NSAIDs in veterinary practice: focus on Carprieve
Abstract
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly used in veterinary practices for their analgesic properties. They are chosen for their ability to reduce inflammation and their antipyretic actions. The widespread use of NSAIDs has meant that the adverse effects of these drugs have become increasingly prevalent and controversial. Adverse effects of this group of medications may be serious if NSAIDs are used in patients improperly, also their benefits may be questioned for achieving optimum effects if client compliance is not correctly followed. This product focus will briefly discuss the most frequently used NSAIDs, their use in veterinary medicine with the focus concentrating on Carprieve (carprofen) and how compliance can be achieved more successfully, ultimately improving the actions of Carprieve (carprofen) and improving the benefits for the patient.
Papich (1997) discusses the use of NSAIDs focusing on their low to moderate intensity analgesic properties and concludes that they are effective, inexpensive and long acting. This makes them desirable within veterinary practices, and they are commonly chosen for their use or management of somatic or integumental pain (Flaherty and MacGillivray, 2007).
NSAIDs mostly work peripherally in the body when administered; this peripheral response inhibits the formation of some of the substances that are involved in the inflammatory response.
When pain occurs inflammation and swelling become activated at the site of pain, and these are the major causes of pain (Hall et al, 2001). When tissues are damaged this causes pain (Figure 1). Pain can be described as physiological, such as a burn or cut to the skin, and in this instance a noxious stimulus is transmitted to the nociceptors to evoke a response, i.e. pain. Pathological pain can be described as tissue damage that has already occurred. This is normally present in an anaesthetized animal undergoing surgery. Pathological and physiological pain can be categorized further according to where the pain response is occurring: somatic; visceral; or neuropathic pain.
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