The Effects of Epidural Deracoxib on the Ground Reaction Forces in an Acute Stifle Synovitis Model

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate epidurally administered deracoxib and its ability to mediate clinical signs and effects of a sodium urate crystal-induced stifle synovitis in dogs, and to compare the effects of epidural versus subcutaneously injected deracoxib. Study Design: Experimental, randomized, double-blinded, placebo controlled modified cross over design. Animals or Study Population: 24 random source adult mixed breed dogs, 14 males and 10 females. Methods: Sodium urate crystals were used to create a stifle synovitis model to evaluate the effectiveness of administered deracoxib. Dogs were divided into four treatment groups; 3 mg/kg epidural deracoxib, 1.5 mg/kg epidural deracoxib, 3 mg/kg subcutaneous deracoxib and a placebo group (the vehicle for deracoxib was used). Force plate and subjective evaluations were performed at Time 0, 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 hours post treatment. A repeated measures ANOVA with Bonferroni-corrected post-hoc comparisons was used to determine treatment effects. Results: Overall, peak vertical force (PVF) and vertical impulse (VI) were both significantly higher in all deracoxib treated dogs compared to placebo. Both 3 mg/kg epidural and subcutaneous deracoxib had significantly higher PVF and VI than 1.5 mg/kg epidural deracoxib. The overall pain score for all deracoxib treated dogs was significantly lower than the placebo treated dogs. Conclusions: Epidural deracoxib is effective at providing analgesia in an acute pain model, but it does not appear to be more effective than systemic administration. Clinical Relevance: The use of injectable deracoxib is effective in providing analgesia in acute inflammatory conditions of the stifle joint in dogs.