Abstract
ObjectiveMeasurement of sensory thresholds could represent a complementary tool to behavioural pain scores in cats. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of quantitative sensory testing (QST) with the Electronic von Frey Anesthesiometer (EVF) and von Frey filaments (VFF) in healthy cats, and to assess the limits of agreement (LOA) between the two devices. Study designProspective clinical study. AnimalsA total of 15 client-owned healthy cats. MethodsTwo investigators (A and B) carried out the measurements independently. The EVF and the VFF were applied on the upper lip and at the level of the medial aspect of the stifle. A 1-hour interval was allowed between the sets of measurements taken by investigators A and B; each investigator repeated the entire session of measurements after 24 hours. The LOA between the EVF and the VFF were analysed with the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), and with the Bland Altman method. ResultsQST with both the EVF and the VFF was feasible in healthy cats; however, the willingness of the cats to cooperate was negatively affected by the repetition of the measurements on the second day. The presence of the cat owners seemed to facilitate the trial. There was a fair agreement between the EVF and the VFF (ICC = 0.49; 95% confidence interval: 0.13–0.70). Conclusionsand clinical relevance Our findings indicate that both EVF and VFF may be used for QST in cats. Further trials will be needed to verify the usefulness of QST with EVF and VFF in feline patients suffering from actual chronic pain.
Highlights
Detecting and managing pain is an important duty for owners and veterinary professionals.Whilst acute postoperative pain can be anticipated and has, in most species, some recognizable features, chronic pain is subtle in nature and its recognition may be extraordinarily challenging, especially in cats
Quantitative sensory testing with both the Electronic von Frey Anaesthesiometer (EVF) and the von Frey filaments (VFF) was feasible in healthy cats; the willingness of the cats to cooperate was negatively affected by the repetition of the measurements on the second day
There was a fair agreement between the EVF and the VFF (ICC = 0.49; confidence intervals (CI): 0.13 – 0.70)
Summary
Two investigators (A and B) carried out the measurements independently. The EVF and the VFF were applied on the upper lip and at the level of the medial aspect of the stifle. A. 1-hour interval was allowed between the sets of measurements taken by investigators A and. B; each investigator repeated the entire session of measurements after 24 hours. The LOA between the EVF and the VFF were analysed with the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC), and with the Bland Altman method
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