Pain Control for Spay Surgery in Cats

Brondani JT, Loureiro Luna SP, Beier SL, Minto BW, Padovani CR. Analgesic efficacy of perioperative use of vedaprofen, tramadol or their combination in cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy. J Feline Med Surg 2009; 11: 420-9.

Veterinarians now recognize that preventive pain control is beneficial for cats undergoing surgery, providing comfort and faster recoveries. One of the most common feline surgeries is the ovariohysterectomy or spay. The researchers investigated the efficacy of two drugs, tramadol and vedaprofen, in 40 female cats undergoing spay surgery. The cats were divided into four treatment groups: vedaprofen only, tramadol only, vedaprofen plus tramadol, and placebo. Medications were administered one hour before surgery and for 72 hours after surgery. Pain scores were evaluated at regular intervals for the first 96 hours and then on day 7 after surgery. Cats with high pain scores were given rescue analgesia with morphine. Cats treated with vedaprofen and tramadol together did not require rescue analgesia and proved to be the most effective option evaluated. Multimodal analgesia is known to be a superior method of pain control and proved effective for cats undergoing spay surgery. The researchers recommended that pain control should be provided for a minimum of three days after spay surgery. [SL]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Slingsby L, Waterman-Pearson A. Postoperative analgesia in the cat after ovariohysterectomy by use of carprofen, ketoprofen, meloxicam or tolfenamic acid. J Small Anim Pract 2000; 41: 447-450.
>> PubMed Abstract

Tobias KM, Harvey RC, Byarlay JM. A comparison of four methods of analgesia in cats following ovariohysterectomy. Vet Anaesth Analg 2006; 33: 390-8.
>> PubMed Abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
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Brondani JT, Loureiro Luna SP, Beier SL, Minto BW, Padovani CR. Analgesic efficacy of perioperative use of vedaprofen, tramadol or their combination in cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy. J Feline Med Surg 2009; 11: 420-9.

Veterinarians now recognize that preventive pain control is beneficial for cats undergoing surgery, providing comfort and faster recoveries. One of the most common feline surgeries is the ovariohysterectomy or spay. The researchers investigated the efficacy of two drugs, tramadol and vedaprofen, in 40 female cats undergoing spay surgery. The cats were divided into four treatment groups: vedaprofen only, tramadol only, vedaprofen plus tramadol, and placebo. Medications were administered one hour before surgery and for 72 hours after surgery. Pain scores were evaluated at regular intervals for the first 96 hours and then on day 7 after surgery. Cats with high pain scores were given rescue analgesia with morphine. Cats treated with vedaprofen and tramadol together did not require rescue analgesia and proved to be the most effective option evaluated. Multimodal analgesia is known to be a superior method of pain control and proved effective for cats undergoing spay surgery. The researchers recommended that pain control should be provided for a minimum of three days after spay surgery. [SL]
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Slingsby L, Waterman-Pearson A. Postoperative analgesia in the cat after ovariohysterectomy by use of carprofen, ketoprofen, meloxicam or tolfenamic acid. J Small Anim Pract 2000; 41: 447-450.
>> PubMed Abstract

Tobias KM, Harvey RC, Byarlay JM. A comparison of four methods of analgesia in cats following ovariohysterectomy. Vet Anaesth Analg 2006; 33: 390-8.
>> PubMed Abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library
Join us on Facebook

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Control of Postoperative Pain in Cats

Benito-de-la-Vibora, J., B. D. Lascelles, et al. (2008). "Efficacy of tolfenamic acid and meloxicam in the control of postoperative pain following ovariohysterectomy in the cat." Vet Anaesth Analg.

This prospective, randomized, blinded and placebo-controlled study was performed at the University of Madrid, Spain to evaluate the effect of two non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (tolfenamic acid and meloxicam) on control of post-operative pain in cats. Sixty-nine client owned cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy were enrolled in the study. The cats were given a dose of either tolfenamic acid (Tolfedine, Vetoquinol), meloxicam (Metacam, Boehringer Ingelheim/Merial), or placebo pre-operatively and again post-operatively. Pain and wound sensitivity were assessed using standardized scales for up to 25 hours post-operatively. The meloxicam group was less painful than controls at 6 and 22 hours post-operatively; both treatment groups were less painful than controls at 25 hours. The number of cats requiring rescue analgesia did not differ between the groups. Cats receiving tolfenamic acid or meloxicam had decreased wound sensitivity compared to controls at all time points. The researchers conclude that both tolfenamic acid and meloxicam provide a similar analgesic effect for up to 24 hours post-operatively.
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Lascelles, B. D., M. H. Court, et al. (2007). "Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in cats: a review." Vet Anaesth Analg 34(4): 228-50.
>> PubMed Abstract

Slingsby, L. and A. Waterman-Pearson (2000). "Postoperative analgesia in the cat after ovariohysterectomy by use of carprofen, ketoprofen, meloxicam or tolfenamic acid." J Small Anim Pract 41(10): 447-450.
>> PubMed Abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Benito-de-la-Vibora, J., B. D. Lascelles, et al. (2008). "Efficacy of tolfenamic acid and meloxicam in the control of postoperative pain following ovariohysterectomy in the cat." Vet Anaesth Analg.

This prospective, randomized, blinded and placebo-controlled study was performed at the University of Madrid, Spain to evaluate the effect of two non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (tolfenamic acid and meloxicam) on control of post-operative pain in cats. Sixty-nine client owned cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy were enrolled in the study. The cats were given a dose of either tolfenamic acid (Tolfedine, Vetoquinol), meloxicam (Metacam, Boehringer Ingelheim/Merial), or placebo pre-operatively and again post-operatively. Pain and wound sensitivity were assessed using standardized scales for up to 25 hours post-operatively. The meloxicam group was less painful than controls at 6 and 22 hours post-operatively; both treatment groups were less painful than controls at 25 hours. The number of cats requiring rescue analgesia did not differ between the groups. Cats receiving tolfenamic acid or meloxicam had decreased wound sensitivity compared to controls at all time points. The researchers conclude that both tolfenamic acid and meloxicam provide a similar analgesic effect for up to 24 hours post-operatively.
>> PubMed Abstract

Related articles:
Lascelles, B. D., M. H. Court, et al. (2007). "Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in cats: a review." Vet Anaesth Analg 34(4): 228-50.
>> PubMed Abstract

Slingsby, L. and A. Waterman-Pearson (2000). "Postoperative analgesia in the cat after ovariohysterectomy by use of carprofen, ketoprofen, meloxicam or tolfenamic acid." J Small Anim Pract 41(10): 447-450.
>> PubMed Abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

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The Best Age to Spay and Neuter

Kustritz, M. V. (2007). "Determining the optimal age for gonadectomy of dogs and cats." J Am Vet Med Assoc 231(11): 1665-75.

Spaying female cats and castrating male cats, also called gonadectomy, are among the most commonly performed surgeries in veterinary medicine. Increasingly, both pet owners and veterinarians are questioning the best age to perform gonadectomy. Most veterinarians in the U.S. recommend gonadectomy for cats and dogs between 6 and 9 months of age. However, there is no scientific evidence to document that this is the optimal age. In fact, the age for gonadectomy of cats and dogs has varied tremendously over time and by geographic location. This article is a review of the scientific evidence on optimal ages for gonadectomy.
>> Free full text article available

Related articles:
Howe, L. M. (2006). "Surgical methods of contraception and sterilization." Theriogenology 66(3): 500-9.
>> PubMed abstract

Olson, P., M. Kustritz, et al. (2001). "Early-age neutering of dogs and cats in the United States (a review)." J Reprod Fertil Suppl 57: 223-232.
>> PubMed abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Kustritz, M. V. (2007). "Determining the optimal age for gonadectomy of dogs and cats." J Am Vet Med Assoc 231(11): 1665-75.

Spaying female cats and castrating male cats, also called gonadectomy, are among the most commonly performed surgeries in veterinary medicine. Increasingly, both pet owners and veterinarians are questioning the best age to perform gonadectomy. Most veterinarians in the U.S. recommend gonadectomy for cats and dogs between 6 and 9 months of age. However, there is no scientific evidence to document that this is the optimal age. In fact, the age for gonadectomy of cats and dogs has varied tremendously over time and by geographic location. This article is a review of the scientific evidence on optimal ages for gonadectomy.
>> Free full text article available

Related articles:
Howe, L. M. (2006). "Surgical methods of contraception and sterilization." Theriogenology 66(3): 500-9.
>> PubMed abstract

Olson, P., M. Kustritz, et al. (2001). "Early-age neutering of dogs and cats in the United States (a review)." J Reprod Fertil Suppl 57: 223-232.
>> PubMed abstract

More on cat health: Winn Feline Foundation Library

Read More