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Pain Management

Effect of intraarticular injection of autologous adipose-derived mesenchymal stem and regenerative cells on clinical signs of chronic osteoarthritis of the elbow joint in dogs.

Summary:

Autologous adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell (AD-MSC) therapy involves harvesting fat from the patient, isolating the stem and regenerative cells, and administering the cells back to the patient. Autologous AD-MSC therapy in veterinary regenerative medicine has been commercially available since 2003. Previously reported results from a blinded, controlled trial in dogs with chronic osteoarthritis of the coxofemoral (hip) joint demonstrated efficacy of a single intraarticular injection of autologous AD-MSC therapy. The primary objective of the current study was to evaluate the effectiveness of this therapy in dogs with chronic osteoarthritis of the humeroradial (elbow) joints and to determine the duration of effect. Fourteen dogs were recruited. Veterinarians assessed each dog for lameness, pain on manipulation, range of motion, and functional disability using a numeric rating scale at baseline and specified intervals up to 180 days after treatment. Statistically significant improvement in outcome measures was demonstrated.

Author & Journal:Black LL, et al, Vet Therapeutics 2008
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Multimodal management of canine osteoarthritis

Author & Journal:Fox, SM, 2nd Ed. CRC Press. 2017
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Pharmacokinetics of oral gabapentin in greyhound dogs.

Summary:

The purpose of this study was to assess the pharmacokinetics of gabapentin in healthy greyhound dogs after single oral doses targeted at 10 and 20mg/kg PO. Six healthy greyhounds were enrolled (3 males, 3 females).

Conclusion:

Gabapentin was rapidly absorbed and eliminated in dogs, indicating that frequent dosing is needed to maintain minimum targeted plasma concentrations.

Author & Journal:KuKanich B, et al, Vet J 2011;187:133-135
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Effectiveness of combined acupuncture and manual therapy relative to no treatment for canine musculoskeletal pain.

Summary:

Despite the rise in popularity of both acupuncture and manual therapy in veterinary medicine, and the increasing number of Canadian veterinarians practising these techniques, there is little research demonstrating their effectiveness. In this repeated measures, therapeutic trial, 47 client-owned dogs with naturally occurring lameness were assessed for clinical response to treatment. Owners were blinded to the treatment schedule and completed questionnaires to assess their dogs’ comfort and mobility.

Conclusion:

Comparison between pre- and post-treatment results demonstrated that combined acupuncture and manual therapy provides immediate short-term improvement in comfort and mobility, as demonstrated by owner observed changes in play behavior (P = 0.015), walking (P < 0.001), trotting (P = 0.002), jumping (P < 0.001), descending stairs (P = 0.003), rising from a lying position (P < 0.001), and reduced stiffness after rest (P < 0.001) or following exercise (P < 0.001). Mood and attitude also improved, but did not attain statistical significance.

Author & Journal:Lane DM, et al, Can Vet J 57(4):407-414, 2016
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Evaluation of polysulfated glycosaminoglycan for the treatment of hip dysplasia in dogs.

Summary:

A double-blinded, controlled clinical study was performed to compare the response of adult dogs affected with hip dysplasia to a placebo and three different dosages of polysulfated glycosaminoglycan (PSGAG): 2.2 mg/kg, 4.4 mg/kg, and 8.8 mg/kg. Dogs were randomly assigned to treatment groups. The drug was administered intramuscularly every 3 to 5 days for a total of eight injections. Response to treatment was analyzed based on changes in lameness, range of motion (ROM), and pain on manipulation of the hip joints.

Conclusion:

Eighty-four met all criteria for inclusion in the study. Dogs that were given 4.4 mg/kg of PSGAG showed the greatest improvement in orthopedic scores, whereas dogs in the placebo group showed the smallest improvement; however, the differences in clinical improvement between the four treatment groups were not statistically significant. No local or systemic adverse reactions related to the drug were observed.

Author & Journal:DeHaan JJ, et al, Vet Surg 1994;23:177–181
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A prospective, randomized masked, and placebo-controlled efficacy study of intraarticular allogeneic adipose stem cells for the treatment of osteoarthritis in dogs

Summary:

This report describes a prospective, randomized, blinded, and placebo-controlled clinical efficacy study of intraarticular allogeneic adipose stem cells for the treatment of dogs with OA.

Conclusion:

The study’s primary objective was achieved and the data confirm that the target dose of allogeneic adipose-derived MSCs delivered intraarticularly to one or two joints was statistically significantly more effective than a placebo in reducing clinical signs of OA in dogs. Both veterinarians and dog owners evaluated stem cell-treated dogs as more often experiencing treatment success than placebo-treated dogs.

Author & Journal:Harman R, et al, Frontiers Vet Sci 2016
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Pharmacokinetics of tramadol and the metabolite O-desmethyltramadol in dogs.

Summary:

Tramadol is an analgesic and antitussive agent that is metabolized to O-desmethyltramadol (M1), which is also active. Tramadol and M1 exert their mode of action through complex interactions between opiate, adrenergic, and serotonin receptors. The pharmacokinetics of tramadol and M1 were examined following intravenous and oral tramadol administration to six healthy dogs, as well as intravenous M1 to three healthy dogs. The calculated parameters for half-life, volume of distribution, and total body clearance were 0.80 +/- 0.12 h, 3.79 +/- 0.93 L/kg, and 54.63 +/- 8.19 mL/kg/min following 4.4 mg/kg tramadol HCl administered intravenously. The systemic availability was 65 +/- 38% and half-life 1.71 +/- 0.12 h following tramadol 11 mg/kg p.o. M1 had a half-life of 1.69 +/- 0.45 and 2.18 +/- 0.55 h following intravenous and oral administration of tramadol. Following intravenous M1 administration the half-life, volume of distribution, and clearance of M1 were 0.94 +/- 0.09 h, 2.80 +/- 0.15 L/kg, and 34.93 +/- 5.53 mL/kg/min respectively. Simulated oral dosing regimens at 5 mg/kg every 6 h and 2.5 mg/kg every 4 h predict tramadol and M1 plasma concentrations consistent with analgesia in humans; however, studies are needed to establish the safety and efficacy of these doses.

Author & Journal:KuKanich B, et al, J Vet Pharmacol Therap 2004;27:239-246
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Effect of acupuncture on pain and quality of life in canine neurological and musculoskeletal diseases.

Summary:

This prospective study investigated the effects of acupuncture alone or combined with analgesics in chronic pain and quality of lifeassessed by owners for up to 24 weeks in 181 dogs with neurological and musculoskeletal diseases. The scores before and after the onset of treatment were evaluated using the Wilcoxon test and the evolution of success was evaluated by Kaplan-Meier curves. Differences were considered significant at P < 0.05.

Conclusion:

The success rates for Helsinki chronic pain index (HCPI), quality of life assessment, and visual analog scales (VAS) for pain and locomotion were 79%, 84%, 78%, and 78% of the animals, respectively, when both diseases and groups of treatment were combined. Dogs with musculoskeletal disorders had greater improvement in HCPI (P = 0.003) and VAS locomotion (P = 0.045) than those with neurological disorders. Use of acupuncture alone or in combination with analgesics reduced pain and improved quality of life in dogs with neurological and musculoskeletal diseases.

Author & Journal:Silva NE, et al, Can Vet J 58(9):941-951, 2017
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