Comparison of ketoprofen and carprofen administered prior to orthopedic surgery for control of postoperative pain in dogs

摘要

46 dogs undergoing reconstruction of the cranial cruciate ligament, 47 undergoing femoral head and neck excision, and 15 control dogs anaesthetized for radiographic procedures were used to compare analgesic and adverse effects of ketoprofen and carprofen when used to control pain associated with elective orthopaedic surgeries. Dogs undergoing surgery were randomly given ketoprofen, carprofen or saline (0.9% NaCl) solution, s.c. before surgery. Pain score and serum cortisol concentration were recorded for 12 h after surgery for all dogs. When pain score was >=7, oxymorphone was administered i.m. Bleeding time was measured before and during surgery. The proportion of dogs that required oxymorphone was significantly higher for the carprofen and placebo groups than for the ketoprofen group. Pain score for the placebo group was significantly higher than for the ketoprofen and carprofen groups, 2, 8, and 9 h after surgery. Cortisol concentration was significantly higher for the placebo group than for the carprofen group 4 and 6 h after surgery. Significant differences were not detected between ketoprofen and carprofen groups with respect to pain score and cortisol concentration. Bleeding time was significantly longer for the ketoprofen group than for the other groups during surgery. One dog treated with ketoprofen developed a haematoma at the surgical site. It is concluded that ketoprofen and carprofen given before surgery were effective for post-operative pain relief in dogs. However, ketoprofen should not be used when non-compressible bleeding may be a problem.