Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Postoperative pain and complications after cat forelimb declaw
By Curcio, Keith et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·2006·Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Evaluation of signs of postoperative pain and complications after forelimb onychectomy in cats receiving buprenorphine alone or with bupivacaine administered as a four-point regional nerve block.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A group of 20 cats underwent surgery to remove their claws (onychectomy) and were given a pain medication called buprenorphine before the procedure. Half of the cats also received a local anesthetic (bupivacaine) to help manage pain in one of their front paws. After the surgery, the cats were monitored for signs of pain and complications like swelling or infection. The results showed that adding the local anesthetic did not reduce pain or complications compared to just using the pain medication alone. Most cats managed well, although a few needed extra pain relief afterward.
People also search for: cat claw removal pain management · onychectomy recovery in cats · buprenorphine for cat surgery pain
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate signs of postoperative pain and complications after forelimb onychectomy in cats receiving buprenorphine alone or with bupivacaine administered as a 4-point regional nerve block. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, double-blind clinical trial. ANIMALS: 20 cats. PROCEDURE: All cats received buprenorphine (0.01 mg/kg [0.004 mg/lb], IM) preoperatively. One forelimb of each cat also received bupivacaine (1 mg/kg [0.45 mg/lb] of a 0.75% solution) administered as a 4-point regional nerve block. After onychectomy, discomfort (lameness, foot reaction, and pain) scores were evaluated by 2 experienced observers 2, 4, 6, 8, 24, and 168 hours postoperatively. Complication (hemorrhage, swelling, and infection) scores were evaluated 24 and 168 hours postoperatively. Surgeries were performed by 1 experienced veterinary surgeon. Rescue analgesia was provided if needed. RESULTS: 6 cats required rescue analgesia postoperatively. There was no difference in discomfort or complication scores between control limbs and limbs in which a nerve block was administered. Additionally, there was no difference in discomfort and complication scores between cats that did or did not require rescue analgesia. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Bupivacaine administered as a 4-point regional nerve block in addition to a systemic analgesic did not decrease discomfort or complication scores in cats undergoing forelimb onychectomy.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16426168/