Analgesic Effects of Metoclopramide Following Conventional Ovariohysterectomy in Bitches

Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the analgesic properties of Metoclopramide, a frequently prescribed antiemetic, for relieving postoperative pain following ovariohysterectomy in dogs.Study design: Experimental studyAnimals: Sixteen intact bitches, mean weight ۱۵±۲ kg.Methods: The dogs were randomly placed into two equal groups(A and B). Prior to surgery, the dogs in group A, received Metoclopramide (۰.۵mg/kg/ IV) and the dogs in group B, received the same volume of saline placebo intravenously. Under general anesthesia (acepromazine [۰.۱mg/kg/IM], thiopental Na [۸ mg/kg/IV] and inhalation of ۱.۶ % isoflurane in ۱۰۰% oxygen) traditional midline ovariohysterectomy was performed in all dogs. Pain scores were recorded using a University Melbourne Pain Scale (UMPS) before surgery and at ۰.۵, ۱, ۳, ۶ and ۲۴ hours following surgery. All data were analyzed by SPSS software using the student's t test for normally distributed data and the Mann-Whitney U and Wilcoxon signed-rank test for skewed data. P-value less than ۰.۰۵ was considered to be significant.Results: The mean of recovery time was significantly higher in group B (۱۸.۶±۲.۳) in compared to group A (۱۱.۴±۲.۳)(P=۰.۰۰۱). Median pain scores were significantly higher in the group B than group A at all postoperative times (P<۰.۰۵) except ۲۴ hours following the surgery (P=۰.۶). Median postoperative pain scores were significantly higer than preoperative pain scores at ۰.۵, ۱, ۳ and ۶ hours in both groups (P<۰.۰۵).Conclusion: It is concluded that metoclopramide has analgesic properties and can alleviate postoperative pain following ovariohysterectomy in dogs during ۶ hours after surgery. In addition following injection of the drug duration of recovery time is significantly decreased.

Keywords:

Ovariohysterectomy , Postoperative pain , Metoclopramide , Dog