Once daily oral extended-release hydrocodone as analgesia following tibial plateau leveling osteotomy in dogs.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of oral extended-release hydrocodone compared with oral firocoxib for analgesia following tibial plateau leveling osteotomy surgery in dogs in a hospital setting. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, blinded, clinical trial. ANIMALS: Thirty-six client-owned dogs weighing 25-43 kg with unilateral hindlimb lameness and cranial cruciate ligament rupture. METHODS: Dogs were assigned to 1 of 2 groups (n = 18/group). Group 1 received hydrocodone 3 mg/kg orally every 24 hours, and group 2 received firocoxib 5 mg/kg orally every 24 hours. Both hydrocodone and firocoxib (according to group assignment) were provided as preemptive analgesia 10 hours before induction to anesthesia and then every 24 hours for the remainder of the study period The level of analgesia was compared between treatments on the basis of a modified Glasgow Composite Pain Score (mGCPS) in each dog, the number of dogs requiring rescue analgesia (hydromorphone 0.05 mg/kg subcutaneously), pressure platform stance data, and number of adverse events. RESULTS: Nine of 18 dogs that received hydrocodone and 2/18 dogs that received firocoxib had an mGCPS ≥6 (P = .02). Two dogs had an mGCPS ≥6 three times, and 1 had an mGCPS ≥6 two times; all 3 of these dogs were in the hydrocodone group. Average postoperative peak pressure placed on the affected limb was lower in dogs that received hydrocodone (P = .01). Regurgitation and decreased appetite were more common in the dogs that received hydrocodone. CONCLUSION: Dogs that were treated with hydrocodone exhibited higher pain scores and lower limb function than dogs treated with firocoxib under the conditions of our study. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Our results do not provide evidence to justify the administration of extended-release hydrocodone at 3 mg/kg orally every 24 hours rather than firocoxib at 5 mg/kg orally every 24 hours in dogs undergoing tibial plateau leveling osteotomy.

Simultaneous staphylectomy and unilateral arytenoid lateralization in dogs presenting for dyspnea: 23 cases (2010-2013).

This retrospective study assesses postoperative complications with simultaneous staphylectomy and unilateral arytenoid lateralization (SP + UAL) in dogs with laryngeal paralysis and concurrent elongation of the soft palate compared to dogs having a UAL alone. Medical records of dogs having a UAL performed from 2010 to 2013 were reviewed. Twenty-three dogs were diagnosed with a concurrent elongated soft palate and had a SP + UAL performed and 89 dogs were diagnosed with an appropriate soft palate and had only a UAL performed. A telephone questionnaire for long-term postoperative outcomes was completed. Survival probability was not statistically different between the 2 groups. Dogs in the SP + UAL group were more likely to be seen for respiratory distress after surgery (P = 0.05). There was no significant difference between the 2 groups in the number of dogs which developed postoperative aspiration pneumonia. The overall complication rate for both groups was high, with postoperative pneumonia being the most common complication.

Staphylectomie et latéralisation unilatérale de l'arythénoïde simultanées chez des chiens manifestant de la dyspnée : 23 cas (2010­2013). Cette étude rétrospective évalue les complications postopératoires associées à une staphylectomie et à une latéralisation unilatérale de l'arythénoïde (SP + LAU) simultanée chez des chiens atteints de paralysie laryngée et d'allongement concomitant du palais mou comparativement à des chiens atteints seulement de LAU. Les dossiers médicaux de chiens qui avaient subi une LAU de 2010 à 2013 ont été examinés. Vingt-trois chiens ont été diagnostiqués avec un palais mou allongé concomitant et ont subi une SP + LAU et 89 chiens ont été diagnostiqués avec un palais mou conforme et avaient subi seulement une LAU. Un questionnaire téléphonique pour les résultats postopératoires à long terme a été rempli. La probabilité de survie n'était pas statistiquement différente entre les deux groupes. Il était plus probable que les chiens du groupe SP + LAU soient examinés pour une détresse respiratoire après la chirurgie (P = 0,05). Il n'y avait pas de différence statistiquement significative entre les deux groupes quant au nombre de chiens qui ont développé une pneumonie de déglutition postopératoire. Le taux de complication global était élevé pour les deux groupes et la pneumonie postopératoire était la complication la plus fréquente.(Traduit par Isabelle Vallières).