Analgesic efficacy of preoperative administration of
meloxicam or butorphanol in onychectomized cats.
Authors
Carroll GL. Howe LB. Peterson KD.
Institution
Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery, College
of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College
Station, TX 77843-4474, USA.
Source
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 226(6):913-9, 2005 Mar 15.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine analgesic efficacy and adverse
effects of preemptive administration of meloxicam or
butorphanol in cats undergoing onychectomy or onychectomy
and neutering. DESIGN: Randomized controlled study. ANIMALS:
64 female and 74 male cats that were 4 to 192 months old and
weighed 1.09 to 705 kg (2.4 to 15.5 lb). PROCEDURE: Cats
received meloxicam (0.3 mg/kg [0.14 mg/lb], s.c.) or
butorphanol (0.4 mg/kg [0.18 mg/lb], s.c.) 15 minutes after
premedication and prior to anesthesia. A single blinded
observer measured physiologic variables, assigned analgesia
and lameness scores, and withdrew blood samples for each cat
at baseline and throughout the 24 hours after surgery.
Rescue analgesia (butorphanol, 0.4 mg/kg, i.v. or s.c.) or
administration of acepromazine (0.025 to 0.05 mg/kg [0.011
to 0.023 mg/lb], i.v.) was allowed. RESULTS:
Meloxicam-treated cats were less lame and had lower pain
scores. Cortisol concentration was higher at extubation and
lower at 1, 5, and 12 hours in the meloxicam-treated cats.
Fewer meloxicam-treated cats required rescue analgesia at 3,
5, 12, and 24 hours after extubation. General impression
scores were excellent or good in 75% of meloxicam-treated
cats and 44% of butorphanol-treated cats. There was no
treatment effect on buccal bleeding time; PCV and BUN
concentration decreased in both groups, and glucose
concentration decreased in meloxicam-treated cats.
CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Preoperative
administration of meloxicam improved analgesia for 24 hours
without clinically relevant adverse effects in cats that
underwent onychectomy or onychectomy and neutering and
provided safe, extended analgesia, compared with
butorphanol.
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