Comparison of the effects of three different analgesia methods on pain score and some clinical parameters in dogs through ovariohysterectomy

Ovariohysterectomy is one of the most common operative procedures in dogs. As in every operative intervention, pain occurs in the postoperative period. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of commonly used analgesia methods for the management of pain in dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy. Accordingly, local anesthetics were added to the first group after ovariohysterectomy in addition to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. In the second group, only nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were administered. In the third group, only local anesthetics were administered. In this way, pain scores were determined using the Glasgow Pain Scale in dogs with different analgesia methods. At the same time, clinical parameters that may be affected by pain status were also measured in the study. Vital signs, number of steps, appetite, first defecation and urination times were also recorded. With the measured and recorded data, it was also aimed to observe whether the pain occurring in the postoperative period was positively correlated with the recorded pain scores. All operations performed within the scope of the study were performed by the same operator. Statistical studies of the recorded data were performed. Statistical evaluations revealed that the least pain was observed in the first group and the most pain occurred in the third group. The relationship between vital and clinical parameters measured in the study and postoperative pain was also investigated and discussed. Considering the effectiveness of the analgesia methods applied in the study on pain, it was concluded that the combined use of local anesthetics in addition to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is highly successful in pain management and should be preferred.