Post-Operative Pain Management in Dogs Using Tramadol and Nimesulide: Comparative Evaluation of the Anti-Nociceptive Effects of Tramadol and Nimesulide

Effective management of post-operative pain is essential for ensuring animal welfare and promoting early recovery following surgical procedures. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the analgesic efficacy of tramadol and nimesulide, administered alone and in combination, for the management of post-operative pain following ovariohysterectomy in dogs. Twenty healthy female dogs were randomly divided into four groups of five animals each. Group I received tramadol (2 mg/kg, IM), Group II received nimesulide (4 mg/kg, IM), Group III received a combination of tramadol (2 mg/kg, IM) and nimesulide (4 mg/kg, IM), and Group IV received a reduced-dose combination of tramadol (1 mg/kg, IM) and nimesulide (2 mg/kg, IM). All drugs were administered immediately after surgery, with tramadol repeated every six hours and nimesulide administered as a single dose. Ovariohysterectomy was performed under general anaesthesia using thiopentone sodium following standard premedication.Post-operative pain was assessed using the Melbourne Pain Scale and Dynamic and Interactive Visual Analogue Scale at predetermined intervals. Clinical, haematological, and biochemical parameters were also evaluated.