Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
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J. Am. Vet. Med. Assoc. · Jul 2008
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyMulticenter, randomized controlled trial of pain-related behaviors following routine neutering in dogs.
To evaluate the degree of postoperative pain in dogs undergoing elective castration or ovariohysterectomy (OHE); determine whether an association exists between surgeon experience, incision length, or surgery duration and degree of postoperative pain; and determine whether analgesic treatment decreases expression of postoperative pain behaviors. ⋯ Results suggested that dogs expressed behaviors suggestive of pain following OHE and castration, that analgesic treatment mitigated the expression of pain-related behaviors, and that surgeon experience and surgery duration did not have any effect on expression of pain-related behaviors.
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To evaluate pituitary-adrenal function in critically ill dogs with sepsis, severe trauma, and gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV). ⋯ Biochemical abnormalities of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis indicative of adrenal gland or pituitary gland insufficiency were common in critically ill dogs, whereas exaggerated responses to ACTH administration were uncommon. Acutely ill dogs with Delta-cortisol < or = 83 nmol/L may be more likely to require vasopressors as part of the treatment plan.
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J. Am. Vet. Med. Assoc. · Jul 2008
Perceptions and priorities of owners of dogs with heart disease regarding quality versus quantity of life for their pets.
To describe the relative importance of pets' quality versus quantity of life among owners of dogs with heart disease. ⋯ Results indicated that quality of life is highly important to owners of dogs with heart disease. Owners' priorities partly depend on owner age and the pet's clinical circumstances; ongoing client-veterinarian communication is important to optimize treatment success as perceived by owners.
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J. Am. Vet. Med. Assoc. · Jun 2008
Randomized Controlled TrialEffect of orally administered tramadol alone or with an intravenously administered opioid on minimum alveolar concentration of sevoflurane in cats.
OBJECTIVE-To compare the effect of oral administration of tramadol alone and with IV administration of butorphanol or hydromorphone on the minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of sevoflurane in cats. DESIGN-Crossover study. ANIMALS-8 Healthy 3-year-old cats. ⋯ CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE-Administration of tramadol, butorphanol, or hydromorphone reduced the MAC of sevoflurane in cats, compared with that in cats treated with saline solution. The reductions detected were likely mediated by effects of the drugs on opioid receptors. An additional reduction in MAC was not detected when tramadol was administered with butorphanol or hydromorphone.