Fig. 1

Schematic outline of the study protocol. Using a blinded, randomized, two period crossover design, four cats were allocated to control (saline) or ER-Bup (0.6 mg/kg, subcutaneously) treatment groups, in random order. The cats underwent a unilateral forelimb onychectomy per period with a washout/recovery period between. Observational pain scores and kinetic data were collected prior to (baseline) and at intervals for 72 h following surgery (total of 5 days of data collection). All cats underwent daily walking and jumping training on the PSW for approximately 30 days prior to study initiation. Following the washout/recovery period training sessions were again performed for 12 days prior to surgery. The washout/recovery period was 81 days