In order to evaluate the analgesic effects of electro-acupuncture, aquapuncture and morphine pharmacopuncture on VB41and TA5 acupoints, 24 healthy bitches were anesthetized with acepromazine, propofol and isoflurane and underwent ovariohysterectomy. The animals were equally divided into four groups: GDest, GMorf, GElet and CG. After anesthetic stabilization, GDest animals received pure water (0.5ml per acupoint); GMorf received morphine (0.1mg/kg); electroacupuncture was performed in GElet animals, and CG animals were submitted to acupuncture on Sham points. The CG animals received 2.0mg/kg of tramadol after the end of surgery and before the postoperative evaluation through pain scales. Data recorded were: heart and respiratory rate, rectal temperature and blood glucose. Pain was assessed using two different scales, one using numerical analogy and another using variable counting, both performed by three different professionals. Evaluation started immediately after the animal was extubated and was performed every 15 minutes, for 2 hours. There was no statistical difference between groups in all variables studied. It is concluded that electro-acupuncture, aquapuncture and morphine pharmacopuncture produce analgesia similar to tramadol in the postoperative period of bitches undergoing elective ovariohysterectomy.
dog; analgesia; pain; physiological parameters
