Evaluation of the postoperative recovery in dogs with the complementary use of Arnica Montana CH12

Abstract

Homeophatic Arnica montana have been used for many years to aid postoperative recovery. The aim of this study was to compare the surgical recovery, including pain evaluation, neuroendocrine effects and edema in dogs treated by meloxicam alone or in combination with Arnica montana. Fourteen healthy adult dogs were evaluated in double-blind study, after ovariohysterectomy. All the animals were premedicated with acepromazine 0.2% (0.05 mg/kg iv), followed by anesthetic induction with thiopental (12.5 mg/kg), and maintained with general inhalation anesthesia with halothane. The animals were randomly distributed in 2 groups: seven dogs were treated with of meloxicam (0.2mg/kg iv) administered 5 minutes before the surgical incision, and after surgery for 3 days (GM) and remaining seven dogs, besides this treatment, received five globules of oral Arnica montana CH 12 administered 15 days before the beginning of the experiment and after the surgery (3 times a day) for 3 days (G2). Rescue analgesia (tramadol, 2 mg/kg, im) was allowed. Heart rate, haemoglobin oxygen saturation, respiratory rate, arterial systolic pressure, body temperature, serum cortisol concentration, weight gain, pain score, rescue analgesia and edema were investigated. During the first hour after surgery pain score was lower for the GA when compared with GM. Rescue analgesia was required by 2 of 7 dogs in the GM the first hours postoperative. Edema was lower in GA when compared with GM at 12 hours after surgery. There were no differences between the groups in serum cortisol concentration. According to ours results, the complementary use of Arnica montana CH12 intensify the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects mediated by meloxicam.