Analgesic effects of carprofen and liposome-encapsulated butorphanol tartrate in Hispaniolan parrots (Amazona ventralis) with experimentally induced arthritis.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the microcrystalline sodium urate (MSU) method for inducing arthritis in parrots and to compare the analgesic efficacy of long-acting liposome-encapsulated butorphanol (LEBT), carprofen, or a combination of both.

ANIMALS:

20 Hispaniolan parrots.

PROCEDURES:

MSU was injected into a tibiotarsal-tarsometatarsal (intertarsal) joint to induce arthritis (time 0). Four treatments were compared (LEBT [15 mg/kg, SC] administered once at time 0; injections of carprofen [3 mg/kg, IM, q 12 h] starting at time 0; administration of LEBT plus carprofen; and a control treatment of saline [0.9% NaCl] solution). Weight load testing and behavioral scoring were conducted at 0, 2, 6, 26, and 30 hours.

RESULTS:

Injection of MSU into the intertarsal joint induced arthritis, which resolved within 30 hours. Treatment with LEBT or LEBT plus carprofen resulted in significantly greater weight-bearing load on the limb with induced arthritis, compared with the control treatment. Treatment with carprofen alone caused a slight but nonsignificant improvement in weight-bearing load on the arthritic limb, compared with the control treatment. Behaviors associated with motor activity and weight bearing differed between the control and analgesic treatments.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE:

Butorphanol was an effective treatment for pain associated with arthritis, but carprofen administered every 12 hours was insufficient. Injection of MSU to induce arthritis in a single joint was a good method for evaluating tonic pain in parrots, and measurement of the weight-bearing load was accurate for assessment of arthritic pain; however, behavioral changes associated with pain were subtle.

• Authors: Joanne R Paul-Murphy, Kurt K Sladky, Lisa A Krugner-Higby, Ben R Stading, Julia M Klauer, Nicholas S Keuler, Carolyn S Brown, Timothy D Heath
• Journal: American journal of veterinary research (Am J Vet Res) Vol. 70 Issue 10 Pg. 1201-10 (Oct 2009) ISSN: 0002-9645 [Print] United States
• PMID: 19795934 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Analgesics, Opioid
• Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
• Carbazoles
• Dosage Forms
• Liposomes
• Uric Acid
• carprofen
• Butorphanol

Topics

• Amazona
• Analgesics, Opioid (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Animals
• Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal (therapeutic use)
• Arthritis (chemically induced, veterinary)
• Bird Diseases (drug therapy)
• Butorphanol (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Carbazoles (therapeutic use)
• Cross-Over Studies
• Dosage Forms
• Liposomes
• Uric Acid (toxicity)