Feasibility and repeatability of cold and mechanical quantitative sensory testing in normal dogs

Abstract

Feasibility and inter-session repeatability of cold and mechanical quantitative sensory testing (QST) were assessed in 24 normal dogs. Cold thermal latencies were evaluated using a thermal probe (0 °C) applied to three pelvic limb sites. Mechanical thresholds were measured using an electronic von Frey anesthesiometer (EVF) and a blunt-probed pressure algometer (PA) applied to the dorsal aspect of the metatarsus. All QST trials were performed with dogs in lateral recumbency. Collection of cold QST data was easy (feasible) in 19/24 (79%) dogs. However, only 18.4%, 18.9% and 13.2% of cold QST trials elicited a response at the medial tibia, third digital pad and plantar metatarsal regions, respectively. Collection of mechanical QST data was easy (feasible) in 20/24 (83%) dogs for both EVF and PA. At consecutive sampling times, approximately 2 weeks apart, the average EVF sensory thresholds were 414 ± 186 g and 379 ± 166 g, respectively, and the average PA sensory thresholds were 1089 ± 414 g and 1028 ± 331 g, respectively. There was no significant difference in inter-session or inter-limb threshold values for either mechanical QST device. The cold QST protocol in this study was achievable, but did not provide consistently quantifiable results. Both mechanical QST devices tested provided repeatable, reliable sensory threshold measurements in normal, client-owned dogs. These findings contribute to the validation of the EVF and PA as tools to obtain repeated QST data over time in dogs to assess somatosensory processing changes.

Questionnaire‐based Analysis of Owner‐reported Scratching and Pain Signs in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Screened for Chiari‐like Malformation and Syringomyelia

“…The test‐retest validity method for this tool may not be useful because CMSM is a progressive disease with signs frequently changing and worsening. Ideally, it would be tested for criterion validity, but there currently is no gold standard objective method of evaluating neuropathic pain in dogs; however, techniques such as quantitative sensory thresholds and nociceptive withdrawal reflex may have utility . The use of the words “pain” and “scratching” in the ChiMPS‐T questions could introduce respondent bias; therefore, wording may need to be altered to increase validity of this tool.…”

Spontaneous dog osteoarthritis — a One Medicine vision

“…These objective assessments are less expensive and less complicated to use than force plates and offer easy longitudinal assessment for OA interventions and disease progression [174][175][176][177] . Many other tests could be useful in OA monitoring, including thermal imaging and mechanical nociceptive threshold testing 178,179 . Functional activity monitoring, force plate analysis and advanced MRI are performed on dogs in a manner that mirrors their use in human patients, and brain imaging in conscious pet dogs is also reliable and practical and could potentially be used for comparative neuroscience studies 180,181 .…”

Investigation of sensory thresholds in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels with and without Chiari‐like malformations and syringomyelia

“…Commonly, von Frey filaments have been used in humans with SM15, 16 and in various studies of pain in dogs 23, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 32, 33. The use of von Frey mechanical testing has been found to be feasible and reliable31, 33 and in 1 study identified different thresholds in normal dogs compared to dogs with acute spinal cord injury 32. However, a lack of association between normal dogs and dogs with chronic pain also has been noted using von Frey techniques 23.…”