Postoperative Analgesic Effects of Laserpuncture and Meloxicam in Bitches Submitted to Ovariohysterectomy

Author(s)

Tomacheuski, Rubia M. ; Taffarel, Marilda O. ; Cardoso, Guilherme S. ; Derussi, Ana A. P. ; Ferrante, Marcos ; Volpato, Rodrigo ; Luna, Stelio P. L.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: VETERINARY SCIENCES; v. 7, n. 3, p. 9-pg., 2020-09-01.

Abstract

Background: This prospective, randomised and blind study investigated the efficacy of laserpuncture for postoperative pain management in dogs. Method: Sixteen bitches were sedated with acepromazine and randomly treated before ovariohysterectomy with meloxicam 0.2 mg center dot kg(-1)intramuscular or laserpuncture (wavelength 904 mm, frequency 124 Hz, potency 10 Joules, 100 s in each acupoint). Anaesthesia was performed with propofol, isoflurane/O-2, and fentanyl. The Glasgow Composite Measure Pain Scale (GCMPS) and Dynamic Interactive Visual Analog Scale (DIVAS) were used to evaluate postoperative pain before and for 24 h after surgery. Morphine was administrated as rescue analgesia when pain scores were >= 3.33 (GCMPS). Differences between treatments, time points, and amount of rescue analgesia between groups were investigated by the Mann-Whitney test and the area under the curve (AUC) for GCMPS, Friedman, and Chi-squared tests, respectively (p< 0.05). Results: Dogs treated with laserpuncture presented lower GCMPS AUC for 24 h and lower GCMPS scores at 2 and 4 h postoperatively (p= 0.04). Three dogs treated with meloxicam required postoperatively rescue analgesia against none treated with laserpuncture. Conclusions: In this preliminary study, laserpuncture mitigated postoperative pain in dogs following ovariohysterectomy, and the technique is a promising adjunct to perioperative pain management in dogs undergoing soft tissue surgery. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/12815-0 - Pain and quality of life in animals
• Grantee: Stelio Pacca Loureiro Luna
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants