Okafor, R. O. S*., 1 Ayo, J.O., 2 Fadason, S.T.3 ERYTHROCYTE OSMOTIC FRAGILITY AS A BIOMARKER OF PAIN AND THE EFFECT OF ASCORBIC ACID AND PIROXICAM CO -ADMINISTRATION A PAPER PRESENTED AT THE 54TH ANNUAL CONGRESS OF THE NIGERIAN VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION KANO 2017 Okafor, R. O. S*., 1 Ayo, J.O., 2 Fadason, S.T.3 1 Department of Veterinary Surgery, University of Abuja 2 Department of Veterinary Physiology, 3Department of Veterinary Surgery and Radiology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.   *Corresponding Author: richiestands@hotmail.com, +2348136520153 8TH OCTOBER, 2017

INTRODUCTION Erythrocytes osmotic fragility (EOF) test is defined as the ease with which the erythrocytes (RBCs) burst in hypotonic solution. Pain management and prevention are an integral and fundamental part of quality and compassionate care of patients in veterinary medicine. Piroxicam Ascorbic acid

AIM This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of pain on erythrocyte osmotic fragility (EOF) and the effect of varied doses of ascorbic acid (AA) and piroxicam in orchidectomised savannah brown bucks undergoing post -surgical management.

MATERIALS AND METHOD Eighteen (18), six-months to one-and-half year old savannah brown bucks. Weighing between 6 to 12 kg. The bucks were pre-conditioned for a period of five weeks. The animals were divided into six (6) experimental groups of three (3) animals each. Castration (orchidectomy) was performed on all animals.

MATERIALS AND METHOD CONTD. Table 1. Experimental animals distribution and treatment regimen. GROUP TREATMENT REGIMEN A Piroxicam at 5 mg/kg (IM) and AA at 100 mg/kg (IV), penicillin 20,000 IU/kg and streptomycin, 10 mg/ kg (IM), once daily.   B Piroxicam at 5 mg/kg (IM) and AA at 200 mg/kg (IV), penicillin 20,000 IU/kg and streptomycin, 10 mg/ kg (IM), once daily. C Piroxicam at 10mg/kg (IM) and AA at 100 mg/kg (IV), penicillin 20,000 IU/kg and streptomycin, 10 mg/ kg (IM), once daily. D Piroxicam at 5 mg/kg (IM) and penicillin 20,000 IU/kg and Streptomycin, 10 mg/ kg (IM), once daily. E AA at 100 mg/kg (IV), penicillin 20,000 IU/kg and streptomycin, 10 mg/ kg (IM), once daily. F (CONTROL) Penicillin 20,000 IU/kg and streptomycin 10 mg/ kg (IM), once daily.

MATERIALS and METHODS CONTD. Presurgical preparation, anaesthesia and restraint Surgical procedure Determination of erythrocyte osmotic fragility Statistical analysis

RESULTS and DISCUSSION

CONCLUSION Treatment with a combination of AA and piroxicam ameliorated the degree of EOF better than either of the agents in the orchidectomised savannah brown bucks. It also demonstrated, for the first time in the authors view, that the EOF may serve as a biomarker of pain and may be an important diagnostic tool for evaluating post-surgical pain.

RECOMMENDATION Piroxicam and AA concurrent use should be encouraged in the management of post-operative pain. EOF may serve as a biomarker of pain and may be an important diagnostic tool for evaluating post-surgical pain.

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