Validation of the UNESP-Botucatu pig composite acute pain scale (UPAPS).

The creation of species-specific valid tools for pain assessment is essential to recognize pain and determine the requirement and efficacy of analgesic treatments. This study aimed to assess behaviour and investigate the validity and reliability of an acute pain scale in pigs undergoing orchiectomy. Forty-five pigs aged 38±3 days were castrated under local anaesthesia.

Geometric morphometrics for the study of facial expressions in non-human animals, using the domestic cat as an exemplar.

Facial expression is a common channel for the communication of emotion. However, in the case of non-human animals, the analytical methods used to quantify facial expressions can be subjective, relying heavily on extrapolation from human-based systems. Here, we demonstrate how geometric morphometrics can be applied in order to overcome these problems.

Content validation of a Critical Appraisal Tool for Reviewing Analgesia Studies (CATRAS) involving subjects incapable of self-reporting pain.

Introduction: This article reports the content validation of a Critical Appraisal Tool designed to Review the quality of Analgesia Studies (CATRAS) involving subjects incapable of self-reporting pain and provide guidance as to the strengths and weakness of findings. The CATRAS quality items encompass 3 domains: level of evidence, methodological soundness, and grading of the pain assessment tool.

Objectives: To validate a critical appraisal tool for reviewing analgesia studies involving subjects incapable of self-reporting pain.

Validation of the Italian version of the UNESP-Botucatu unidimensional composite pain scale for the assessment of postoperative pain in cattle.

Objective: The aim of this study was to validate the Italian version of the UNESP-Botucatu Unidimensional Composite Pain Scale (UCPS-IV) for assessing postoperative pain in cattle.

Study Design: Video analysis and psychometric testing.

Animals: A total of 40 Nellore cattle, age 2-3 years, weighing 365±51 kg.

[Not Available].

The aim of this study was to validate the French version of the UNESP-Botucatu multidimensional composite pain scale (MCPS-Fr) to assess postoperative pain in cats. Two veterinarians and one DVM student identified three domains of behavior based on video analyses: "psychomotor change", "protection of the painful area" and "physiological variables". Internal consistency was excellent (Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.

Acupuncture and pharmacopuncture are as effective as morphine or carprofen for postoperative analgesia in bitches undergoing ovariohysterectomy.

Purpose: To investigate the analgesic effect of acupuncture (AP) or micro-dose pharmacopuncture (PA), using carprofen or morphine, in bitches undergoing ovariohysterectomy (OHE).

Methods: Thirty five dogs were randomly assigned to five groups after sedation with acepromazine IM: AP, 0.5 mg.

Refinement and partial validation of the UNESP-Botucatu multidimensional composite pain scale for assessing postoperative pain in horses.

Background: Quantification of pain plays a vital role in the diagnosis and management of pain in animals. In order to refine and validate an acute pain scale for horses a prospective, randomized, blinded study was conducted. Twenty-four client owned adult horses were recruited and allocated to one of four following groups: anaesthesia only (GA); pre-emptive analgesia and anaesthesia (GAA,); anaesthesia, castration and postoperative analgesia (GC); or pre-emptive analgesia, anaesthesia and castration (GCA).

Validation of the UNESP-Botucatu unidimensional composite pain scale for assessing postoperative pain in cattle.

Background: The recognition and measurement of pain in cattle are important in determining the necessity for and efficacy of analgesic intervention. The aim of this study was to record behaviour and determine the validity and reliability of an instrument to assess acute pain in 40 cattle subjected to orchiectomy after sedation with xylazine and local anaesthesia. The animals were filmed before and after orchiectomy to record behaviour.

Refinement and initial validation of a multidimensional composite scale for use in assessing acute postoperative pain in cats.

Objective: To refine and test construct validity and reliability of a composite pain scale for use in assessing acute postoperative pain in cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy.

Sample Population: 40 cats that underwent ovariohysterectomy in a previous study.

Procedures: In a previous randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, a composite pain scale was developed to assess postoperative pain in cats that received a placebo or an analgesic (tramadol, vedaprofen, or tramadol-vedaprofen combination).

Comparison of decompressive surgery, electroacupuncture, and decompressive surgery followed by electroacupuncture for the treatment of dogs with intervertebral disk disease with long-standing severe neurologic deficits.

Objective: To compare the effects of decompressive surgery (DSX), electroacupuncture (EAP), and DSX followed by EAP (DSX + EAP) for the treatment of thoracolumbar intervertebral disk disease (IVDD) in dogs with severe neurologic deficits of > 48 hours' duration.

Design: Retrospective case series and prospective clinical trial.

Animals: 40 dogs between 3 and 6 years old and weighing between 10 and 20 kg (22 and 44 lb) with long-standing (> 48 hours) clinical signs of severe neurologic disease attributable to thoracolumbar IVDD.

Analgesic efficacy of perioperative use of vedaprofen, tramadol or their combination in cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy.

The analgesic efficacy of tramadol and/or vedaprofen was evaluated in cats submitted for elective ovariohysterectomy, using a randomised double blind placebo controlled design. Forty adult female cats (3.0+/-0.

Perioperative administration of vedaprofen, tramadol or their combination does not interfere with platelet aggregation, bleeding time and biochemical variables in cats.

A randomized double blind and placebo controlled design was used to investigate the hemostatic, biochemical, gastrointestinal and behavioral effects of pre- and postoperative administration of vedaprofen 0.5mg/kg PO (V), tramadol 2mg/kg SC (T), their association (VT) or placebo (P) in 40 adult female cats (3.0+/-0.

Antinociceptive effects of tramadol and acepromazine in cats.

Effects of tramadol and acepromazine on pressure and thermal thresholds were examined in eight cats. After baseline measurements, subcutaneous (SC) tramadol 1 mg/kg, acepromazine 0.1 mg/kg, tramadol 1 mg/kg with acepromazine 0.

Effects of buprenorphine, carprofen and saline on thermal and mechanical nociceptive thresholds in cats.

Objective: To evaluate a prototype pressure stimulus device for use in the cat and to compare with a known thermal threshold device.

Animals: Eight healthy adult cats weighing between 3.0 and 4.

Epidural administration of tiletamine/zolazepam in horses.

Objectives: To evaluate the analgesic, physiologic, and behavioral effects of the epidural administration of tiletamine/zolazepam in horses.

Study Design: Prospective, double-blind, randomized experimental study.

Animals: Five adult, healthy horses aged 10-16 years and weighing (mean +/- SD) 400 +/- 98 kg.