Fig. 1

Flow chart of the study. The flow chart indicates the sample size of enrolled dogs and withdrawals due to (i) failure to respond to the NSAID, (ii) adverse event and (iii) protocol deviation. Time and number of dogs experiencing pain worsening is also indicated. On the left-hand side a schematic timeline is given for convenience (see "Methods" for further details). Abbreviations: AE, adverse event; PD, protocol deviation; T1-T7, first to seventh telephone interview; V1, V2, V3, first (i.e., baseline), intermediate and third (i.e., final) clinical visit, respectively