Tramadol Vs. Meloxicam in Controlling Postoperative Pain in Dental Extractions in Cats

Objective- To evaluate analgesic effect of meloxicam and tramadol following dental extraction in cats. Design-Experimental study Animals-20 DSH cats diagnosed with 3rd or 4th stage of periodontal disease at their third mandibular premolar were entered the study in order to perform surgical dental extraction. Procedure-A blood sample was taken prior to surgery to assess the level of cortisol and CPK. General anesthesia was performed using ketamine and diazepam (IV, 8.5 mg/kg+0.2 mg/kg) and inhalation of isoflurane following intubation. Third mandibular premolar was extracted in all of the patients using surgical procedure. The cats were randomized into two groups of A receiving meloxicam (IV, 0.2 mg/kg) and B, receiving tramadol (IV, 3 mg/kg) at the time of induction of anesthesia. The analgesics were continued after the surgery for 24 hours. The score of pain were recorded using UMPS and assessment of serum level of cortisol and CPK at 2, 4 and 24 hours after the surgery was performed. Results-The highest score of pain was recorded at 4 hours after the surgery in both groups. Level of cortisol was significantly higher at 4 hours after the procedure in group B (P= 0.035). The increase in CPK was statistically significant at 2,4 and 24 hours after the surgery in group B when compared to group B (P<0.05). Conclusion and Clinical Relevance- It was concluded that although tramadol and meloxicam were both effective in reducing pain at early hours after the surgery, meloxicam was more effective to control pain after the first few hours.