Algometry to measure pain threshold in the horse’s back – An in vivo and in vitro study

Pongratz, Una; Licka, Theresia

doi:10.1186/s12917-017-1002-y

Cited by 19 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…In this study, the lower MNTs of CON sheep at the 6 and 30 h time points were likely a result of the latter. Individual variability in nociceptive thresholds may also be related to genetic or breed differences in pain tolerance [ 55 , 56 ]. Hampshire sheep were significantly more sensitive to the MNT test than Polypays and Rambouillets.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Analgesic Comparison of Flunixin Meglumine or Meloxicam for Soft-Tissue Surgery in Sheep: A Pilot Study

Viscardi

Reppert

Kleinhenz

et al. 2021

Animals

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The amount of scientific data evaluating sheep pain responses after analgesia treatment is limited. The aims of this study were to compare the efficacy of flunixin meglumine (FLU) and meloxicam (MEL) at relieving post-surgical pain in sheep and to evaluate the utility of the Sheep Grimace Scale (SGS). Thirty ewes were assigned to one of three treatment groups: oral MEL or intravenous FLU to manage pain associated with a laparotomy procedure, or a non-surgical control (CON) group. Behavior and physiologic outcome measures were collected pre-procedure and up to 48 h post-procedure. There were no significant differences in behavior, gait, degree of inflammation or pain around the surgical site when MEL and FLU sheep were compared, suggesting that both drugs provided similar levels of analgesia. Significant differences in behavior, gait, abdominal inflammation and pain were found when surgical sheep were compared to non-surgical controls. More work is needed to characterize the amount of pain relief provided by MEL and FLU. The SGS had moderate reliability between scorers; however, the results were inconsistent with the other study outcome measures. The SGS may have some utility as a pain assessment tool but should be used in conjunction with other pain measures.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Analgesic Comparison of Flunixin Meglumine or Meloxicam for Soft-Tissue Surgery in Sheep: A Pilot Study

Viscardi

Reppert

Kleinhenz

et al. 2021

Animals

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…There have been similar findings in cattle where the MNT was significantly higher on the lateral aspect of the limb compared to the dorsal aspect (17). It has been speculated that higher MNT's are observed where there is more soft tissue coverage (17,21). This is consistent with the findings of this study where MNT's were significantly higher in intercostal spaces (sites 2, 4, and 6) compared to those measured at sites 1 and 3 which overlay a rib ( Table 2).…”

Section: Range Of Mnt Values In Healthy Calvesmentioning

confidence: 58%

Repeatability and Feasibility of Pressure Algometry for Quantifying Mechanical Nociceptive Threshold in the Thoracic Region of Calves

et al. 2020

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Pressure algometry can be used to quantify mechanical nociceptive threshold (MNT) in humans and animals. If reliable this may be a useful tool to examine calves for increased mechanical sensitivity, which may be induced by disease or pain. This study measures the repeatability and feasibility of pressure algometry using a handheld digital pressure algometer (PRODPlus, Top Cat metrology) using three serial measurements applied to six sites on the thoraces of 35 healthy calves by two different operators. The range of MNTs recorded in healthy calves was 1.2-25 Newtons (median = 10.1 IQR = 7.1-14.0). A multivariable mixed effects model identified that the MNT's recorded were influenced by Operator, Site, and Calf. Intra and inter-operator reliability were measured by intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs). Based on average ICCs, intra-operator reliability at two sites was good; one site overlying the ventral aspect of the 6th intercostal space [ICC = 0.79 95% CI (0.63-0.89)] and the other overlying the dorsal aspect of the 9th intercostal space [ICC = 0.75 95% CI (0.56-0.87)]. Average ICCs for three other measurement sites were moderate or poor, and one site proved unfeasible. For inter-operator agreement average ICCs showed that agreement was also good at the same 6 and 9th intercostal space, [ICCs = 0.77 95% CI (0.35-0.90) and 0.77 95% CI (0.54-0.88), respectively], agreement was moderate for the remainder of the sites. This study identifies two sites that are potentially useful for monitoring of thoracic sensitivity as an indicator of pain in calves by means of pressure algometry using the average of three measurements. It also identifies sources of variability to be considered when applying the tool for clinical or research purposes.

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“…This method is more objective; however, there are confounding factors, such as individual differences in pain sensation and response that could compromise the accuracy and specificity of BP assessment using the method. Furthermore, pain perception can be influenced by time of day, rate and duration of machine pressure applied, and avoidance responses by the subjects from previous painful experiences [ 12 15 16 ]. In horses, the assessment of pain using pressure algometry is also dependent on the ability of the operator to recognize pain response.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Clinical assessment and grading of back pain in horses

et al. 2020

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Background: The clinical presentation of horses with back pain (BP) vary considerably with most horse's willingness to take part in athletic or riding purpose becoming impossible. However, there are some clinical features that are directly responsible for the loss or failure of performance. Objectives: To investigate the clinical features of the thoracolumbar region associated with BP in horses and to use some of the clinical features to classify equine BP. Methods: Twenty-four horses comprised of 14 with BP and 10 apparently healthy horses were assessed for clinical abnormality that best differentiate BP from normal horses. The horses were then graded (0-5) using the degree of pain response, muscular hypertonicity, thoracolumbar joint stiffness and overall physical dysfunction of the horse. Results: The common clinical features that significantly differentiate horses with BP from non-BP were longissimus dorsi spasm at palpation (78.6%), paravertebral muscle stiffness (64.3%), resist lateral bending (64.3%), and poor hindlimb impulsion (85.7%). There were significantly (p < 0.05) higher scores for pain response to palpation, muscular hypertonicity, thoracolumbar joint stiffness and physical dysfunction among horses with BP in relation to non-BP. A significant relationship exists between all the graded abnormalities. Based on the cumulative score, horses with BP were categorized into mild, mild-moderate, moderate and severe cases. Conclusions: BP in horse can be differentiated by severity of pain response to back palpation, back muscle hypertonicity, thoracolumbar joint stiffness, physical dysfunctions and their cumulative grading score is useful in the assessment and categorization of BP in horses.

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Algometry to measure pain threshold in the horse’s back – An in vivo and in vitro study

Cited by 19 publications

References 25 publications

Analgesic Comparison of Flunixin Meglumine or Meloxicam for Soft-Tissue Surgery in Sheep: A Pilot Study

Analgesic Comparison of Flunixin Meglumine or Meloxicam for Soft-Tissue Surgery in Sheep: A Pilot Study

Repeatability and Feasibility of Pressure Algometry for Quantifying Mechanical Nociceptive Threshold in the Thoracic Region of Calves

Clinical assessment and grading of back pain in horses

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