Effects of meloxicam and ketorolac in cats undergoing elective ovariohysterectomy

Abstract

Our objective was to evaluate the preemptive analgesia of meloxicam and ketorolac, and their effects on the renal and liver enzymes and digestive clinical safety in cats submitted to ovariohysterectomy. Twenty-four cats, which were allocated into four groups (n=6), were used. The animals received meloxicam (MPRE) or ketorolac (CPRE) before anesthetic induction, and saline solution after the surgical procedure. Inversely, they received saline solution before anesthetic induction and meloxicam (MPOS) or ketorolac (CPOS) after the surgical procedure. The times (T0-T6) evaluated in the surgical period are in agreement with the surgical procedure. At T0, T2, and T6, blood samples were collected to measure cortisol. In the postoperative period, the animals were evaluated using the visual analog (VAS) and multidimensional pain (UNESP-Botucatu MPS) scales, their renal and hepatic profiles, and presence of vomiting and diarrhea for 3 days. For heart rate (HR), the values in MPOS were higher than in MPRE (T1, T2, and T5), and in CPOS were higher than in CPRE (T1, T2, and T6). For cortisol concentration, the values in CPOS were higher than in CPRE, MPRE, and MPOS (T0 and T6), and in CPOS were higher than in CPRE and MPRE (T2). For the pain score UNESP-Botucatu MPS, the values in MPRE were higher than in MPOS (only at M2). We concluded that there was no preemptive analgesia for meloxicam and ketorolac. Both drugs showed to be safe in the kidney and liver evaluations. In the digestive system, a reduced incidence of gastrointestinal disorders was observed.