A COMPARISON OF NALBUPHINE AND PENTAZOCINE IN CONTROLLING POSTOPERATIVE PAIN IN DOGS

Surgical success in most cases is governed by the quality of post-operative pain management. In Pakistan, most veterinary surgeons face a dire predicament as they fail astutely in this regard. Owing to the controlled dispensing of potent narcotics and their potential misuse, an imperative need for effective post-operative analgesic management of pain exists in dogs. 32 dogs were randomly divided into two groups. Group A was injected Nalbuphine @ 0.5 mg/kg post-operatively while Group B was injected Pentazocine @ 3mg/kg. Subjective and objective analysis of pain was conducted by unbiased observers. Vital signs (Temperature, pulse, respiration) were analyzed along with supplementation of hepatic and renal function tests. Objective and subjective analysis of both groups yielded results in the favor of pentazocine. In group A, temperature, pulse and respiration averaged 101.86±0.58oF, 83.46±2.75 per minute and 19.26±2.14 per minute respectively. Group 2 demonstrated temperature, pulse and respiration averages of 102.31±0.40oF, 83.41±2.74 per minute and 19.54±2.14 per minute respectively. Values of hepatic and renal function were also observed to be significantly higher in Nalbuphine treated group. All the results indicate that pentazocine is not only a significantly better analgesic but also has lower hepatotoxic and renal toxic effects.