Effects of Various Anaesthetic Combinations on Pain Management After Ovariohysterectomy in Bitches

Abstract

This study was carried out for the assessment of various anaesthetic combinations on pain management after ovariohysterectomy and to find out the best combination of premedication and anaesthetic drugs for prevention of pain in dogs during the period from May to October 2005 in the Department of Surgery and Obstetrics, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh. Twenty seven bitches were allocated into three equal groups. The treatment groups were the Atropine-Ketamine-Xylazine (AKX), Atropine-Diazepam-Thiopentone (ADT), and Atropine-Thiopentone-Xylazine (ATX). As local analgesic, 2% lignocaine hydrochloride was administered before closing the external skin wound during experiment in all groups. The levels of analgesia and wound tenderness were assessed by dynamic interactive visual analogue scale (DIVAS). Parametric variables were analyzed using Student's t-test, paired sample t-test and one-way ANOVA in the appropriate cases. Overall, postoperative pain and wound tenderness score increased significantly (p < 0.01) irrespective of groups. Pain decreased significantly (p < 0.01) in ADT group compared to other two groups. Similarly, wound tenderness decreased significantly (p < 0.01) in ADT group at each observation compared to other two groups (ATX and AKX). No adverse event or reaction was observed through the courses of the study. It was demonstrated that Atropine-Diazepam-Thiopentone group provided an excellent analgesia compared to AKX and ATX. A multimodal approach of anaesthesia during ovariohysterectomy in bitches is suggested for prevention of pain.

Key words: Anaesthetic, pain, ovariohysterectomy, bitch

doi:10.3329/bjvm.v4i1.1525

Bangl. J. Vet. Med. (2006): 47-51