Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2003; 16(04): 232-237
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1632785
Original Research
Schattauer GmbH

Assessing the efficacy of long-term administration of Tolfenamic acid in dogs undergoing femoral head and neck excision

B. Charette
1   Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, University of Montreal, St-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
,
J. Dupuis
1   Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, University of Montreal, St-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
,
M. Moreau
1   Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, University of Montreal, St-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
,
S. Daminet
2   Department of Medicine and Clinical Biology of Small Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Belgium
,
P. Hébert
3   Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging and Cytopathology, Clackamas, Oregon, USA
,
E. Grisneaux
1   Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, University of Montreal, St-Hyacinthe, Quebec, Canada
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received 28 February 2003

Accepted 30 May 2003

Publication Date:
22 February 2018 (online)

Zoom Image

Summary

Femoral head and neck excision (FHNE) is a salvage procedure routinely performed when severe osteoarthritis is present and clinical signs cannot be managed by conservative treatment, or when total hip replacement is cost prohibitive for the owners. The purpose of the study reported herein was to evaluate the adverse effects and efficacy of long-term administration of Tolfenamic acid in dogs undergoing FHNE. Twenty dogs admitted with clinical signs associated with bilateral hip degenerative joint disease and weighing more than 20 kg were included in the study. Ten dogs received Tolfenamic acid for four months following FHNE and 10 dogs received a placebo. At four months after surgery, the placebo group had a significant decrease, compared with pre-operative values, in peak vertical force (PVF) (60.38% BW vs 64.77% BW, p = 0.046), and a significant decrease in vertical impulse (VI) (8.38% BW x sec. vs 9.64% BW x sec., p = 0.023). There was not any significant difference between pre- and post-operative results in the Tolfenamic acid group regarding PVF (65.13% BW vs 63.31% BW, p = 0.296) and VI (8.24% BW x sec. vs 8.71% BW x sec., p = 0.945). A significant difference was not found between the two groups with regard to endoscopic evaluation of mucosal lesions. Subjectively, the owners of the dogs in the Tolfenamic acid group reported an earlier use of the limb, a more compliant dog during physical therapy and a more rapid return to a ‘normal’ gait. Long-term administration of Tolfenamic acid may therefore be recommended, following FHNE, to improve the results of the operation.