Abstract
Objectives
To systematically review published studies evaluating pain associated with onychectomy
in cats, and to assess the efficacy of the analgesic therapies applied.
Databases used
Four sources were used to identify manuscripts for review. Databases searched were
those of the National Library of Medicine, EMBASE and CAB International. In addition,
pertinent references in the bibliographies of included articles were retrieved.
Results
Twenty manuscripts published in refereed journals were reviewed. These included papers
reporting 18 clinical trials and two studies conducted in conditioned research cats.
Twelve analgesics were evaluated, including seven opioids, four non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs and one local anesthetic. Nine studies involved a direct comparison of analgesic
agents. Limb use was abnormal when measured at 2 and 12 days following onychectomy,
and neither fentanyl patch nor butorphanol administration resulted in normal use of
the surgical limb. In another study, cats evaluated at 6 months after this surgery
were not lame. Differing surgical techniques were compared in six studies; the results
indicated that pain scores were lower after laser surgery than after scalpel surgery.
The difficulties associated with assessing pain in cats and the lack of sensitivity
of the evaluation systems utilized were highlighted in many of the studies. Huge variations
in dose and dosing strategies had significant impacts on drug efficacy. Statistically
significant differences among treatments were found in most studies; however, no clearly
superior analgesic treatment was identified. A combination of meloxicam or robenacoxib
with an opioid may provide more effective analgesia and should be evaluated.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
May 13,
2015
Received:
October 7,
2014
Identification
Copyright
© 2016 Association of Veterinary Anaesthetists and the American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
