The ability of phenylbutazone and dexamethazone to modulate post operative phenomena in cattle.

Abstract

The ability of Phenylbutazone and Dexamethazone to modulate post operative temperature, limping, joint pain and joint mobility after joint surgery in calves was assessed. Intramuscular injections of 4.4 mg/kg Phenylbutazone or 0.2 mg/kg Dexamethazone were given to two groups of calves immediately after surgical curettage of the left lateral metacarphophalangeal joints. The injections were repeated twice with a three-day interval. The drugs were well tolerated and did not appear to impair thegeneral well being of the calves. Both Dexamethazone and Phenylbutazone were effective in reducing pain, limping and fever with a tendency for Dexamethazone to be more potent than Phenylbutazone. However there was no significant difference between the ability of Dexamethazone and Phenylbutazone to module these phenomena (p<O.OS). The results indicate that controlled use of the anti-inflammatory drugs in the immediate post-operative period in cattle is beneficial.