Perceived efficacy of analgesic drug regimens used for koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) in Australia.

Abstract

Recent publications report that some therapeutic drugs used in koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) have poor oral absorption and are rapidly eliminated. Therefore, information on both the analgesic drug dosage regimens used to treat koalas in Australia and koala caretakers' perceptions of the efficacy of these drugs to control pain was collected for the purpose of identifying the most popular analgesics to prioritize future analgesic pharmacokinetic studies for this species. A one-page, double-sided questionnaire was distributed both electronically and by mail to Australian koala care facilities such as zoos and wildlife hospitals. Information was received from 13 respondents. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) were the most frequently used analgesics, followed by full micro- and partial opioid receptor agonists and acetaminophen with or without codeine. The full micro-opioid receptor agonists and acetaminophen with or without codeine were most consistently considered efficacious, with wider variation in perceived efficacy of the NSAIDs. Analgesic drug combinations were generally thought efficacious.

• Authors: Tyron de Kauwe, Benjamin Kimble, Merran Govendir
• Journal: Journal of zoo and wildlife medicine : official publication of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians (J Zoo Wildl Med) Vol. 45 Issue 2 Pg. 350-6 (Jun 2014) ISSN: 1042-7260 [Print] United States
• PMID: 25000697 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Analgesics

Topics

• Analgesics (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Animals
• Animals, Zoo
• Australia (epidemiology)
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Drug Therapy, Combination
• Pain (drug therapy, epidemiology, veterinary)
• Phascolarctidae