Abstract

Background:
Perioperative nociception and pain are among the most frequent signs observed following surgical procedures in animals. Proper management of perioperative pain is essential for maintaining the animal's well-being and the stability of physiological, hemodynamic, biochemical, and behavioral parameters.

Aim:
This study aimed to evaluate the analgesic efficacy and clinical safety of dexketoprofen in dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy (OVH) by assessing serum and blood parameters related to liver and kidney function.

Methods:
Thirty healthy dogs of different breeds were randomly divided into two groups. G1 (n=15) received dexketoprofen at 1 mg kg⁻¹ PO before surgery and every 24 h for 48 h; and G2 (n=15) premedicated with meloxicam at 0.2 mg kg-1 IV, reducing to 0.1 mg kg-1 every 24 h for 48 h. Heart Rate (HR), Respiratory Rate (RR), Non-Invasive Blood Pressure (NIBP), esophageal temperature, pulse oximetry (SpO2), and end-tidal CO2 (ETCO2) were evaluated at beginning of anesthesia (EBASAL), placement of Backhaus clamp (EPINZ), skin incision and abdominal cavity approach (EINC), ligation and resection of the right ovarian pedicle (EOvD) and left (EOvI), ligation and resection of the uterus (EUT), muscle fascia closure (EMUSC), and skin suturing (ESUT). Postoperative analgesia was assessed using the Dynamic Interactive Visual Analog Scale (DIVAS), University of Melbourne Pain Scale (UMPS), and Glasgow Composite Measurement Pain Scale–Short Form (GCMPS-SF) at 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24, 36, and 48 h. Blood and biochemical variables were assessed during EBASAL and at 48 h.

Results:
G1 showed hemodynamic reactivity in systolic blood pressure (SBP) to surgical manipulation of EOvD and EOvI (P=0.034), as well as in mean arterial pressure (MAP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) during EOvI (P=0.012 and P=0.024, respectively), compared to EBASAL. Esophageal temperature decreased progressively in G1 (P=0.006) and G2 (P=0.003). Postoperative pain scores significantly decreased over time in both groups, with no significant differences between them (P=0.999). Blood count and chemistry values in both groups showed no changes indicative of hematological, hepatic, or renal toxicity.

Conclusion:
Dexketoprofen offers effective pain relief with short-term (48 hours) clinical safety similar to meloxicam in dogs undergoing OVH, highlighting its potential as a dependable option for multimodal pain management during elective surgical procedures.

Key words: Analgesia, dexketoprofen, dogs, hepatic toxicity, renal toxicity.