Fentanyl patch versus tramadol for the control of postoperative pain in canine ovariectomy and mastectomy

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the postoperative analgesic efficacy of fentanyl patches versus subcutaneous tramadol after canine ovariectomy, with and without unilateral mastectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 40 female dogs were included in the present study, all of which were domesticated, healthy and 4–12 years of age. The animals were divided into four groups (n = 10 per group) based on the surgery and the analgesic protocol used: the TO group only underwent ovariectomy, and received postoperative tramadol; the TM group underwent both ovariectomy and mastectomy, and received postoperative tramadol; the FO group only underwent ovariectomy, and received fentanyl patches; and the FM group underwent both ovariectomy and mastectomy, and received fentanyl patches. Postoperative pain was evaluated every 4 h for 24 h using a numeric analogue scale (NAS) and a modified Glasgow Composite Measure Pain Scale Short Form (CMPS‐SF). RESULTS: The results of the present study showed that patients in all four groups tolerated postoperative surgical stress well. Analysis of variance for repeated measures did not show significant differences in the NAS scores and in Glasgow CMPS‐SF between groups in terms of pain scores or rescue analgesia. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: These results indicated that the analgesic effect of the fentanyl patch was similar to that of subcutaneous (SC) tramadol in female dogs after ovariectomy, with and without unilateral mastectomy, suggesting that the fentanyl patch may represent a valid supplementary tool for the control of postoperative pain in animals after surgery.