Effects of oral gabapentin, tramadol and meloxicam on ocular parameters in healthy dogs

Abstract

EFFECTS OF ORAL GABAPENTIN, TRAMADOL AND MELOXICAM ON OCULAR PARAMETERS IN HEALTHY DOGS

The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of oral gabapentin, tramadol and meloxicam on ocular parameters when given to healthy dogs for three days. Nine, healthy, intact male Beagles were utilized for a randomized, blinded, case-crossover study using a 6-sequence, 3-treatment, 3-period design, including a 7-day acclimation period, three, 3-day treatment periods followed by a 7-day washout period. Dogs received gabapentin (10mg/kg PO q8hr), tramadol (3mg/kg PO q8hr), and meloxicam (0.2mg/kg PO once, then 0.1mg/kg PO q24). Ocular parameters were evaluated several times per day. Comparing acclimation period measurements from days 1-5 and 6-7 confirmed that a 5-day acclimation period is required for intraocular pressure values to return to baseline in canine patients (p-value = 0.0021). When accounting for repeat measures within individuals, gabapentin and tramadol significantly affected only IOP (-0.45 and -0.35mmHg, respectively; p-value = 0.038). Although statistically significant, this reduction is not considered clinically significant.