The use of analgesic drugs by South African veterinarians

According to a survey non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents were the most popular analgesic used in South Africa for management of peri-operative pai n, acute post-operative rain and chronic pain. The most popular non-steroid al anti-inflammatory agents are flunixin meglumine and phenylbutazone. The most popular opioid type drug is buprenorphine, followed by morphine. in th e peri-operative setting, analgesic agents were not actively administered t o 86.3 % of cats and 80.7 % of dogs. Analgesic premedications were frequent ly administered, e.g. xylazine or ketamine, but no specific drug was admini stered for post-operative pain. Veterinarians need to critically review the ir anaesthetic and analgesic practices in order to achieve balanced anaesth esia.