Behavior after ovariohysterectomy in the dog: what's normal?

• Published in: Applied animal behaviour science 1997, Vol.51 (1), p.111-128
• Main Authors: Hardie, Elizabeth M., Hansen, Bernard D., Carroll, Gwendolyn S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analgesia; BEHAVIOUR; CHIEN; COMPORTAMIENTO; COMPORTEMENT; DOGS; DOLOR; DOULEUR; DRUGS; MEDICAMENT; MEDICAMENTOS; OVARIECTOMIA; OVARIECTOMIE; OVARIECTOMY; Oxymorphone; PAIN; PERRO; Surgery
• ISSN: 0168-1591; 1872-9045
• DOI: 10.1016/S0168-1591(96)01078-7

The purpose of this study was to establish the post-operative behavior of caged dogs after ovariohysterectomy. Twenty dogs in the Control Group were anesthetized, but did not undergo surgery. Twenty-two dogs in the Surgery Group underwent laparotomy and ovariohysterectomy. Dogs in the Control and Surgery Groups were further assigned on a random basis to either the Oxymorphone or Placebo Groups (Group O or P). Dogs in Group O received oxymorphone (2.5 mg m −2 intramuscularly) as a pre-anesthetic and 6, 12 and 18 h later, while dogs in Group P received isovolumetric doses of sterile saline. The dogs were videotaped for 24 h after anesthesia, during which time a handler interacted with the dog once each hour. At each interaction the handler recorded a sedation and a pain score, using a numerical scoring system. Interactive and non-interactive behavior was observed and quantitated by a single observer using the videotapes. Surgery resulted in an increase in pain score, sedation score and time spent sleeping. During interactions with caregivers, greeting behaviors were decreased after surgery. Differences between Surgery Group dogs given analgesics and those given placebo drugs were readily measured using quantitative behavioral measurements, but were not apparent using the numerical scoring system.