Comparison of ketoprofen and carprofen administered prior to orthopedic surgery for control of postoperative pain in dogs

Objective-To compare analgesic and adverse effects of ketoprofen and carpro fen when used to control pain associated with elective orthopedic surgeries in dogs. Design-Prospective randomized clinical trial. Animals-93 client-owned dogs: 46 undergoing reconstruction of the cranial c ruciate ligament, 47 undergoing femoral head and neck excision, and 15 cont rol dogs anesthetized for radiographic procedures. Procedure-Dogs undergoing surgery were randomly given ketoprofen, carprofen , or saline (0.9% NaCl) solution, SC, prior to surgery. Pain score and seru m cortisol concentration were recorded for 12 hours after surgery for all d ogs. When pain score was greater than or equal to 7, oxymorphone was admini stered IM. Bleeding time was measured prior to and during surgery, Results-The proportion of dogs that required oxymorphone was significantly higher for the carprofen and placebo groups than for the ketoprofen group. Pain score for the placebo group was significantly higher than for the keto profen and carprofen groups, 2, 8, and 9 hours after surgery. Cortisol conc entration was significantly higher for the placebo group than for the carpr ofen group at 4 and 6 hours after surgery. Significant differences were not detected between ketoprofen and carprofen groups with respect to pain scor e and cortisol concentration. Bleeding time was significantly longer for th e ketoprofen group than for the other groups during surgery. One dog treate d with ketoprofen developed a hematoma at the surgical site. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Ketoprofen and carprofen given prior to surgery were effective for postoperative pain relief in dogs. However, keto profen should not be used when noncompressible bleeding may be a problem.