Acupuncture in Zoological Companion Animals.

Over the past years, the concept of pain management in veterinary medicine has evolved and led to the establishment of a new concept of multimodal approach to pain management, as the current standard of care. The use of multimodal analgesia combining pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic techniques not only helps optimize the quality and efficacy of analgesia but also may prevent the development of chronic or persistent pain. During the past decade, acupuncture has become more popular and evolved into one of the most used forms of integrative medicine interventions and nonpharmacologic therapeutic options for pain management in humans and animals in North America and Europe. There is ample evidence from basic and clinical research for acupuncture is effective in the treatment of acute and chronic pain by influencing neural networks of the nervous system. While in the modern days' veterinary acupuncture has been predominantly used in horses and dogs, its popularity in zoologic companion animals (ZCA) has increased in recent years as an adjunct therapy for treating musculoskeletal, neurologic, and gastrointestinal disorders due to its minimal invasiveness and low risk of adverse events. The integrative use of acupuncture has become even more important with the increasingly limited use of opiates in veterinary medicine due to the opiate crisis. The purpose of this article aims to provide guidance for using acupuncture for pain management in ZCA in clinical practice, based on available information and recommendations from experienced veterinary acupuncturists.

Effects of Lidocaine Injection at Acupuncture Points on Perioperative Analgesia in Cats Undergoing Ovariohysterectomy.

Background: Pharmacopuncture is an acupuncture-related technique that has been used to amplify the therapeutic effects of different medications. Objectives: To investigate the analgesic efficacy of a lidocaine injection at acupoints in cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy. Methods: Thirty cats were randomly distributed into two groups (n = 15, per group). The experimental group received a bilateral administration of lidocaine at the following acupoints: Stomach 36 (ST-36) and Spleen 6 (SP-6) (Lido group). The control group did not receive lidocaine (Control group). All cats were sedated with dexmedetomidine and anesthesia was induced with propofol and maintained with isoflurane. Intraoperatively, fentanyl was given to control cardiovascular responses to surgical stimulation. Postoperative pain was assessed at various time points, up to 24 hours after extubation, using the UNESP-Botucatu multidimensional composite pain scale (MCPS) and Glasgow feline composite measure pain scale (CMPS-Feline). Sedation scores were measured at the same time points. Morphine/meloxicam was administered as rescue analgesia. Data were analyzed using t-tests, Fisher´s exact test, the Mann-Whitney test, and the Friedman test (p < 0.05). Results: Intraoperatively, more cats in the Control group required analgesic supplementation than those in the Lido group, but the difference was not significant (p = 0.65). Postoperative pain, sedation scores, and analgesic requirements did not differ between groups. Rescue analgesia was given to 67% (10/15) of the cats in each group. Conclusion: The administration of lidocaine at ST-36 and SP-6 acupuncture points did not provide significant perioperative analgesic benefits in healthy cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy.

Standing Sedation and Iocoregional Analgesia in Equine Dental Surgery.

Procedural sedation has become popular for describing a semiconscious state that allows patients to be comfortable during certain surgical or diagnostic procedures. Sedation may be enhanced by locoregional anesthetic techniques to produce sufficient analgesia and muscle relaxation for surgery to occur. Sedation and local anesthesia for standing diagnostic and surgical procedures on the horse's head circumvents the potential complications of general anesthesia (particularly, complications related to recovery). However, the implementation of a locoregional anesthetic technique requires a thorough understanding of the anatomy to maximize success and minimize possible complications.

Use of acupuncture as adjuvant analgesic technique in dogs undergoing thoracolumbar hemilaminectomy.

The aim of this study was to investigate the analgesic efficacy of a preoperative acupuncture treatment in 24 client-owned dogs undergoing thoracolumbar hemilaminectomy. Dogs were randomly assigned to either group A (Acupuncture) or group C (Control). Before skin incision, group A was treated with acupuncture, performed under general anaesthesia for 30 min. Rescue intraoperative fentanyl was administered following a 20% increase in cardiovascular parameters compared to baseline values, measured before incision. An observer masked to the treatment assessed pain, pre- and postoperatively, with the Glasgow (GCPS), the Colorado (CPS) pain scales and a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS); additionally, the mechanical thresholds (MT) were measured with the Electronic von Frey Anaesthesiometer (EVF) at four points located near the herniated disc. The groups were compared with respect to intraoperative cardiovascular and respiratory variables, rescue fentanyl administered in total and at different surgical events (first incision [FI], drilling [DR], disc removal [RE] and skin suturing [ST]), and pre- and postoperative pain scores and MT. Group A received less fentanyl than group C (P = 0.014); this difference was significant at FI P = 0.035) and RE (P = 0.004). The improvement in postoperative CPS score (P = 0.013), VAS score (P = 0.003) and MT (P = 0.001) compared to preoperative values was greater for group A than for group C, whereas the treatment assignment had no effect on postoperative changes in GCPS compared to baseline. Pre-operative acupuncture may help improving perioperative analgesia in dogs with intervertebral disc herniation undergoing thoracolumbar hemilaminectomy.

Randomized control trial assessing the efficacy of pain control strategies for caustic paste disbudding in dairy calves younger than 9 days of age.

Disbudding is a common procedure practiced in the dairy industry and is known to cause pain when performed without pain control. Dairy producers who disbud calves with caustic paste are less likely to provide pain control than those using cautery. Little research has been conducted on pain control for caustic paste disbudding and no studies have specifically examined calves under 9 d of age. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of local anesthesia and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug analgesia on indicators of pain and inflammation in dairy calves disbudded using caustic paste. One hundred forty Holstein heifer calves 1 to 9 d of age were enrolled in 28 blocks and randomly allocated to 1 of 5 treatments: sham control (SH); positive control (POS); lidocaine cornual nerve block (LC); meloxicam (MEL); and lidocaine cornual nerve block plus meloxicam (LCM). We measured outcomes including serum cortisol and haptoglobin, pressure sensitivity, and lying behavior. Data were analyzed using mixed linear regression models with treatment as a fixed effect, baseline values as a covariate, and trial block as a random effect. Compared with the POS group, the LCM group had reduced serum cortisol at 15, 30, 45, and 60 min post-disbudding; cortisol values were not different between LC, LCM, and SH calves at these time points. At 60, 90, 120, and 180 min post-disbudding, LCM calves had reduced cortisol compared with LC calves, whereas, values did not differ between LCM and SH calves at these time points. At 3 to 4 d post-disbudding, the LCM group tended to have reduced haptoglobin, but no differences were found between groups at 180 min and 7 d post-disbudding. At 60, 90, and 120 min post-disbudding, LC and LCM treated calves had decreased pressure sensitivity compared with other groups. No differences were seen in pressure sensitivity between groups at 180 min, 3 to 4 or 7 d post-disbudding. No differences in lying behavior were found between treatment groups on any of the 7 d following disbudding. These findings demonstrate that the combination of a local anesthetic with a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug is beneficial for reducing indicators of pain and inflammation in young calves disbudded with caustic paste.

Pharmacopuncture Analgesia Using Flunixin Meglumine Injection into the Acupoint GV1 (Ho Hai) After Elective Castration in Horses.

The study evaluated the effect of a 1/10 dose of flunixin meglumine administered into the governing vessel 1 (GV1) acupoint in horses that underwent castration. Twenty animals received 0.02 mg/kg detomidine intravenously, followed by 2.2 mg/kg ketamine and 0.1 mg/kg diazepam by the same route, and also a local anesthesia with 30 mL lidocaine. As postoperative analgesia, the animals received 1.1 mg/kg flunixin meglumine IV (FIV) or 0.11 mg/kg flunixin meglumine into the GV1 acupoint (FGV). Behavioral parameters were assessed 12 hours before the procedure (baseline) and at 4, 6, 12, and 24 hours after surgery; physiological parameters were measured at baseline and at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, and 24 hours after surgery. The groups did not differ regarding pain scores. Heart rate was higher in the FIV group than in the FGV group 2 hours after surgery (46 ± 5.2 bpm vs. 37 ± 8.2 bpm); gut sounds decreased at 2, 4, and 6 hours in both groups. The temperature showed a decrease after 2 hours compared with baseline in the FGV group, and the systolic blood pressure was higher in the FGV group than in the FIV group at 8 hours (158 ± 18.1 mmHg vs. 134 ± 14.5 mmHg), 10 hours (157 ± 15.5 mm Hg vs. 130 ± 11.5 mmHg), and 12 hours (151 ± 18.7 mmHg vs. 134 ± 15.8 mmHg). Pharmacopuncture was as effective as conventional dose and route of flunixin meglumine in horses that underwent elective castration under those conditions.

Clinical Management of Avian Renal Disease.

Treatment of avian renal disease relies on supportive care, such as fluid therapy and nutritional support. Analgesia and adaptations of the environment are indicated in cases of renal disease associated with painful joints. Other treatments vary with the underlying etiology and may include systemic antibiotics, antifungal therapy, vitamin A supplementation, or chelation therapy.

Benefits of a multimodal analgesia compared to local anesthesia alone to alleviate pain following castration in sheep: a multiparametric approach.

Castration of male ruminants is a common livestock management practice, but induces pain. However, little is known about the effectiveness of multimodal analgesia compared to local anesthesia (LA) alone in reducing pain associated with burdizzo castration in sheep. This study aimed to monitor the pain response induced by castration in sheep and to assess the efficacy of analgesia strategies. Twenty-four 12-month-old male Texel sheep were burdizzo-castrated after administration of physiological serum (Burd), local anesthetic (Burd+LA) or LA plus non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (Burd+LA+NSAID). Sheep responses were monitored using behavioral and physiological indices of pain. Sampling occurred from 24 h pre-castration to 78 h post-castration, split into four periods based on the duration of analgesia: P0 (T-24 to T-1 h), P1 (T0 to T+2 h), P2 (T+3 to T+32 h) and P3 (T+36 to T+78 h). Behavioral indices were attention and head position, ear position, position of the eyelid, other facial expression, standing/lying postures, postures of the legs, clinical signs and abnormal activities. Physiological indices consisted in indicators of inflammation (haptoglobin, serum amyloid A (SAA), body temperature), hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis (cortisol, non-esterified fatty acids, glucose), autonomous nervous system (heart rate variability (HRV)) and oxidative stress. The variables contributing most to discrimination of the period×treatment groups were analyzed by factorial discrimination analysis. Pre-castration (P0), there was no significant difference between treatments for all indicators (P > 0.05). Post-castration, eight indicators varied significantly according to period and treatment: cortisol, clinical signs, ratio of low frequency/high frequency (LF/HF) bands of the HRV, attention and head position, SAA, haptoglobin, body temperature and glucose. The treatment×periods groups were well discriminated by the 23 indicators. Burd in P0, Burd+LA in P0 and Burd+LA+NSAID in P0, P1 and P2 had low values for all indicators, likely reflecting absence of pain and discomfort. Burd in P1 and P2 and Burd+LA in P2 showed clinical signs and reduced attention, high LF/HF and high cortisol levels, reflecting acute pain. Burd and Burd+LA in P3 had high temperature, high haptoglobin, high glucose and high SAA, but no response from other pathways. These results suggest that (i) behavioral signs of pain were apparent up to 32 h post-castration, (ii) LA was partially effective, but only during its time of action (2 h) and (iii). multimodal analgesia (LA and NSAID) was effective for up to 3 days post-castration. These findings, and especially those related to sheep behavior, can help veterinarians and farmers better detect pain and refine their pain alleviation methods.

A new method of administering local anesthesia for calf disbudding: Findings from a comparative on-farm study in New Zealand.

Anesthesia of the horn bud for calf disbudding commonly is attained by injection of local anesthetic over branches of the cornual nerve, with anesthesia achieved in 3 to 20 min. With experienced and trained staff, this method is effective in 88 to 100% of calves. Variability in response and time of onset can compromise calf welfare if calves are disbudded before anesthesia is attained. Proposed legislative reliance on effective local anesthetic as the minimal method of pain relief for calves at disbudding means that administration of local anesthetic must achieve a repeatable level and rapid onset of analgesia. We describe an alternative method of local anesthesia administration that uses local site infiltration of anesthetic over the horn bud. However, this method has not yet been scientifically validated. This study assessed differences between disbudding using the cornual nerve block and disbudding with local anesthesia administered by local site infiltration. Efficacy of local anesthesia was assessed at 30-s intervals after administration by absence of reaction to 3 consecutive needle pricks over the horn buds. Behavior indicating pain was assessed during disbudding and scored from 0 to 3. Calf behavior was also recorded for 3 h after disbudding. Accelerometer data loggers were fitted to each calf for 24 h before and after disbudding to assess lying and standing times. Median time to cutaneous desensitization for local infiltration was 60 s compared with 225 s for cornual nerve block, and the variance in time to desensitization was less with local infiltration. Calves disbudded under cornual block had a larger behavioral response (indicated by a graded aversive body reaction) than calves disbudded under local infiltration. A multivariable model predicted that the mean body reaction score would be 0.6 for calves disbudded under local infiltration and 1.2 for calves disbudded under cornual block. There was no difference in any behaviors between the treatment groups in the 3 h after disbudding. Method of analgesia had no effect on lying time over the 24 h after disbudding. In this study, local infiltration was at least as effective in providing analgesia for disbudding as the cornual nerve block. Our results suggest that a more consistent, effective level of analgesia during disbudding was achieved using local infiltration and that there was no difference in postoperative expressions of pain.

Basil, tea tree and clove essential oils as analgesics and anaesthetics in Amphiprion clarkii (Bennett, 1830) / Óleos essenciais de manjericão, melaleuca e cravo como anestésicos e analgésicos em Amphiprion clarkii (Bennett, 1830)

Abstract In this study were evaluated the anaesthesia and analgesic effects of clove Eugenia caryophyllata, tea tree Melaleuca alternifolia and basil Ocimum basilicum essential oils (EO) during handling of yellowtail clownfish Amphiprion clarkii. Juveniles (3.70 ± 0.75 cm and 1.03 ± 0.50 g; mean ± standard deviation) were submitted to concentrations of 40, 50, 60, 70 and 80 µl L-1 of clove, 150, 200, 250, 300 and 350 µl L-1 of basil and 200, 300, 400, 500 and 600 µl L-1 of tea tree oils (n=10/concentration), previously defined in pilot tests. Individually and only once, fish from each treatment were placed in a glass recipient containing 1 L of seawater at a temperature of 25 °C, salinity of 35 g L-1 and the specific concentration of diluted EO (stock solution). Control (only seawater) and blank (seawater and ethanol at the highest concentration used to dilute the oils) treatments were also conducted. After reaching the stage of surgical anaesthesia, fish were submitted to biometry and a sensibility test. After that, they were transferred to clean seawater for anaesthesia recovery. The times of induction needed to reach each anaesthesia stage and anaesthesia recovery were recorded. Animals were observed for 72 hours after the procedures. All the EO provoked anaesthesia and analgesic effects in A. clarkii, but basil oil is not recommended because it caused involuntary muscle contractions and mortality in 100% and 12% of fish, respectively. The lower concentrations that promote suitable induction and recovery times are 50 µl L-1 of clove oil and 500 µl L-1 of tea tree oil. However, due to its complementary high analgesic efficiency, clove oil is recommended as the ideal anaesthetic for A. clarkii.

Resumo Neste estudo foram avaliados os efeitos anestésicos e analgésicos dos óleos essenciais (OE) de cravo Eugenia caryophyllata, melaleuca Melaleuca alternifolia e manjericão Ocimum basilicum durante manejo de peixes-palhaços Amphiprion clarkii. Juvenis (3.70 ± 0.75 cm e 1.03 ± 0.50 g; média ± desvio padrão) foram submetidos às concentrações de 40, 50, 60, 70 e 80 µl L-1 de cravo, 150, 200, 250, 300 e 350 µl L-1 de manjericão e 200, 300, 400, 500 e 600 µl L-1 de melaleuca (n=10/concentração), previamente definidas em testes pilotos. Individualmente e somente uma vez, os peixes de cada tratamento foram colocados em recipiente de vidro contendo 1 L de água salgada, em temperatura de 25 °C, salinidade de 35 g L-1 e a concentração específica de OE diluída (solução estoque). Tratamentos controle (apenas água marinha) e branco (água marinha e a maior concentração de etanol utilizada para diluição dos óleos) também foram conduzidos. Após atingirem o estágio de anestesia cirúrgica, os peixes foram submetidos à biometria e teste de sensibilidade. Em seguida, foram transferidos para água marinha limpa. Os tempos necessários para atingir cada estágio anestésico e recuperação foram registrados. Os animais foram observados por 72 horas após os procedimentos. Todos os OE provocaram anestesia e analgesia em A. clarkii, porém o óleo de manjericão não é recomendado, pois causou contrações musculares involuntárias e mortalidade em 100% e 12% dos animais, respectivamente. As menores concentrações que promovem indução anestésica e recuperação em tempos adequados são 50 µl L-1 de óleo de cravo e 500 µl L-1 de óleo de melaleuca. Entretanto, devido à sua alta eficiência analgésica complementar, o óleo de cravo é recomendado como o anestésico ideal para A. clarkii.

Basil, tea tree and clove essential oils as analgesics and anaesthetics in Amphiprion clarkii (Bennett, 1830).

In this study were evaluated the anaesthesia and analgesic effects of clove Eugenia caryophyllata, tea tree Melaleuca alternifolia and basil Ocimum basilicum essential oils (EO) during handling of yellowtail clownfish Amphiprion clarkii. Juveniles (3.70 ± 0.75 cm and 1.03 ± 0.50 g; mean ± standard deviation) were submitted to concentrations of 40, 50, 60, 70 and 80 µl L-1 of clove, 150, 200, 250, 300 and 350 µl L-1 of basil and 200, 300, 400, 500 and 600 µl L-1 of tea tree oils (n=10/concentration), previously defined in pilot tests. Individually and only once, fish from each treatment were placed in a glass recipient containing 1 L of seawater at a temperature of 25 °C, salinity of 35 g L-1 and the specific concentration of diluted EO (stock solution). Control (only seawater) and blank (seawater and ethanol at the highest concentration used to dilute the oils) treatments were also conducted. After reaching the stage of surgical anaesthesia, fish were submitted to biometry and a sensibility test. After that, they were transferred to clean seawater for anaesthesia recovery. The times of induction needed to reach each anaesthesia stage and anaesthesia recovery were recorded. Animals were observed for 72 hours after the procedures. All the EO provoked anaesthesia and analgesic effects in A. clarkii, but basil oil is not recommended because it caused involuntary muscle contractions and mortality in 100% and 12% of fish, respectively. The lower concentrations that promote suitable induction and recovery times are 50 µl L-1 of clove oil and 500 µl L-1 of tea tree oil. However, due to its complementary high analgesic efficiency, clove oil is recommended as the ideal anaesthetic for A. clarkii.

Mitigation of electroencephalographic and cardiovascular responses to castration in Bos indicus bulls following the administration of either lidocaine or meloxicam.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mitigating effects of administration of local anaesthetic or systemic meloxicam on the electroencephalographic (EEG) and cardiovascular responses during surgical castration of Bos indicus bull calves. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, experimental study. ANIMALS: Thirty-six 6-8 month-old Bos indicus bull calves, with a mean ± standard deviation weight of 237 ± 19 kg. METHODS: Animals were allocated randomly to three groups of 12 (group L, 260 mg of 2% lidocaine subcutaneously and intratesticularly 5 minutes prior to castration; group M, 0.5 mg kg-1 of meloxicam subcutaneously 30 minutes prior to castration; group C, no preoperative analgesia administered). Anaesthesia was induced and maintained with halothane (0.9-1.1%) in oxygen. Electroencephalogram, heart rate (HR) and mean blood pressure (MAP) were recorded for 300 seconds prior to (baseline, B) and from the start of surgery (first testicle removal, T1). HR and MAP were compared at 10 second intervals for 90 seconds from the start of T1. Median frequency (F50), spectral edge frequency (F95) and total power of the EEG (Ptot) were analysed using area under the curve comparing T1 to B. RESULTS: All EEG variables were significantly different between B and T1 (p ≤ 0.0001). No differences in F50 were found between groups during T1 (p = 0.6491). F95 and Ptot were significantly different between group L and groups C and M during T1 (p = 0.0005 and 0.0163, respectively). There were transient significant changes in HR and MAP in groups L and M compared to group C during the 20-50 second periods. CONCLUSIONS: The EEG changes indicate nociceptive responses in all three groups during surgical castration, greater in group L compared to groups C and M. Both analgesics attenuated the peracute cardiovascular response. Lidocaine and meloxicam administered prior to castration attenuated these responses in Bos indicus bull calves. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These findings provide support for the preoperative administration of lidocaine and potentially meloxicam for castration in Bos indicus bull calves.

Analgesic and physiological effect of electroacupuncture combined with epidural lidocaine in goats.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate physiological and antinociceptive effects of electroacupuncture (EA) with lidocaine epidural nerve block in goats. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective experimental trial. ANIMALS: Forty-eight hybrid male goats weighing 27 ± 2 kg. METHODS: The goats were randomly assigned to six groups: L2.2, epidural lidocaine (2.2 mg kg-1); L4.4, epidural lidocaine (4.4 mg kg-1); EA; EA-L1.1, EA with epidural lidocaine (1.1 mg kg-1); EA-L2.2, EA with epidural lidocaine (2.2 mg kg-1); and EA-L4.4, EA with epidural lidocaine (4.4 mg kg-1). EA was administered for 120 minutes. Epidural lidocaine was administered 25 minutes after EA started. Nociceptive thresholds of flank and thigh regions, abdominal muscle tone, mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), respiratory frequency (fR) and rectal temperature were recorded at 30, 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 minutes. RESULTS: Lidocaine dose-dependently increased nociceptive thresholds. There were no differences in nociceptive thresholds between L4.4 and EA from 30 to 120 minutes. The threshold in EA-L2.2 was lower than in EA-L4.4 from 30 to 120 minutes, but higher than in EA-L1.1 from 30 to 150 minutes or in L4.4 from 30 to 180 minutes. The abdominal muscle tone in EA-L2.2 was higher at 30 minutes, but lower at 90 and 120 minutes than at 0 minutes. There were no differences in muscle tone between L4.4 and L2.2 or EA-L4.4, and between any two of the three EA-lidocaine groups from 0 to 180 minutes. The fR and HR decreased in L4.4 at 60 and 90 minutes compared with 0 minutes. No differences in fR, HR, MAP and temperature among the groups occurred from 30 to 180 minutes. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: EA combined with 2.2 mg kg-1 epidural lidocaine provides better antinociceptive effect than 4.4 mg kg-1 epidural lidocaine alone in goats. EA provided antinociception and allowed a decrease in epidural lidocaine dose.

Acupuncture and Equine Rehabilitation.

Acupuncture is one of the most common veterinary integrative medicine modalities. Acupuncture can greatly contribute to a rehabilitation protocol by promoting analgesia, tissue healing, and muscle strength. Acupuncture is safe, has minimal detrimental side effects, and is well tolerated by most horses.

Meloxicam associado ou não ao tramadol no controle da dor após ovário-histerectomia videoassistida em cadelas / Meloxican with or without tramadol for control of pain undergoing laparoscopic-assisted ovariohysterectomy in bitches

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a eficácia do meloxicam associado ou não ao tramadol, no controle da dor após ovário-histerectomia (OVH) laparoscópica com dois portais. Foram selecionadas 14 cadelas hígidas. Os animais foram separados de forma aleatória, em dois grupos. O grupo M (GM) recebeu meloxicam (0,2mg kg-1, s.i.d.), enquanto os animais do grupo MT (GMT) receberam a associação de meloxicam (0,2mg kg-1, s.i.d.) e tramadol (4mg kg-1, t.i.d.), ambos durante dois dias de pós-operatório. Para avaliação da dor pós-cirúrgica, foram utilizadas as escalas de Melbourne e escala visual analógica (EVA), além de mensurações de glicemia e cortisol sérico. Não houve diferença ao se avaliarem os grupos GM e GMT pela escala de Melbourne nem pela EVA. As mensurações de cortisol não atingiram valores superiores aos de referência para a espécie, enquanto os valores de glicemia não apresentaram variação significativa ao longo do tempo de avaliação nem entre grupos. Com os resultados deste estudo, foi possível concluir que a utilização de meloxicam associado ou não ao tramadol, nas doses e posologias propostas, é eficaz para controlar a dor pós-operatória de cadelas submetidas à OVH laparoscópica com dois portais.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of meloxicam with or without tramadol for pain control after laparoscopic-assisted ovariohysterectomy (OVH) by two-portal access. Were selected 14 healthy dogs to perform video-assisted OVHs. The animals were divided randomly into two groups (GM and GMT). The GM group received meloxicam (0.2mg kg-1, s.i.d), whereas the GMT group received the combination of meloxicam (0.2mg kg-1, s.i.d) and tramadol (4mg kg-1, tid), both for two days after surgery. To evaluate the post-surgical pain Melbourne and EVA scales were used, and blood glucose and serum cortisol were measured. There was no statistical difference when evaluating GM and GMT groups and the Melbourne scale or the visual analogue scale VAS. Cortisol measurements did not reach values higher than the reference for the species, while blood glucose levels did not present significant statistical variation throughout the evaluation time or between groups. With these results, we concluded that the use of meloxicam with or without the tramadol at the doses and dosage schedules proposed, is effective to control postoperative pain in bitches that had undergone video-assisted OVH with two-portal access.

Management of acute pancreatitis in dogs: a critical appraisal with focus on feeding and analgesia.

Knowledge about acute pancreatitis has increased recently in both the medical and veterinary fields. Despite this expansion of knowledge, there are very few studies on treatment interventions in naturally occurring disease in dogs. As a result, treatment recommendations are largely extrapolated from experimental rodent models or general critical care principles. General treatment principles involve replacing fluid losses, maintaining hydrostatic pressure, controlling nausea and providing pain relief. Specific interventions recently advocated in human medicine include the use of neurokinin-1 antagonists for analgesia and early interventional feeding. The premise for early feeding is to improve the health of the intestinal tract, as unhealthy enterocytes are thought to perpetuate systemic inflammation. The evidence for early interventional feeding is not supported by robust clinical trials to date, but in humans there is evidence that it reduces hospitalisation time and in dogs it is well tolerated. This article summarises the major areas of management of acute pancreatitis in dogs and examines the level of evidence for each recommendation.

Effect of analgesia and anti-inflammatory treatment on weight gain and milk intake of dairy calves after disbudding.

AIM: To assess the effect of analgesia at disbudding on weight gain and milk intake of dairy calves. METHODS: Four disbudding protocols were used on 3- to 6-week-old Friesian-Jersey calves. Farm staff disbudded 101 calves without sedation or local analgesia, of which 51 received 20 mg meloxicam S/C. Veterinary staff disbudded 101 calves with sedation and local analgesia, of which 51 also received 20 mg meloxicam S/C. Calves were weighed before disbudding, 15 and 30 days later, and individual milk consumption was recorded for 11 days. Daily weight gain and milk consumption were analysed using mixed models and ANOVA. RESULTS: From disbudding (Day 0) to Day 15 farmer-disbudded calves receiving meloxicam grew faster (0.65 kg/day) than calves without meloxicam (0.55 kg/day; p=0.011), but an interaction between operator and meloxicam treatment (p=0.056) meant that meloxicam treatment did not increase growth rates in veterinary-disbudded calves (0.63 vs. 0.64 kg/day; p=0.872). From Days 16-30 there was no significant effect of meloxicam on growth rate, but veterinarian-disbudded calves grew faster (0.76 kg/day) than farmer-disbudded calves (0.66 kg/day; p=0.034). Overall, for the first 30 days after disbudding, if meloxicam was not used', veterinarian-disbudded calves grew faster than farmer-disbudded calves (p=0.002). However if meloxicam was used at disbudding there was no difference in growth rate between veterinarian- and farmer-disbudded calves (p=0.878). Mean cumulative milk consumption for the 11 days after disbudding was greater for calves disbudded by veterinary staff than by farm staff (p<0.001), but there was no effect of meloxicam treatment (p=0.618) and no interaction with operator (p=0.86) on cumulative milk consumption. CONCLUSIONS: Three to 6-week-old dairy calves disbudded by farm staff with no analgesia grew significantly slower over the next 15 days than farmer-disbudded calves given meloxicam, and slower over the next 30 days than veterinarian-disbudded calves given xylazine and lignocaine. However addition of meloxicam to the latter protocol had no effect on growth rate. Milk intake was significantly higher for 11 days for veterinarian- compared with farmer-disbudded calves. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study adds to the evidence that analgesia during disbudding is beneficial for calf productivity as well as calf welfare.

Acupuncture for analgesia in veterinary medicine.

Acupuncture for analgesia is growing rapidly in popularity with veterinarians and pet owners. This article summarizes the mechanisms of analgesia derived from acupuncture and reviews current literature on the topic. Areas covered include the local effects at area of needle insertion, systemic effects secondary to circulating neurotransmitters and changes in cell signaling, central nervous system effects including the brain and spinal cord, and myofascial trigger point and pathology treatment. Clinical applications are discussed and suggested in each section. When used by appropriately trained professionals, acupuncture offers a compelling and safe method for pain management in our veterinary patients and should be strongly considered as a part of multimodal pain management plans.

Tumescent local anesthesia with ropivacaine in different concentrations in bitches undergoing mastectomy: plasma concentration and post-operative analgesia.

OBJECTIVE: To compare two concentrations of ropivacaine administered for tumescent local anesthesia (TLA) in dogs undergoing mastectomy. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective randomized clinical study. ANIMALS: Seventeen bitches of various breeds, aged 12 ± 2 years and weighing 10 ± 6.5 kg requiring total unilateral or bilateral mastectomy. METHODS: Dogs were premedicated with acepromazine (0.04 mg kg(-1) ) and morphine (0.4 mg kg(-1) ) intramuscularly. Anesthesia was induced with propofol (2.5 mg kg(-1) ) and midazolam (0.2 mg kg(-1) ) intravenously, followed by intubation and maintenance with isoflurane and TLA. Dogs were randomly allocated to receive TLA either with 0.1% ropivacaine (group G1) or with 0.05% ropivacaine (group G05). TLA was performed by insertion of a multihole needle under the skin and infusion of ropivacaine and lactated Ringer's solution at a fixed volume of 15 mL kg(-1) . Ropivacaine concentrations in arterial blood were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. Post-operative pain was assessed using two scales (University of Melbourne pain scale and a modified composite measure pain scale) and von Frey filaments, 4 hours after TLA and at 1 hour intervals until sensitivity was regained. A score above 30% of the maximum possible score was considered a positive indicator of pain. RESULTS: Peak plasma concentrations of ropivacaine were measured 240 minutes after TLA in G1. Low concentrations were measured in G05 for 60 minutes, with subsequent increase. Analgesic rescue and return of sensitivity occurred at 7 ± 2.3 and 7 ± 1.9 hours (mean ± SD) after TLA for G1 and G05, respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Tumescent local anesthesia with ropivacaine provided satisfactory post-operative analgesia that lasted for several hours, with no difference in duration between the concentrations. No serious side effects were attributed to TLA. Results indicated that 0.05% ropivacaine provided adequate analgesia for mastectomy, however, more studies are required to support this conclusion.

Assessment and management of pain associated with castration in cattle.

Validated pain assessment tools are needed to support approval of analgesic compounds to alleviate pain associated with castration. Accelerometers, videography, heart rate variability, electroencephalography, thermography, and plasma neuropeptide measurement to assess behavioral, physiologic, and neuroendocrine changes associated with castration are discussed. Preemptive local and systemic analgesia are also reviewed. Previous studies found that preemptive administration of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) and local anesthesia significantly decreased peak serum cortisol concentration after castration. Local anesthesia alone tended to decrease peak cortisol concentrations more than NSAIDs, whereas NSAIDs alone tended to decrease the area under the cortisol-time curve more than local anesthesia alone.