical technique on postoperative pain and wound tenderness in cats following ovariohysterectomy

Elective ovariohysterectomy was performed on 66 cats. Surgical approach was flank (group F) or midline (group M) allocated by block randomisation. Pre-anaesthetic medication was acepromazine (0.1 mg/kg) via intramuscular injection. Anaesthesia was induced with intravenous thiopentone, and maintained with halothane in 100% oxygen. Carprofen (4 mg/kg) was administered by the subcutaneous route immediately after induction of anaesthesia. Postoperative pain and wound tenderness were assessed at 1, 3, 6, 9, 11-12 and 20-24h after the end of surgery, and the assessment outcome marked on visual analogue scales (VAS). Intervention analgesia (if pain VAS was >40 mm) was pethidine 4 mg/kg via intramuscular injection. Area under the curve (AUC) for VAS for pain and VAS for wound tenderness for each cat were calculated. AUC for wound tenderness was significantly greater for group F (P = 0.007). There was no significant difference for AUC for pain between the groups. In conclusion, wounds after flank ovariohysterectomy are significantly more tender than after midline ovariohysterectomy in the cat. This indicates that interactive methods, including wound palpation, must be used to assess postoperative pain and the findings should be appropriately weighted in the overall assessment.     

Evaluation of the clinical efficacy and safety of dexmedetomidine or medetomidine in cats and their reversal with atipamezole

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare the clinical effects of dexmedetomidine (DEX) and medetomidine (MED) in cats, and their reversal with atipamezole (ATI). Study design Prospective blinded randomized multi-centre clinical trial. Animals One hundred and twenty client-owned cats. METHODS: Cats were randomly allocated to receive a single intramuscular (IM) injection of either DEX (0.04 mg kg(-1), n = 62) or MED (0.08 mg kg(-1), n = 58) for minor procedures requiring sedation and analgesia. Afterwards, ATI (0.2 mg kg(-1)) was administered IM to half the cats, randomly assigned. Prior to, during and after the procedure the sedative, analgesic and cardiorespiratory effects and body temperature were assessed. RESULTS: Dexmedetomidine and MED produced clinically and statistically comparable effects. The intended procedure(s) could be performed in over 90% of cats. Sedation and analgesia were apparent within 5 minutes, peak effects were observed at approximately 30 minutes and spontaneous recovery occurred by 180 minutes of injection. Heart and respiratory rate and body temperature decreased significantly over time and had not returned to baseline values 180 minutes after administration. ATI administration completely reversed the sedative and analgesic effects, returned the heart rate to normal and prevented any further reductions in respiratory rate and body temperature in both DEX- and MED-treated cats. The reporting of adverse events was low and the most commonly observed event was vomiting (7%). No serious adverse events or concerns regarding safety were reported. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Dexmedetomidine (0.04 mg kg(-1)) produced comparable sedative and analgesic effects to MED (0.08 mg kg(-1)) in cats. DEX produced adequate sedation and analgesia for radiography, grooming, dental care and lancing of abscesses. ATI fully reversed the clinical effects of DEX.     

Analgesic effects of epidurally administered levogyral ketamine alone or in combination with morphine on intraoperative and postoperative pain in dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the analgesic and adverse effects of epidurally administered levogyral (S[+]) ketamine alone or in combination with morphine on intraoperative and postoperative pain in dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy. ANIMALS: 30 dogs scheduled for ovariohysterectomy. PROCEDURE: Dogs were randomly allocated to 1 of 3 groups. Dogs in group 1 received S(+) ketamine (1 mg/kg), dogs in group 2 received S(+) ketamine (0.5 mg/kg) and morphine (0.05 mg/kg), and dogs in group 3 received S(+) ketamine (1 mg/kg) and morphine (0.025 mg/kg). The skin was incised 15 minutes after epidural administration of analgesics. Heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), oxygen saturation as measured by pulse oximetry, and arterial blood gases were obtained before anesthesia, 15 minutes after epidural administration of analgesics, 15 and 30 minutes after initiation of surgery, and at the end of surgery. During the intraoperative period, an increase of > or =20% in baseline values for HR, RR, and SBP was considered a sign of intraoperative pain. Signs of pain and adverse effects were assessed at 2, 4, and 8 hours postoperatively. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in intraoperative or postoperative measurements among the 3 groups. No dogs had intraoperative signs of pain. Mean postoperative pain assessment scores were <3.5 in all 3 groups. Salivation was the most frequent adverse effect in dogs in groups 1 and 3, and sedation occurred more frequently in dogs in groups 2 and 3. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: All 3 analgesic regimens provided good respiratory and cardiovascular stability intraoperatively and adequate postoperative analgesia with minimal adverse effects.     

Correlation between serum concentrations following continuous intravenous infusion of dexmedetomidine or medetomidine in cats and their sedative and analgesic effects

Dexmedetomidine (DEX) may have some therapeutic advantages over the racemate medetomidine (MED). Here we have examined how serum concentrations of DEX correlate with some of its anaesthetic effects. Cats (n = 6) were administered with a continuous stepwise intravenous (i.v.) infusion of DEX or MED on different occasions in a cross-over design. Maintenance infusion rates (mg/kg/min) used were: DEX = 0.25 (MED = 0.50); DEX = 1 (MED = 2) and DEX = 4 (MED = 8) for infusion steps 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Each maintenance infusion lasted at least 50 min and was preceded with a loading dose. There was no significant difference between serum DEX and 0.5 serum MED concentrations at any dose level nor was there a significant difference between serum DEX and the (entire) serum MED concentrations. There was no significant difference between DEX and MED for sedation, analgesia, muscular relaxation and heart and respiratory rates. For both DEX and MED, serum drug concentration and analgesia were dose-dependent and sedation increased until the end of infusion step 2 (dose level 2) and decreased at the end of step 3 (dose level 3). Muscular relaxation was not dose-dependent. We conclude that increasing the blood concentration of DEX or MED beyond a certain level decreases the level of sedation instead of increasing it even though analgesia increases. The rate at which DEX and MED are metabolized in cats may not be the same.     

Comparison of three doses of dexmedetomidine with medetomidine in cats following intramuscular administration

Cats ( n  = 6) were administered dexmedetomidine (DEX) and medetomidine (MED) at three different dose levels in a randomized, blinded, cross-over study. DEX was administered at 25, 50 and 75 μg/kg (D25, D50 and D75), corresponding to MED 50, 100 and 150 μg/kg (M50, M100 and M150). Sedation, analgesia and muscular relaxation were scored subjectively. Heart and respiratory rates and rectal temperature were measured. Corresponding doses of DEX and MED were compared. Effects were also compared between dose levels for each compound. At dose level 2 (D50-M100), the duration of effective clinical sedation was significantly shorter after DEX (202.5±16.0 min) than after MED (230.0±41.2 min). Proceeding from D50-M100 to D75-M150, the duration of effective clinical sedation was increased more after DEX (by 57.5±38.4 min) than after MED (by 14.2±41.9 min) Increasing from D50-M100 to D75-M150, heart rate was further decreased after DEX (by 8.1±13.4%) but not after MED. There was no statistically significant difference between corresponding doses of DEX and MED for any of the other parameters studied. Changes in sedation, analgesia and muscular relaxation were dose-dependent. It was concluded that anaesthetic effects of medetomidine in cats are probably due entirely to its d-isomer and that dexmedetomidine at 25, 50 and 75 μg/kg induces dose-dependent sedation, analgesia and muscular relaxation of clinical significance in cats.     

Vedaprofen therapy in cats with upper respiratory tract infection or following ovariohysterectomy

OBJECTIVES: The antipyretic and analgesic efficacy of vedaprofen (at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg) was evaluated after repeated once-daily administration (for three or five days) to 80 cats with upper respiratory tract disease or 302 cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy. METHODS: Both clinical trials were randomised, double blinded and placebo controlled. RESULTS: In the upper respiratory tract disease trial, vedaprofen produced a significant reduction in rectal temperature when compared with cats administered antimicrobial treatment only. This antipyretic activity lasted at least four hours after administration on the first day of treatment (day 0) and at least eight hours on day 1 and day 2. Significantly more cats in the treatment group were classified as having returned to normal on day 5, day 6 and day 7 compared with the placebo group. In the ovariohysterectomy trial, scores for behaviour (on day 1, day 2 and day 3) and appetite (on day 1 and day 2) were significantly better in the vedaprofen group than in the placebo-treated cats. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Vedaprofen produced a clinically relevant reduction in body temperature and a more rapid return to normality in cats with upper respiratory tract disease. Vedaprofen treatment also resulted in more rapid recovery, presumably through the relief of pain and inflammation, in cats that had undergone soft tissue surgery.     

Effects of remifentanil infusion regimens on cardiovascular function and responses to noxious stimulation in propofol-anesthetized cats

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of 2 remifentanil infusion regimens on cardiovascular function and responses to nociceptive stimulation in propofol-anesthetized cats. ANIMALS: 8 adult cats. PROCEDURES: On 2 occasions, cats received acepromazine followed by propofol (6 mg/kg then 0.3 mg/kg/min, i.v.) and a constant rate infusion (CRI) of remifentanil (0.2 or 0.3 microg/kg/ min, i.v.) for 90 minutes and underwent mechanical ventilation (phase I). After recording physiologic variables, an electrical stimulus (50 V; 50 Hz; 10 milliseconds) was applied to a forelimb to assess motor responses to nociceptive stimulation. After an interval (> or = 10 days), the same cats were anesthetized via administration of acepromazine and a similar infusion regimen of propofol; the remifentanil infusion rate adjustments that were required to inhibit cardiovascular responses to ovariohysterectomy were recorded (phase II). RESULTS: In phase I, heart rate and arterial pressure did not differ between remifentanil-treated groups. From 30 to 90 minutes, cats receiving 0.3 microg of remifentanil/kg/min had no response to noxious stimulation. Purposeful movement was detected more frequently in cats receiving 0.2 microg of remifentanil/kg/min. In phase II, the highest dosage (mean +/- SEM) of remifentanil that prevented cardiovascular responses was 0.23 +/- 0.01 microg/kg/min. For all experiments, mean time from infusion cessation until standing ranged from 115 to 140 minutes. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Although the lower infusion rate of remifentanil allowed ovariohysterectomy to be performed, a CRI of 0.3 microg/kg/min was necessary to prevent motor response to electrical stimulation in propofol-anesthetized cats. Recovery from anesthesia was prolonged with this technique.     

Comparison of two pre-anaesthetic medetomidine doses in isoflurane anaesthetized sheep

OBJECTIVE: To compare the sedative, anaesthetic-sparing and arterial blood-gas effects of two medetomidine (MED) doses used as pre-anaesthetic medication in sheep undergoing experimental orthopaedic surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized, prospective, controlled experimental trial. ANIMALS: Twenty-four adult, non-pregnant, female sheep of various breeds, weighing 53.9 +/- 7.3 kg (mean +/- SD). METHODS: All animals underwent experimental tibial osteotomy. Group 0 (n = 8) received 0.9% NaCl, group L (low dose) (n = 8) received 5 microg kg(-1) MED and group H (high dose) (n = 8) received 10 microg kg(-1) MED by intramuscular (IM) injection 30 minutes before induction of anaesthesia with intravenous (IV) propofol 1% and maintenance with isoflurane delivered in oxygen. The propofol doses required for induction and endtidal isoflurane concentrations (F(E')ISO) required to maintain anaesthesia were recorded. Heart and respiratory rates and rectal temperature were determined before and 30 minutes after administration of the test substance. The degree of sedation before induction of anaesthesia was assessed using a numerical rating scale. Arterial blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, FE'ISO, end-tidal CO2 (FE'CO2) and inspired O2 (FIO2) concentration were recorded every 10 minutes during anaesthesia. Arterial blood gas values were determined 10 minutes after induction of anaesthesia and every 30 minutes thereafter. Changes over time and differences between groups were examined by analysis of variance (anova) for repeated measures followed by Bonferroni-adjusted t-tests for effects over time. RESULTS: Both MED doses produced mild sedation. The dose of propofol for induction of anaesthesia decreased in a dose-dependent manner: mean (+/-SE) values for group 0 were 4.7 (+/-0.4) mg kg(-1), for group L, 3.2 (+/-0.4) mg kg(-1) and for group H, 2.3 (+/-0.3) mg kg(-1)). The mean (+/-SE) FE'ISO required to maintain anaesthesia was 30% lower in both MED groups [group L: 0.96 (+/-0.07) %; group H: 1.06 (+/-0.09) %] compared with control group values [(1.54 +/- 0.17) %]. Heart rates were constantly higher in the control group with a tendency towards lower arterial blood pressures when compared with the MED groups. Respiratory rates and PaCO2 were similar in all groups while PaO2 increased during anaesthesia with no significant difference between groups. In group H, one animal developed a transient hypoxaemia: PaO2 was 7.4 kPa (55.7 mmHg) 40 minutes after induction of anaesthesia. Arterial pH values and bicarbonate concentrations were higher in the MED groups at all time points. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Intramuscular MED doses of 5 and 10 microg kg(-1) reduced the propofol and isoflurane requirements for induction and maintenance of anaesthesia respectively. Cardiovascular variables and blood gas measurements remained stable over the course of anaesthesia but hypoxaemia developed in one of 16 sheep receiving MED.     

The effect of different combinations of local anaesthesia,sedative and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on daily growth rates of dairy calves after disbudding

AIM: To assess the effect of sedation and local anaesthesia (LA) at disbudding, and the addition of meloxicam or ketoprofen treatment, on weight gain in dairy calves following disbudding.

METHODS: Friesian-Jersey cross calves, from four dairy farms, were enrolled when 3–6 weeks old. All calves (n=271) were disbudded by veterinary personnel and randomly assigned to six groups: 136 were disbudded without sedation or LA, of which 31 received 20 mg meloxicam S/C and 75 received 150 mg ketoprofen I/M. A further 135 were disbudded with sedation (0.25 mg/kg xylazine I/M) and LA, of which 30 also received meloxicam and 75 received ketoprofen. Calves were weighed 3 days before, and 15 and 30 days after, disbudding (Day 0). Daily weight gain was analysed using mixed models and ANOVA.

RESULTS: Complete results were obtained from 263 calves. From Day ?3 to Day 15, the growth rate of calves disbudded without pain relief (0.53 (95% CI=0.47–0.60) kg/day) was less that of calves disbudded with some form of pain relief (0.65 (95% CI=0.62–0.68) kg/d; p=0.004). There was no difference between the effect of meloxicam or ketoprofen (p=1.00). An interaction between use of sedation and LA and additional non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) meant that NSAID treatment did not increase growth rates in calves disbudded with sedation and LA but did increase growth rates for calves disbudded without pain relief (p<0.05). From Day 16 to Day 30 there was no effect of NSAID treatment on growth rate, but calves receiving LA and sedation grew faster (0.74 (95% CI=0.69–0.80) kg/day) than calves disbudded without LA and sedation (0.66 (95% CI=0.61–0.71) kg/day; p=0.018). From Day ?3 to Day 30, calves disbudded with sedation and LA grew faster (0.71 (95%CI=0.64–0.77) kg/day) than calves disbudded without sedation and LA (0.60 (95% CI=0.55–0.65) kg/day; p=0.011). However, addition of NSAID to sedation and LA made no further difference to growth rates (p=0.69).

CONCLUSIONS: Dairy calves disbudded with no pain relief had slower growth rates than calves receiving pain relief. From Day 15 to 30 calves given no pain relief, or NSAID alone, grew more slowly than those receiving sedation and LA at disbudding. The addition of NSAID treatment to sedation and LA did not further increase growth rates.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study adds to the evidence that pain management when disbudding is beneficial for calf productivity as well as calf welfare.