@article{article_1740346, title={Administration of Preoperative Meloxicam and Firocoxib on Postoperative Analgesia and Inflammatory Markers in Dogs Undergoing Ovariohysterectomy}, journal={Balıkesir Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi}, volume={14}, pages={772–780}, year={2025}, DOI={10.53424/balikesirsbd.1740346}, author={Şahin, Osman Alp and Öztürk, Buse and Ayalp, Aslıhan and Güner, Barış}, keywords={dog, firocoxib, meloxicam, NLR, pain}, abstract={Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the postoperative analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of meloxicam and firocoxib in dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy (OHE). Materials and Methods: Thirty healthy female dogs were randomly assigned to three groups: 0.2 mg/kg subcutaneous meloxicam, 5 mg/kg oral firocoxib, or no preoperative non-steroidal antiinflammatory drug (control). The Glasgow Composite Measure Pain Scale – Short Form (CMPS-SF), rectal temperature, and heart rate were recorded preoperatively and at 1, 2, 3, 4, and 24 hours postoperatively. Blood samples were collected at each time point to assess cortisol levels and calculate the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and systemic immune-inflammation index (SII). Results: CMPS-SF scores significantly increased at 1 hour postoperatively in all groups (p <0.05), with the control group showing the highest pain scores. Scores remained elevated at 4 hours. Cortisol levels increased approximately 4-fold at 1 hour, 5-fold at 2 hours, and 4-fold at 4 hours postoperatively, returning to baseline by 24 hours (p <0.05). Rectal temperature and heart rate exhibited a gradual increase toward preoperative values following an initial decrease in the early postoperative period. Rescue analgesia was required in three dogs—two in the firocoxib group and one in the control group. At 24 hours, NLR and SII were significantly higher in the control group compared to the treatment groups (p <0.05). However, no significant differences were observed between groups in CMPS-SF scores or cortisol levels during the first 4 postoperative hours. Conclusion: Both meloxicam and firocoxib were effective in reducing systemic inflammatory responses at 24 hours post-OHE. Although there were no significant differences in early postoperative pain scores or cortisol levels, meloxicam group required fewer instances of rescue analgesia compared to the firocoxib group.}, number={3}, publisher={Balıkesir University}, organization={Balıkesir University Scientific Research Projects Unit}