Comparison between AI and human expert performance in acute pain assessment in sheep.

This study explores the question whether Artificial Intelligence (AI) can outperform human experts in animal pain recognition using sheep as a case study. It uses a dataset of N = 48 sheep undergoing surgery with video recordings taken before (no pain) and after (pain) surgery. Four veterinary experts used two types of pain scoring scales: the sheep facial expression scale (SFPES) and the Unesp-Botucatu composite behavioral scale (USAPS), which is the 'golden standard' in sheep pain assessment.

Evaluation of tumescent local anesthesia in cats undergoing unilateral mastectomy.

Objective: To evaluate the analgesic efficacy and safety of tumescent local anesthesia (TLA) in cats undergoing unilateral mastectomy.

Study Design: Prospective clinical trial.

Animals: A total of 12 ovariohysterectomized female cats.

Preliminary survey of the attitudes of Brazilian scientists towards pain management and assessment in animals used in science.

Objective: To investigate the current scenario in Brazil regarding pain assessment and control in experimental animals.

Study Design: Prospective survey.

Methods: A confidential questionnaire was available online and sent by e-mail to Brazilian scientists working with animal experimentation in Brazil.

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.

Clinical applicability of detomidine and methadone constant rate infusions for surgery in standing horses.

Objective: To determine the required rate of a detomidine infusion (loading dose 5 μg kg; initial rate 12.5 μg kg hour) added to a constant infusion of methadone (0.2 mg kg; 0.

Sedative and antinociceptive effects of different combinations of detomidine and methadone in standing horses.

Objective: To evaluate intravenous (IV) detomidine with methadone in horses to identify a combination which provides sedation and antinociception without adverse effects.

Study Design: Randomized, placebo-controlled, blinded, crossover.

Animals: A group of eight adult healthy horses aged (mean ± standard deviation) 7 ± 2 years and 372 ± 27 kg.

Anesthetic effects of different volumes of lidocaine for spermatic cord block in cattle.

Objective: To evaluate three volumes of lidocaine for spermatic cord block to perform castration in cattle.

Study Design: Randomized blinded clinical study.

Animals: Thirty mixed-breed Nellore cattle, aged 28-40 months and weighing 395±21 (352-452) kg [mean±standard deviation (range)].

[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.

Owner assessment of chronic pain intensity and results of gait analysis of dogs with hip dysplasia treated with acupuncture.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate pain intensity and kinetic variables in dogs with hip dysplasia (HD) treated with acupuncture, carprofen, or a placebo. DESIGN Randomized, controlled clinical study. ANIMALS 54 HD-affected dogs and 16 healthy dogs.

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.

Mechanical nociceptive thresholds using four probe configurations in horses.

Objective: To examine the relationship between probe tip size and force readings of mechanical nociceptive thresholds (MTs) to identify appropriate probes for horses.

Study Design: Randomized, crossover study.

Animals: Eight adult, mixed-breed horses aged 5-10 years, weighing 268-460 kg.

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.

Current attitudes regarding the use of perioperative analgesics in dogs and cats by Brazilian veterinarians.

Objective: To correlate the demographic data of Brazilian veterinarians with their use of, attitudes towards, knowledge of and preference for continuing education regarding use of analgesics in small animal practice.

Study Design: Prospective survey.

Methods: The questionnaire was composed of sections pertaining to demographics, personal data, use of analgesics in general and specific procedures, analgesia used, and attitudes towards the assessment and relief of pain.

Cardiorespiratory and antinociceptive effects of two different doses of lidocaine administered to horses during a constant intravenous infusion of xylazine and ketamine.

Background: This study investigated the antinociceptive effects of a constant rate infusion (CRI) of lidocaine during xylazine and ketamine anesthesia in horses and aimed to correlate these effects with cardiorespiratory variables, bispectral index (BIS) and plasma lidocaine concentrations. Six adult crossbred mares weighing 320-400 kg were anesthetized on three different occasions. Sedation was performed with xylazine (0.

Perioperative evaluation of tumescent anaesthesia technique in bitches submitted to unilateral mastectomy.

Background: Tumescent anaesthesia (TA) is a widely used technique in oncologic surgeries necessitating large resection margins. This technique produces transoperative and postoperative analgesia, reduces surgical bleeding, and facilitates tissue divulsion. This prospective, randomised, blind study evaluated the use of TA in bitches submitted to mastectomy and compared the effect of TA with an intravenous fentanyl bolus.

Attitude of Brazilian veterinarians in the recognition and treatment of pain in horses and cattle.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the use of analgesics, describe the attitudes of Brazilian veterinarians towards pain relief in horses and cattle and evaluate the differences due to gender, year of graduation and type of practice.

Study Design: Prospective survey.

Methods: Questionnaires were sent to 1000 large animal veterinarians by mail, internet and delivered in person during national meetings.

Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic modelling of intravenous, intramuscular and subcutaneous buprenorphine in conscious cats.

Objective: To describe simultaneous pharmacokinetics (PK) and thermal antinociception after intravenous (i.v.), intramuscular (i.

Minimum infusion rate and hemodynamic effects of propofol, propofol-lidocaine and propofol-lidocaine-ketamine in dogs.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of a constant rate infusion (CRI) of lidocaine alone or in combination with ketamine on the minimum infusion rate (MIR) of propofol in dogs and to compare the hemodynamic effects produced by propofol, propofol-lidocaine or propofol-lidocaine-ketamine anesthesia.

Study Design: Prospective, randomized cross-over experimental design.

Animals: Fourteen adult mixed-breed dogs weighing 15.

Metabolic acidosis in healthy mules under general anaesthesia with halothane.

Objective: To report the severe metabolic acidosis identified in a group of 11 healthy mules anaesthetized with halothane for castration.

Study Design: Data generated from a prospective study.

Animals: Eleven mules aged 2.

Post-operative analgesic effects of butorphanol or firocoxib administered to dogs undergoing elective ovariohysterectomy.

Objective: To compare the post-operative analgesic effects of butorphanol or firocoxib in dogs undergoing ovariohysterectomy.

Study Design: Prospective, randomized, blinded, clinical trial.

Animals: Twenty-five dogs >1 year of age.

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).

Effect of a single acupuncture treatment on surgical wound healing in dogs: a randomized, single blinded, controlled pilot study.

Background: The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of acupuncture on wound healing after soft tissue or orthopaedic surgery in dogs.

Methods: 29 dogs were submitted to soft tissue and/or orthopaedic surgeries. Five dogs had two surgical wounds each, so there were totally 34 wounds in the study.