Meloxicam to treat post-surgical pain of hemilaminectomy to remove a metal projectile in a cat: Case report

Abstract

Acute spinal cord injuries are common in veterinary. Three factors can measured the severity of spinal cord injury: time (duration of compression), degree of compression, and especially compression force. Diagnosis can be made by radiography. Treatment with corticosteroids are contraindicated after six hours of spinal cord trauma. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as meloxicam are recommended due to neuroprotective effect. The objective of this case report is to describe a spinal cord trauma in female cat, short hair, six months of age, treated with meloxicam, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory. Pacient got in Veterinary Clinic of the Anhanguera College in Dourados – MS, with paraplegia of the pelvic limbs, without response to the cutaneous panniculus test by L2, absence of bilateral proprioception in the pelvic limbs, absence of deep pain reflexes, decreased urethral and anal sphincter reflexes. Thoracolumbar spine radiographic exam shows the presence of a metal projectile in spinal cord between first and second lumbar vertebrae. Blood tests demonstrated a normocytic normochromic anemia and moderate leukocytosis. Patient was referred for a left dorsolateral hemilaminectomy to removal the metal projectile and spinal decompression. Postoperatively recovered well and pacient started to perform physiotherapy sessions.