Comparison of multiple drug regimens for reduction of synovitis-induced lameness pain in meat-type goats.

OBJECTIVE

This study evaluated the analgesic effects of firocoxib, meloxicam, and transdermal flunixin in meat-type goats with experimentally induced lameness.

METHODS

44 crossbred castrated meat-type goats with an average weight of 35 kg (range, 25 to 43 kg) were enrolled from June to December 2022. Lameness was induced with amphotericin B injected in the distal interphalangeal joint of the left hind lateral claw. After a washout period, lameness was reproduced in the right hind limb. Eleven treatment groups were implemented: firocoxib (0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mg/kg), meloxicam (1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 mg/kg, transdermal flunixin (3.3, 4.2, and 5.0 mg/kg), and positive and negative control. Outcome measurements included infrared thermography, mechanical nociception threshold, plasma cortisol, plasma substance P, kinetic gait analysis, visual lameness scoring, and visual analog scoring and were collected at -24, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, and 72 hours relative to lameness induction.

RESULTS

Transdermal flunixin at 3.3 and 5.0 mg/kg demonstrated the greatest analgesic effects from outcome measurements collected.

CONCLUSIONS

Transdermal flunixin meglumine provides the most effective analgesia for goats with induced lameness, suggesting it may be the preferred option for pain relief in goats with lameness symptoms.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Transdermal flunixin meglumine at 3.3 or 5.0 mg/kg provided the best results for pain mitigation in goats with induced lameness.