The gastrointestinal and myocardial adverse effects of flunixin meglumine, ketoprofen and phenylbutazone in Iranian Cashmere (Rayeni) goats: clinical, hematological, biochemical, and pathological findings

Flunixin meglumine, ketoprofen, and phenylbutazone are classified with the group of compounds commonly referred to as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).The purpose of this study was to evaluate the gastrointestinal and myocardial adverse effects of these three NSAIDs when administered IV to clinically normal Iranian Cashmere (Rayeni) goats. The experiments were conducted on 20 clinically normal adult female, goats. Goats were randomly assigned to four groups: saline (n=5), flunixin meglumine (n=5), ketoprofen (n=5), and phenylbutazone (n=5). Flunixin meglumine, ketoprofen, and phenylbutazone were administered at dose rate of 2.2, 4, and 4 mg/kg, respectively. Drug administration was initiated at 08:00 on day 1 and continued every 12 h for 12 days. Daily blood and urine samples were collected from all goats for hematologic indices, enzymes activity, and urinalysis. Immediately after euthanasia, complete necropsy was performed on all goats and gross lesions were recorded. Clinically no apparent abnormalities observed on physical examinations, except some discomfort, anorexia, and diarrhea in ketoprofen- and phenylbutazone-treated groups. Mean total and differential of leukocytes, red blood cells (RBC), and packed cell volume (PCV) remained within normal limits for all groups. Serum biochemical analyses showed a treatment effect on aspartate aminotransferase (AST), ã glutamyl transferase (GGT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities in all treatment groups but not on creatinine and urea. Urinalysis was not affected by treatment effect. No gross or histopathologic lesions were observed in saline-treated goats during study. Comparing of gastrointestinal and myocardial lesions showed significant difference between treatment groups. Macroscopic and microscopic findings were described in the text. Considering gastrointestinal and myocardial lesions, the toxic potential of the NSAIDs compared in this study was greatest for phenylbutazone, less for ketoprofen and least for flunixin meglumine. Administration of long duration of NSAIDs in small ruminants can lead to severe gastrointestinal and myocardial adverse effects, thus must be used with cautions.