The effects of indomethacin on cold-induced vasodilation in the cat

1. 1. Cold-induced vasodilatation (CIVD) was assessed from records of foot-pad temperatures of 6 domestic cats during immersion of both hind feet in a 0°C water bath.

2. 2. All experiments were performed following anaesthesia with sodium pentobarbital.

3. 3. Four days after the control recordings, the animals were given indomethacin, 5 mg/kg intravenously, and the CIVD response was examined once again; a third test of the cold response was performed 4 days after the treatment with indomethacin.

4. 4. Phasic increases in foot-pad temperature (CIVD) during immersion were smaller (P < 0.05) and delayed in onset (P < 0.05) in the animals treated with indomethacin at a dose which inhibits cyclo-oxygenase.

5. 5. It is proposed that CIVD involves a balance between central symphathetic vasoconstrictor tone and periodic prostaglandin-induced vasodilatation.

Author Keywords: Indomethacin; hunting reaction; CIVD, cold-induced vasodilatation; arachidonic acid metabolites; prostaglandin; Felis domesticus