This study aimed to evaluate the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of Arnica montana 12CH comparatively to ketoprofen in dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy. Sixteen female dogs were randomly distributed in two groups of eight animals and received 1mg kg-1 of ketoprofen (TC) and 5 globules of Arnica montana 12CH (TA) by oral route. After 60 minutes, the dogs were sedated with acepromazine (0.05mg kg-1, IV), followed by anesthetic induction with propofol (5mg kg-1 IV) and maintained with isoflurane. Heart rate, respiratory rate, systolic blood pressure, arterial blood gases, serum cortisol concentration and degree of analgesia and inflammation were measured. Additional morphine (0.5mg kg-1IM) was given when the analgesia was insufficient. Statistical analyses were performed by ANOVA and Tukey tests (P<0.05). Cardiopulmonary stability was observed in both treatments during the surgery. The degree of analgesia and inflammation did not differ between groups. Rescue analgesia was administered to two dogs from each group. It was concluded that Arnica montana 12CH provides similar analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects when compared with ketoprofen, suggesting that this treatment is a safe and effective option to dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy.
homeopathy; nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; ovariohysterectomy; canine
