Vedaprofen therapy in cats with upper respiratory tract infection or following ovariohysterectomy.

Objectives: The antipyretic and analgesic efficacy of vedaprofen (at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg) was evaluated after repeated once-daily administration (for three or five days) to 80 cats with upper respiratory tract disease or 302 cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy.

Methods: Both clinical trials were randomised, double blinded and placebo controlled.

Results: In the upper respiratory tract disease trial, vedaprofen produced a significant reduction in rectal temperature when compared with cats administered antimicrobial treatment only. This antipyretic activity lasted at least four hours after administration on the first day of treatment (day 0) and at least eight hours on day 1 and day 2. Significantly more cats in the treatment group were classified as having returned to normal on day 5, day 6 and day 7 compared with the placebo group. In the ovariohysterectomy trial, scores for behaviour (on day 1, day 2 and day 3) and appetite (on day 1 and day 2) were significantly better in the vedaprofen group than in the placebo-treated cats.

Clinical Significance: Vedaprofen produced a clinically relevant reduction in body temperature and a more rapid return to normality in cats with upper respiratory tract disease. Vedaprofen treatment also resulted in more rapid recovery, presumably through the relief of pain and inflammation, in cats that had undergone soft tissue surgery.