Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
How UK vets prescribed pain relief for pets during surgery in 2013
By Hunt, J. R. et al.·Published in Veterinary Record·2015·University of Bristol, School of Veterinary Sciences Langford BS40 5DU UK, United Kingdom·View original on Crossref →
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Original publication title: Prescription of perioperative analgesics by UK small animal veterinary surgeons in 2013
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A survey of UK veterinarians in 2013 found that nearly all of them (about 98%) prescribed pain relief medications, like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), for dogs and cats undergoing neutering. Most vets also used a combination of opioids and NSAIDs for pain management. They believed that neutering was more painful for dogs than for cats, and they prescribed fewer opioids and NSAIDs for cats after surgery. Overall, the increase in pain relief prescriptions since earlier surveys suggests that animal welfare has improved.
People also search for: dog neutering pain relief · cat neutering recovery · NSAIDs for dogs after surgery
Abstract
Data from a survey conducted in 1996–1997 suggested a low level of perioperative analgesic administration to cats and dogs in the UK. In order to evaluate current practice and attitudes with regards to perioperative analgesic prescription, a cross‐sectional survey of UK practising small animal veterinary surgeons was undertaken in spring 2013. Four thousand one hundred paper questionnaires were distributed and the survey was made available online. Seven hundred and twenty valid responses were received and analysed. All respondents had access to at least one non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drug (NSAID) and one opioid within their practice. Respondents considered analgesic efficacy, and degree of intraoperative pain, the most important factors governing their selection of NSAID and opioid analgesics. Perioperative NSAIDs were administered by approximately 98 per cent of respondents to dogs and cats undergoing neutering. Multimodal (opioid+NSAID) analgesia was prescribed by the majority of respondents. Neutering was considered more painful in dogs than in cats, and lower rates of opioid and postdischarge NSAID prescription were reported for cats. Orthopaedic, abdominal and dental surgeries were considered equally painful in dogs and cats. Local analgesic techniques were not commonly used. Analgesic prescription has increased since previous surveys, which should translate to improved animal welfare.
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Search related cases →Original publication on Crossref: https://doi.org/10.1136/vr.102834