The effect of epidurally administered dexamethasone with lignocaine for post-operative analgesia in dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy. A dose-response study.

Larissa Correa Hermeto,Pedro Santana De Camargo,Natalia De Andrade Bicudo,Rafael De Rossi,Klebs Tavares Assis,Lucas Latta Escobar

doi:10.1590/s0102-865020170040000008

Larissa Correa Hermeto, Pedro Santana De Camargo + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/s0102-865020170040000008

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Abstract

To evaluate the postoperative analgesic and adverse effects of three doses of dexamethasone, administered epidurally in combination with lignocaine, in dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy (OVH). Twenty-four female dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy were pre-medicated with acepromazine and general anaesthesia was induced and maintained with propofol. Animals were randomly allocated into four groups of six. The control group was given lignocaine 2% (LI) and the treatment groups were given lignocaine with either 2 mg dexamethasone (LIDEX2), 4 mg dexamethasone (LIDEX4) or 8 mg dexamethasone (LIDEX8) administered at the lumbosacral epidural space. Duration of postoperative analgesia, first analgesic rescue, motor blockade, heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and rectal temperature were evaluated. The duration of postoperative analgesia was 19.5 (SD 6) hours for LIDEX8 (p=0.001), 10 (SD 2) hours for LIDEX4 (p=0.002), 4 (SD 2) hours for LIDEX2 (p=0.074) treatments compared with values for the LI control treatment 2.2 (SD 1.6) hours. All treatments had significant cardiovascular and respiratory alterations but they were within acceptable range in these clinically healthy female dogs. Dexamethasone added to epidural lignocaine significantly extends the postoperative analgesia after ovariohysterectomy in female dogs.

Highlights

IntroductionInadequate postoperative pain relief can delay recovery and increase the incidence of adverse effects, such as delayed healing, lack of appetite and decreased immunity[1].Female dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy (OVH) suffer pain of varying severity (mild-tomoderate) depending on the degree of surgical trauma, requiring analgesic drugs in the first postoperative day[2]
Inadequate postoperative pain relief can delay recovery and increase the incidence of adverse effects, such as delayed healing, lack of appetite and decreased immunity[1].Female dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy (OVH) suffer pain of varying severity depending on the degree of surgical trauma, requiring analgesic drugs in the first postoperative day[2]
Four dogs were excluded from the experiment because it was not possible to be sure that the epidural space was reached

Summary

Introduction

Inadequate postoperative pain relief can delay recovery and increase the incidence of adverse effects, such as delayed healing, lack of appetite and decreased immunity[1].Female dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy (OVH) suffer pain of varying severity (mild-tomoderate) depending on the degree of surgical trauma, requiring analgesic drugs in the first postoperative day[2]. To increase the duration of analgesia, epidural techniques with local anaesthetics have been investigated in human and animal models in association with adjuncts such as opioids[3], neostigmine[4] and alpha2agonists[5]. Epidural opioids were found to be associated with nausea, vomiting, pruritus, urinary retention and respiratory depression in dogs[6,7], and epidural administration of alpha2agonists produced hypotension, bradycardia and sedation in children and dogs[5,8,9]. These adverse effects might not be appropriate in weakened animals or those with systemic disorders. The authors are unaware of any studies on the use of epidural dexamethasone in dogs to relieve pain and increase the duration of action of the lignocaine local anaesthetic in the postoperative period

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