Meloxican and prednisone: the effects of orally short term treatment on the intra-ocular pressure levels in dogs

Abstract

In order to observe a possible ocular hypertension associated with the use of anti-inflammatory drugs, 28 beagle dogs were selected. For evaluation of intraocular pressure before treatment, the totality of animals had their intraocular pressure measured at 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. on day 0 (zero). On the following day 10 animals received meloxican on dose of 0.2 mg/Kg and 0.1 mg/Kg on the four remaining days. Nine dogs received prednisone on dose of 1,0 mg/Kg during five days. Nine dogs received only wet feeding. On the fifth day of treatment the totality of dogs had their intraocular pressure measured at 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. For all groups, including control-group, the highest average values of intraocular pressure were observed on day 5 (five). The difference between the two evaluations of intra-ocular pressure (8 a.m. and 4 p.m) was significant, independent of treatment and of the considered day. The use of both steroidal or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory were not capable of causing ocular hypertension and some factors can be pointed out, such as route of administration, dosage and duration of therapy chosen, besides absence of glaucomatous disorder between the selected dogs.