Emprego do tramadol pelas vias intramuscular ou epidural em cães submetidos a cirurgia ortopédica

Abstract

Epidural and intramuscular tramadol were studied in adult, male and female healthy dogs that were submitted to hind limbs orthopedic surgery. In the epidural study cardiovascular and respiratory functions remained stable and analgesia was adequate during the intra and postoperative periods. For the intramuscular study, tramadol was compared to morphine as premedications. Compared to the morphine, tramadol produced no sedation or vomiting, higher dose of thiopental to produce anesthetic induction and similar analgesia. Time to extubate was shorter with tramadol. Cardiovascular effects were similar with both drugs, but tramadol produced less respiratory depression than morphine. It was conclued that epidural tramadol produces satisfatory analgesia during surgical period and four hours postoperativelly in dogs submitted to stifle surgery. Intramuscular tramadol shows different behavioral effects compared to morphine (no vomiting, no tranquilization/sedation, and possibility of ocasional superficial anesthetic plane), but analgesia and cardiovascular effects are similar. Respiratory function is less depressed by intramuscular tramadol related to morphine. It seems to be that epidural tramadol produces better intraoperative analgesia than when it is used by the intramuscular route in dogs submitted to hind limbs orthopedic surgery.