OBJECTIVE: To compare the postoperative analgesic efficacy of metamizole injected at acupuncture points with intramuscular injection in dogs undergoing elective ovariohysterectomy. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, blinded, controlled clinical study. ANIMALS: Thirty-six healthy pet dogs. METHODS: The anesthetic protocol included meperidine and dexmedetomidine, propofol, and isoflurane. Immediately after anesthetic induction and orotracheal intubation, dogs were randomly assigned to be given 25 mg kg RESULTS: Morphine was required in 16.6% (2/12), 50% (6/12), and 75% (8/12) of the dogs in the AP-G, IM-G, and Control-G, respectively, with significant differences recorded between AP-G and Control-G (p = 0.036). Lower CMPS-SF scores were recorded in the AP-G compared with the IM-G and Control-G from 1 to 4 hours (p = 0.001-0.003). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Pharmacopuncture with metamizole provides similar levels of analgesia, as indicated by rescue analgesic requirement, as intramuscular metamizole in healthy dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy. This technique may be considered as an adjunctive analgesic strategy for postoperative pain management.