Analgesic Effects of Metoclopramide Following Conventional Ovariohysterectomy in Bitches

Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the analgesic properties of Metoclopramide, a frequently prescribed antiemetic, for relieving postoperative pain following ovariohysterectomy in dogs. Study design: Experimental study Animals: Sixteen intact bitches, mean weight 15±2 kg. Methods: The dogs were randomly placed into two equal groups(A and B). Prior to surgery, the dogs in group A, received Metoclopramide (0.5mg/kg/ IV) and the dogs in group B, received the same volume of saline placebo intravenously. Under general anesthesia (acepromazine [0.1mg/kg/IM], thiopental Na [8 mg/kg/IV] and inhalation of 1.6 % isoflurane in 100% oxygen) traditional midline ovariohysterectomy was performed in all dogs. Pain scores were recorded using a University Melbourne Pain Scale (UMPS) before surgery and at 0.5, 1, 3, 6 and 24 hours following surgery. All data were analyzed by SPSS software using the student's t test for normally distributed data and the Mann-Whitney U and Wilcoxon signed-rank test for skewed data. P-value less than 0.05 was considered to be significant. Results: The mean of recovery time was significantly higher in group B (18.6±2.3) in compared to group A (11.4±2.3)(P=0.001). Median pain scores were significantly higher in the group B than group A at all postoperative times (P<0.05) except 24 hours following the surgery (P=0.6). Median postoperative pain scores were significantly higer than preoperative pain scores at 0.5, 1, 3 and 6 hours in both groups (P<0.05). Conclusion: It is concluded that metoclopramide has analgesic properties and can alleviate postoperative pain following ovariohysterectomy in dogs during 6 hours after surgery. In addition following injection of the drug duration of recovery time is significantly decreased.