Evaluation of postoperative pain and toxicological aspects of the use of dipyrone and tramadol in cats

Abstract

Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of dipyrone and tramadol, used for 5 days, on postoperative pain, hematological and biochemical parameters, and oxidative markers on erythrocytes. Methods Twenty-eight healthy cats underwent ovariohysterectomy and were randomly allocated to four groups (each n = 7), according to the postoperative treatment administered intravenously: control (saline 1 ml q8h), DIP1 (dipyrone 25 mg/kg q24h), DIP2 (dipyrone 25 mg/kg q12h) and DIP3 (dipyrone 25 mg/kg q8h). All animals received tramadol (2 mg/kg q8h). Pain was assessed by visual analog (VAS), multidimensional UNESP and Glasgow pain scales for cats preoperatively and at 3, 6, 12, 24, 36 and 48 h after extubation. Venous blood was collected daily for 5 days, and on day 10, to perform a complete blood count (CBC) and determine the percentage of Heinz bodies (HBs). Serum biochemistry was evaluated preoperatively and on days 5 and 10; superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), myeloperoxidase (MPO) and lipoperoxidation were evaluated preoperatively and on days 3, 5 and 10. Results Control cats had higher pain scores than DIP3 cats by UNESP ( P = 0.0065), and DIP2 ( P = 0.0035) and DIP3 cats ( P = 0.0108) by VAS 3 h postoperatively. Rescue analgesia was required by two animals in the control group and one each in the DIP1 and DIP2 groups. There was no difference in SOD or CAT among groups. On day 5, MPO was more active in DIP2 than in DIP3 cats ( P = 0.0274). No difference in lipoperoxidation among treatment and control cats was found. CBC remained constant and without statistical difference among groups. Control, DIP2 and DIP3 cats presented a similar percentage of HBs on day 10. Biochemical variables were similar among groups and times. Conclusions and relevance The administration of dipyrone in cats, when used in combination with tramadol, did not ensure better analgesia than tramadol alone. Dipyrone did not significantly affect biochemical variables and oxidative markers, despite minimal, clinically irrelevant, hematological differences between groups.

Clinical pharmacology of tramadol and tapentadol, and their therapeutic efficacy in different models of acute and chronic pain in dogs and cats

“…These characteristics mediate the opioid and non-opioid mechanisms of action [ 21 ]. Given its rapid onset of action (10–20 min), it is frequently employed in small animals to manage moderate to severe perioperative pain [ 22 ] and osteoarthritic diseases [ 20 ].…”

“…As highlighted, the variability of M1 concentrations between species indicates that tramadol is more suitable for cats than dogs. In addition, the extended elimination half-life and greater amounts of plasma M1 can be attributed to lower glucuronidation activity observed in cats [ 22 , 37 ], in contrast to dogs, who have reported plasma M1 levels below therapeutic ranges even when compared with humans [ 4 ].…”

“…The effect of tramadol in surgical settings as perioperative analgesia has been examined in various studies in recent years. Teixeira et al [ 22 ] evaluated 2 mg/kg/8 h SC tramadol alone and in combination with IV dipyrone at different doses (25 mg/kg every 8, 12, or 24 h) in patients undergoing OVH. Biochemical, hematological, and behavioral parameters were assessed.…”

“…Biochemical, hematological, and behavioral parameters were assessed. The authors revealed that cats receiving dipyrone + tramadol required less complementary analgesic; however, it did not offer a superior analgesic combination than the use of the opioid alone [ 22 ]. Likewise, IV administration of 3 mg/kg tramadol during OVH and orchiectomy, along with meloxicam (0.05 mg/kg SC), revealed that 89.4% of the animals presented only mild pain [ 82 ].…”

Comparative Multimodal Palliative efficacy of gabapentin and tramadol By Using Two Pain Scoring Systems in Cats Undergoing Ovariohysterectomy

“…As the effi cacy of tramadol, when independently used has become questionable, further inquiries to mitigate its adverse effects have been initiated [6]. Owing to a myriad of drug interactions, contraindications, side effects and relatively short half-life of desmethyltramadol (4.3h IV), its use as a perioperative analgesic is hampered [7][8][9]. To this end, researchers have investigated several multimodal approaches to improve the effi cacy of tramadol and counteract the side effects associated with its persistent use [10,11].…”