Materials and Methods: Seventeen adult bitches were randomly allocated to two groups. Dexketoprofen trometamol (n=10, 1 mg/kg, IV) was administered to DEX group after recovery of anaesthesia, while those assigned to the control (C) group (n=7) were not given any analgesic after recovery of anesthesia. The ovariohysterectomy procedure was performed on all dogs by the same researcher using a median laparotomy access. Heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR) and body temperature were measured during the postoperative period. Pain level was assessed by two researchers 0, 1, 4 and 6 hours after surgery. A modified University of Melbourne Pain Scale (UMPS) was used to evaluate pain in both groups.

Results: According to modified UMPS test, postoperative first hour pain score decreased statistically significant (P<0.05) in the DEX group. Although at 6th hour pain scale is lower in DEX group, no significant difference was (P>0.05) determined at other measurement times.

Conclusions: The presence of stable vital signs of dexketoprofen administration is a promising finding. Dexketoprofen may used for postoperative pain management in dogs due to its clinical advantage shown by the pain scale.