USE OF KETOPROFEN AS AN ANTIPYRETIC RN CATS

The antipyretic effectiveness of ketoprofen, a nonsteroidal anti-infla mmatory drug, was investigated in pyretic cats with a variety of bacte rial and viral infections, Cats were randomly assigned to receive eith er a broad-spectrum antibiotic or a broad-spectrum antibiotic plus ket oprofen, Body temperature was monitored 3 times daily, and attitude an d appetite were evaluated once daily, The treatment groups were compar ed with respect to mean body temperatures, using a one-way analysis of variance, Mean temperatures were significantly different (P < 0.05) d uring the 4 and 8 h post-treatment observations, with a reduction to n ormal temperatures in the ketoprofen group compared with no change in the group treated with antibiotics alone, The antipyretic effect of ke toprofen was rapid and persisted for at least 8 h, but for less than 2 4 h, The overall recovery period from pyrexia, depression, and inappet ance was also shorter in cats treated with antibiotics and ketoprofen (3 d) than in cats treated only with antibiotics (5 d), Ketoprofen was a useful adjunct in the treatment of pyretic cats.