While the current tools to assess canine postoperative pain using physiological and behavioural parameters are reliable, an objective method such as the parasympathetic tone activity (PTA) index could improve postoperative care. The aim of the study was to determine the utility of the PTA index in assessing postoperative analgaesia. Thirty healthy bitches of different breeds were randomly allocated into three groups for analgaesic treatment: the paracetamol group (GPARAC, n = 10) received 15 mg/kg b.w., the carprofen group (GCARP, n = 10) 4 mg/kg b.w., and the meloxicam group (GMELOX, n = 10) 0.2 mg/kg b.w. for 48 h after surgery. GPARAC was medicated orally every 8 h, while GCARP and GMELOX were medicated intravenously every 24 h. The PTA index was used to measure the analgaesia–nociception balance 1 h before surgery (baseline), and at 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 36, and 48 h after, at which times evaluation on the University of Melbourne Pain Scale (UMPS) was made. The baseline PTA index was 65 ± 8 for GPARAC, 65 ± 7 for GCARP, and 62 ± 5 for GMELOX. Postoperatively, it was 65 ± 9 for GPARAC, 63 ± 8 for GCARP, and 65 ± 8 for GMELOX. No statistically significant difference existed between baseline values or between values directly after treatments (P = 0.99 and P = 0.97, respectively). The PTA index showed a sensitivity of 40%, specificity of 98.46% and a negative predictive value of 99.07%. Our findings suggest that the PTA index measures comfort and postoperative analgaesia objectively, since it showed a clinical relationship with the UMPS.

While the current tools to assess canine postoperative pain using physiological and behavioural parameters are reliable, an objective method such as the parasympathetic tone activity (PTA) index could improve postoperative care. The aim of the study was to determine the utility of the PTA index in assessing postoperative analgaesia.

Lameness is a painful and debilitating condition that affects dairy cows worldwide. The aim of this study was to determine the plasma concentration of norepinephrine, β-endorphin, and substance P in dairy cows with lameness and different mobility scores (MS). A total of 100 Friesian and Jersey cows with lameness (parity range: 1–6; weight: 400–500 kg; milk yield: 22–28 L a day, and lactation stage less than 230 days) were selected. Animals were selected and grouped according to MS (MS 0–3; n = 25), and plasma concentration of norepinephrine, substance P, and β-endorphin was measured using ELISA. Cows with MS 3 had higher plasma concentrations of norepinephrine and substance P and lower plasma concentrations of β-endorphins when compared to MS 0 cows. Variations in plasma concentration of norepinephrine, substance P, and β-endorphin could be associated with intense pain states in dairy cows with lameness, but are insufficient to differentiate these states from the mildest pain states. Further studies are necessary in order to evaluate the potential use of these biomarkers in the detection of chronic bovine painful conditions.

Lameness is a painful and debilitating condition that affects dairy cows worldwide. The aim of this study was to determine the plasma concentration of norepinephrine, β-endorphin, and substance P in dairy cows with lameness and different mobility scores (MS).

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely used in veterinary medicine. They are used in pain control and in anti-inflammatory and antipyretic therapies. Some NSAIDs, e.g piroxicam, also have a documented anticancer effect. The objective of this study was to evaluate which of the commonly used NSAIDs (etodolac, flunixin, tolfenamic acid, carprofen, and ketoprofen) are cytotoxic to the D-17 cell line of canine osteosarcoma. The viability of the cells was evaluated using the MTT assay. Four independent repetitions were performed and the results are given as the average of these values; EC₅₀ values (half maximal effective concentration) were also calculated. The analysis of results showed that carprofen and tolfenamic acid displayed the highest cytotoxicity. Other drugs either did not provide such effects or they were very poor. For carprofen, it was possible to determine an EC₅₀ which fell within the limits of concentrations obtainable in canine serum after the administration of routinely used doses. The results are promising but further studies should be conducted to confirm them, since this study is only preliminary. The possibility of introducing carprofen and tolfenamic acid into the routine treatment of osteosarcoma in dogs should be considered.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely used in veterinary medicine. They are used in pain control and in anti-inflammatory and antipyretic therapies. Some NSAIDs, e.g piroxicam, also have a documented anticancer effect. The objective of this study was to evaluate which of the commonly used NSAIDs (etodolac, flunixin, tolfenamic acid, carprofen, and ketoprofen) are cytotoxic to the D-17 cell line of canine osteosarcoma.

In canine and feline populations, the number of neoplasm cases continues to increase around the world. Attempts are being made in centres of research to identify new biomarkers that speed up and improve the quality of oncological diagnostics and therapy in human and animal tumour patients. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is a promising biomarker with increasing relevance to human oncology, but as yet with less application in veterinary oncology. The expression of COX-2 increases significantly during pathological processes involving inflammation, pain or fever. It is also overexpressed in humans presenting various types of tumours and in selected types of tumours in animals, particularly in dogs. This article discusses the expression of COX-2 in canine and feline tumours, the importance of COX-2 as a biomarker with diagnostic, therapeutic, prognostic and predictive relevance in oncology, and the clinical significance of inhibiting COX-2 overexpression in tumours.

In canine and feline populations, the number of neoplasm cases continues to increase around the world. Attempts are being made in centres of research to identify new biomarkers that speed up and improve the quality of oncological diagnostics and therapy in human and animal tumour patients. Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is a promising biomarker with increasing relevance to human oncology, but as yet with less application in veterinary oncology. The expression of COX-2 increases significantly during pathological processes involving inflammation, pain or fever. It is also overexpressed in humans presenting various types of tumours and in selected types of tumours in animals, particularly in dogs. This article discusses the expression of COX-2 in canine and feline tumours, the importance of COX-2 as a biomarker with diagnostic, therapeutic, prognostic and predictive relevance in oncology, and the clinical significance of inhibiting COX-2 overexpression in tumours.