Abstract
Grimace scales have been used for pain assessment in different species. This study aimed to develop and validate the Feline Grimace Scale (FGS) to detect naturally-occurring acute pain. Thirty-five client-owned and twenty control cats were video-recorded undisturbed in their cages in a prospective, case-control study. Painful cats received analgesic treatment and videos were repeated one hour later. Five action units (AU) were identified: ear position, orbital tightening, muzzle tension, whiskers change and head position. Four observers independently scored (0–2 for each AU) 110 images of control and painful cats. The FGS scores were higher in painful than in control cats; a very strong correlation with another validated instrument for pain assessment in cats was observed (rho = 0.86, p < 0.001) as well as good overall inter-rater reliability [ICC = 0.89 (95% CI: 0.85–0.92)], excellent intra-rater reliability (ICC > 0.91), and excellent internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.89). The FGS detected response to analgesic treatment (scores after analgesia were lower than before) and a cut-off score was determined (total pain score > 0.39 out of 1.0). The FGS is a valid and reliable tool for acute pain assessment in cats.
Highlights
Grimace scales have been used for pain assessment in different species
They were developed for mice[15], rats[16], rabbits[17], horses[18], sheep[19,20], lambs[21], piglets[22,23] and ferrets[24]. Most of these scales consider four to five action units (AU) rated as absent, partially present or markedly present. Action units such as orbital tightening and ear position are listed across all species, other facial features and some specific changes are different[15,16]
This study aimed to develop and validate the Feline Grimace Scale (FGS) to detect acute pain associated with naturally-occurring conditions
Summary
Grimace scales have been used for pain assessment in different species. This study aimed to develop and validate the Feline Grimace Scale (FGS) to detect naturally-occurring acute pain. Most of these scales consider four to five AU rated as absent, partially present or markedly present Action units such as orbital tightening and ear position are listed across all species, other facial features and some specific changes are different (i.e. flattening of the nose and cheek regions are observed in rats, in contrast to bulging in mice)[15,16]. For this reason, it is important to develop species-specific grimace scales[12]
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