Management with Epidural Catheter for Bone Metastatic Cancer Pain in a Dog

Abstract

Bony metastases frequently cause severe pain; however, there are few reports of the management of cancer pain in the veterinary field. In this paper, we report the clinical management of cancer pain in a dog with thoracic vertebral metastasis from a malignant trichoepithelioma. Conventional pharmacologic treatment with systemic anti-inflammatory drugs, opioids and a bisphosphonate did not achieve adequate pain control. Placement of an indwelling thoracic epidural catheter subsequently used to administer repeated boluses of local anesthetic successfully treated the pain without complication and improved quality of life. Epidural analgesia should be considered an effective mean of treating intractable cancer pain in dogs.