Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Pain control after dog spinal surgery using epidural gel foam
By Barker, Jessica R et al.·Published in Veterinary surgery : VS·2013·Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, United States·View original on PubMed →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: Evaluation of topical epidural analgesia delivered in gelfoam for postoperative hemilaminectomy pain control.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs with back pain from intervertebral disc disease underwent hemilaminectomy surgery and were treated for pain afterward. Some dogs received a common pain medication called hydromorphone, while others received a topical epidural treatment using morphine and dexmedetomidine delivered through a gel foam. The study found that the combination of both treatments provided better pain relief than either treatment alone. This suggests that while the topical epidural treatment alone isn't enough for pain control, it can be effective when used alongside other pain medications.
People also search for: dog back surgery pain relief · hemilaminectomy recovery dogs · hydromorphone for dog pain management
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate efficacy of a topical epidural analgesia used alone, or in combination with hydromorphone, against a standard pain protocol for the 48 hours immediately after hemilaminectomy. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized, blinded, controlled, clinical trial. ANIMALS: Dogs (n = 30) with thoracolumbar intervertebral disc disease treated with hemilaminectomy. METHODS: Dogs were randomly divided into 3 groups: group 1 received intermittent hydromorphone postoperatively, group 2 received a topical epidural of preservative-free morphine and dexmedetomidine administered via gel foam, group 3 received both forms of analgesia. All dogs were monitored and assessed for pain for 48 hours immediately postoperatively. Data were analyzed using MANOVA and Wilcoxon Rank Sum Tests. RESULTS: There was a significant temporal difference in treatment groups 1 and 3 when using a 0-10 pain scale (MANOVA, P = .02). There was also a significant difference at the 48th hour postoperatively between groups 1 and 3 (Wilcoxon Rank Sum Test). CONCLUSION: Topical epidural of preservative-free morphine and dexmedetomidine administered via gelfoam is not sufficient analgesia alone post hemilaminectomy but in conjunction with other opioid administration may lead to superior pain relief.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23216100/