Dr Duncan Lascelles to deliver webinar on switching NSAIDs

Dr Duncan Lascelles, Professor of Translational Pain Research and Management, will be delivering a virtual webinar on safely switching between non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) in canine patients on December 14^th at 8pm. Sponsored by Vetoquinol UK, manufacturers of Cimalgex®, the webinar will consider the reasons for switching medications and the pharmacological properties which affect the decision process. The session aims to better equip vets to make a more informed decision that balances risk of side effects with achieving optimal patient pain management and welfare.

Switching between medications in this class is complex, as Duncan explains, ‘NSAIDs remain a useful therapeutic tool for pain management in companion animals, particularly for conditions such as canine osteoarthritis. Although their benefits are clear at a group level, individual animal response can vary significantly; this is one of the key reasons why a clinician may switch a patient to a different NSAID, but due to concerns around adverse effects this often involves a washout period which can lead to gaps in pain management.’

Duncan has an extensive background in companion animal analgesia, including a PhD in pre-emptive/perioperative analgesia from the University of Bristol, a surgical residency at the University of Cambridge and a post-doctoral research position in feline pain and analgesia at the University of Florida. Duncan is currently Professor in Small Animal Surgery and Pain Management at North Carolina State University and continues to play a pivotal role in furthering the research around pain control in both companion animals and human medicine, having authored more than 180 peer-reviewed research papers.

In the webinar, hosted on the WebinarVet platform, Duncan will give an overview of the ‘Whens, Whys and Hows’ of switching NSAIDs in dogs. This will include findings from scientific studies and recommendations around switching safely, including when the washout period should be observed.  

As an additional resource, Vetoquinol UK has put together a free guide for vets on the topic, also authored by Dr Lascelles. This has been designed to be a useful point of reference for practicing vets. The information can also be accessed as a clinic poster with a practical flowchart detailing important decision points.

Felicity Holford MRCVS, vet and Product Manager at Vetoquinol UK, expands on the importance of such resources, ‘Vets are prescribing NSAIDs every day, but the existing information around switching and washout periods is limited and can be difficult to apply in practice. The webinar and guide will go into the science around the topic and the poster is there to act as a handy prompt for day-to-day use.’

Veterinary professionals can register their interest for the webinar here: https://bit.ly/Vetoquinol-WebinarVet