Stress-related biomarkers in dogs administered regional anaesthesia or fentanyl for analgesia during stifle surgery.

Analgesia with a peripheral nerve block or spinal anaesthesia prevented the glycaemic and cortisol responses to surgery, promoted better recovery quality, and decreased postoperative pain scores compared with FEN. In the present study, the regional anaesthesia techniques used were found to be excellent alternatives to fentanyl administration.