The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of oral transmucosal (OTM) cannabidiol (CBD), in addition to a multimodal pharmacological treatment for chronic osteoarthritis-related pain in dogs. Twenty-one dogs were randomly divided into two groups: in group CBD (n = 9), OTM CBD (2 mg kg⁻¹ every 12 h) was included in the therapeutic protocol (anti-inflammatory drug, gabapentin, amitriptyline), while in group C (n = 12), CBD was not administered. Dogs were evaluated by owners based on the Canine Brief Pain Inventory scoring system before treatment initiation (T0), and one (T1), two (T2), four (T3) and twelve (T4) weeks thereafter. Pain Severity Score was significantly lower in CBD than in C group at T1 (p = 0.0002), T2 (p = 0.0043) and T3 (p = 0.016). Pain Interference Score was significantly lower in CBD than in C group at T1 (p = 0.0002), T2 (p = 0.0007) and T4 (p = 0.004). Quality of Life Index was significantly higher in CBD group at T1 (p = 0.003). The addition of OTM CBD showed promising results. Further pharmacokinetics and long-term studies in larger populations are needed to encourage its inclusion into a multimodal pharmacological approach for canine osteoarthritis-related pain.

Although opioid analgesics are the usual drugs to treat post-surgical pain, acupuncture has also been demonstrated to relieve various pain syndromes. The present pilot study aims to investigate the efficacy of electroacupuncture compared with a conventional opioid compound, butorphanol, for postoperative pain treatment in dogs undergoing elective ovariohysterectomy. Twelve dogs were randomly allocated into two groups. Dogs received either electroacupuncture stimulation (16 and 43 Hz) at Shen Shu, Chang Shu, He Gu, Tai Yuan, Zu San Li, Yang Ling Quan, and Bai Hui acupoints, while control dogs were treated with butorphanol. Cardiovascular and respiratory parameters were recorded for both groups during operation. Plasma β-endorphin concentrations were evaluated before surgery (baseline) and up to 24 h later. For each dog, pain was measured according to a dedicated subjective pain scoring system. Plasma β-endorphin levels in dogs receiving electroacupuncture increased significantly against baseline values after 1 and 3 h after surgery. Moreover, the end-tidal isoflurane concentration needed for second ovary traction was significantly lower in acupuncture-treated dogs than control animals. All animals having electroacupuncture experienced prolonged analgesia, over 24 h at least, while four out of six dogs treated with butorphanol needed post-surgical ketorolac and tramadol supplementation to their pain relief. The results obtained from the present investigation showed some evidence for electroacupuncture as an alternative technique to provide postoperative analgesia in dogs.

Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant drug, which presents an established clinical efficacy in human patients for the management of refractory partial seizures, secondarily generalized tonic-clonic seizures, and for the control of chronic neuropathic pain. Gabapentin was synthesized as a structural analogue of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA, with GABA-mimetic effects, able to cross the blood–brain barrier. In veterinary medicine, is extra-label used in combination with other treatments to control seizures when other drugs are no longer effective or become toxic or for neuropathic pain treatment and anxiety. This review aimed to clarify gabapentin use and pharmacokinetic aspects to promote conscious use in dogs, cats, and horses. In dogs, gabapentin was beneficial in the treatment of epilepsy, as well as chronic, neuropathic, and post-operative pain, as well as anxiety. In cats, it showed efficacy in post-ovariohysterectomy-related pain and in anxiety management. In horses, gabapentin has been administered as an analgesic for chronic pain management. In conclusion, when used in combination with other drugs, gabapentin can be considered an interesting therapeutic option for the treatment of neuropathic diseases and analgesia in postoperative and chronic pain. However, despite its beneficial use in different clinical settings, further trials and pharmacokinetic studies are needed for the definition of an effective dosage regimen through proper pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic correlation in dogs, cats, and horses.