Effect of acupuncture on pain and quality of life in canine neurological and musculoskeletal diseases.

This prospective study investigated the effects of acupuncture alone or combined with analgesics in chronic pain and quality of life assessed by owners for up to 24 weeks in 181 dogs with neurological and musculoskeletal diseases. The scores before and after the onset of treatment were evaluated using the Wilcoxon test and the evolution of success was evaluated by Kaplan-Meier curves. Differences were considered significant at P < 0.05. The success rates for Helsinki chronic pain index (HCPI), quality of life assessment, and visual analog scales (VAS) for pain and locomotion were 79%, 84%, 78%, and 78% of the animals, respectively, when both diseases and groups of treatment were combined. Dogs with musculoskeletal disorders had greater improvement in HCPI (P = 0.003) and VAS locomotion (P = 0.045) than those with neurological disorders. Use of acupuncture alone or in combination with analgesics reduced pain and improved quality of life in dogs with neurological and musculoskeletal diseases.

Effet de l'acupuncture dans la douleur et la qualité de vie dans les maladies neurologiques et musculo-squelettiques chez le chiens. Cette étude prospective a étudié les effets de l'acupuncture (AP) seul ou combinée avec des analgésiques pour traiter la douleur chronique et de la qualité de vie évaluée par les propriétaires pendant 24 semaines à 181 chiens atteints de maladies neurologiques et musculo-squelettiques. Les scores des animaux ont été évalués avant et après le début du traitement au moyen du test de Wilcoxon et l'évolution du succès par des courbes de Kaplan-Meier. Les différences ont été considérées comme significatives lorsque P < 0,05. Le taux de réussite pour l'indice de la douleur chronique de Helsinki (IDCH), évaluation de la qualité de vie et des échelles visuelles analogiques (EVA) pour la douleur et la locomotion étaient respectivement de 79 %, 84 %, 78 %, et 78 %. des animaux, respectivement, lorsque les deux types de maladies, et les deux groupes de traitement ont été combinés. Les chiens souffrant de maladies musculo-squelettiques ont une plus grande amélioration de IDCH (P = 0,003) et EVA locomotion (P = 0,045) scores que ceux souffrant de maladies neurologiques. Utilisation d'AP seul ou associé à traitements analgésiques réduite la douleur et meilleure qualité de vie chez les chiens atteints de maladies neurologiques et musculo-squelettiques.(Traduit par les auteurs).

Validation de la version francophone d'une échelle composite multidimensionnelle pour l'évaluation de la douleur postopératoire chez les chats.

Validation of the French version of the UNESP-Botucatu multidimensional composite pain scale for assessing postoperative pain in cats. 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 0.94, 0.90 and 0.61, respectively). Criterion validity was good to very good when evaluations from the three observers were compared with a "gold standard". Inter- and intra-rater reliability for each scale item were good to very good. The optimal cut-off point identified with a ROC curve was > 7 (scale range 0-30 points), with a sensitivity of 97.8% and specificity of 99.1%. The MCPS-Fr is a valid, reliable and responsive instrument for assessing acute pain in cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy.(Translated by Dr. Beatriz Monteiro).

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. METHODS: Four probe configurations (PCs) were used in random sequence: 1.0 mm diameter (SHARP); 3.2 mm (BLUNT); spring-mounted 1.0 mm (SPRING), and 3 × 2.5 mm (3PIN). A remote-controlled unit on the horse increased force (1.2 N second(-1)) in a pneumatic actuator on the metacarpus. Mean MT for each PC was calculated from 10 readings for each horse. Data were log-transformed for analysis using mixed-effects anova/linear regression (p < 0.05). Variability of data for each PC was assessed using the coefficient of variation (CV). RESULTS: Mean ± standard deviation MTs were: SHARP, 5.6 ± 2.3 N; BLUNT, 11.4 ± 3.4 N; 3PIN, 9.6 ± 4.6 N, and SPRING 6.4 ± 1.8 N. Mean MT for SHARP was significantly lower than for BLUNT (p < 0.001) and 3PIN (p < 0.001), but not different from SPRING (p > 0.05). Mean MT was significantly higher for BLUNT than for 3PIN (p < 0.05) and SPRING (p < 0.001). Mean MT for 3PIN was significantly higher than for SPRING (p < 0.001). Larger contact area PCs produced higher MTs than smaller PCs, but the relationship was not linear. BLUNT (area: 10-fold greater) gave a MT two-fold higher than SHARP. 3PIN (area: 20-fold greater) produced more variable MTs, less than two-fold higher than SHARP. SPRING was similar to SHARP. CVs were: SHARP, 22.9%; BLUNT, 72.3%; 3PIN, 44.2%, and SPRING, 28.7%. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The PC has nonlinear effects on MT. Therefore, it is important to define PC when measuring MT. Smaller probe tips may be preferable as MT data are less variable.

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. The descriptive statistics with frequency analysis was performed using sas for Windows 9.1.3. Chi-square for simple comparisons test was used. RESULTS: Questionnaires were obtained from 1298 small animal veterinarians. Women and younger graduates attributed higher pain scores than men and older graduates but the frequency and duration of analgesic treatment did not differ between genders. The most commonly used opioids were tramadol (79%) and morphine (51%). NSAIDs of choice were meloxicam (81%) and ketoprofen (70%). Cats received lower pain scores for laparotomy, orchiectomy and dental procedures than dogs. Practical experience (64%) and national (47%) and regional meetings (43%) were the main sources of information for identifying and treating pain in small animals. CONCLUSIONS: Although the number of Brazilian veterinarians believed that their knowledge in the area was lower than in other countries, the focus in pain management was similar or higher than in other countries, showing a good attitude in pain relief in animals.

Real-time and video-recorded pain assessment in beef cattle: clinical application and reliability in young, adult bulls undergoing surgical castration.

Bovine pain assessment relies on validated behavioral scales related to normal and pain-related behaviors. This study investigated the reliability and applicability of real-time and video-recorded pain assessment, and their agreement, in young, adult bulls undergoing surgical castration. Ten Nelore and nine Angus bulls underwent general anesthesia and surgical castration. Three-minute real-time observations and simultaneous videos were recorded at - 48 h (M0), before sedation, under fasting (M1), after surgery, 3 h after sternal recumbency (M2), after rescue analgesia (M3) and at 24 h (M4). Animals received morphine (after M2), dipyrone (after M3), and flunixin meglumine after surgical castration (M4). Two trained evaluators assessed real-time (n = 95) and video-recorded time-points (n = 95) using the Unesp-Botucatu Cattle Pain Scale (UCAPS). Both assessment methods inferred 'very good' reliability (≥ 0.81) with minimal bias, however, video-recorded assessment (4.33 ± 2.84) demonstrated slightly higher scores compared to real-time (3.08 ± 2.84). The results from this study suggest that UCAPS can be used in real-time or video-recorded to assess pain and guide analgesic therapy in cattle.

Validation of the Portuguese Version of the Short-Form Glasgow Composite Measure Pain Scale (CMPS-SF) According to COSMIN and GRADE Guidelines.

We aimed to validate the CMPS-SF according to COSMIN and GRADE guidelines. Four trained evaluators assessed 208 videos (pre-operative-M1, peak of pain-M2, 1 h after the peak of pain and analgesia (rescue)-M3, and 24 h post-extubation-M4) of 52 dogs, divided into negative controls (n = 10), soft tissue surgeries (n = 22), and orthopedic surgeries (n = 20). The videos were randomized and blinded as to when they were filmed, and were evaluated in two stages, 21 days apart. According to confirmatory analysis, the CMPS-SF is a unidimensional scale. Intra-observer reliability was between 0.80 and 0.99 and inter-observer reliability between 0.73 and 0.86. Criterion validity was confirmed by the correlation between the CMPS-SF and other unidimensional scales (≥0.7). The differences between the scores were M2 ≥ M3 > M4 > M1 (responsiveness), and the scale presented construct validity (higher postoperative pain scores in dogs undergoing surgery versus control). Internal consistency was 0.7 (Cronbach's α) and 0.77 (McDonald's ω), and the item-total correlation was between 0.3 and 0.7, except for "A(ii)-Attention to wound". Specificity and sensitivity were 78-87% and 74-83%, respectively. The cut-off point for rescue analgesia was ≥5 or ≥4 excluding item B(iii) mobility, and the GRADE classification was high, confirming the validity of the scale.

Validation of the English version of the UNESP-Botucatu multidimensional composite pain scale for assessing postoperative pain in cats.

BACKGROUND: A scale validated in one language is not automatically valid in another language or culture. The purpose of this study was to validate the English version of the UNESP-Botucatu multidimensional composite pain scale (MCPS) to assess postoperative pain in cats. The English version was developed using translation, back-translation, and review by individuals with expertise in feline pain management. In sequence, validity and reliability tests were performed. RESULTS: Of the three domains identified by factor analysis, the internal consistency was excellent for 'pain expression' and 'psychomotor change' (0.86 and 0.87) but not for 'physiological variables' (0.28). Relevant changes in pain scores at clinically distinct time points (e.g., post-surgery, post-analgesic therapy), confirmed the construct validity and responsiveness (Wilcoxon test, p < 0.001). Favorable correlation with the IVAS scores (p < 0.001) and moderate to very good agreement between blinded observers and 'gold standard' evaluations, supported criterion validity. The cut-off point for rescue analgesia was > 7 (range 0-30 points) with 96.5% sensitivity and 99.5% specificity. CONCLUSIONS: The English version of the UNESP-Botucatu-MCPS is a valid, reliable and responsive instrument for assessing acute pain in cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy, when used by anesthesiologists or anesthesia technicians. The cut-off point for rescue analgesia provides an additional tool for guiding analgesic therapy.

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 (0.75 mg/kg IV) and anesthetic induction with guaifenesin (75 mg/kg IV) and ketamine (2 mg/kg IV). Anesthesia was maintained with 37.5 µg/kg/min of xylazine and 87.5 µg/kg/min of ketamine both administered intravenously for 75 min. The three treatments consisted of: lidocaine (loading dose: 5 mg/kg, CRI: 100 µg/kg/min; THL); lidocaine (loading dose: 2.5 mg/kg; CRI: 50 µg/kg/min: TLL); and saline (TS); all given 15 min after induction and maintained for 1 h. Antinociception was measured by response to electrical stimulation and bispectral index (BIS) was recorded during anesthesia. Parametric and non-parametric data were compared using ANOVA followed by Student-Newman-Keuls and Friedman tests, respectively. RESULTS: Plasma lidocaine concentrations peaked at the end of lidocaine loading dose and was greater in THL (9.61 ± 2.75 µg/mL) vs TLL (4.50 ± 3.34 µg/mL). Electrical noxious stimulation caused purposeful movement in all horses from TS, but no response in THL. The BIS was decreased in THL only and was less when compared to the other treatments throughout anesthesia. Blood pressure, PaO2 and PaCO2 increased and heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), pH, total plasma protein and temperature decreased during anesthesia in all treatments. PaCO2 and HR were greater and RR and pH less in THL compared to TLL and TS at 30 min during anesthesia. All recoveries were considered excellent. Time to standing was longer after THL (60 ± 20 min) than following TLL and TS (32 ± 17 and 30 ± 15 min, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: At the highest dose administered (THL) lidocaine CRI during xylazine/ketamine anesthesia decreased BIS and motor response to noxious stimulation, and prolonged recovery time without significant added cardiorespiratory depression.

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. The survey investigated the attitudes of Brazilian veterinarians to the recognition and treatment of pain in large animals and consisted of sections asking about demographic data, use of analgesic drugs, attitudes to pain relief and to the assessment of pain. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze frequencies. Simple post hoc comparisons were performed using the chi-square test. RESULTS: Eight hundred questionnaires were collected, but 87 were discarded because they were incomplete or blank. The opioid of choice for use in large animals was butorphanol (43.4%) followed by tramadol (39%). Flunixin (83.2%) and ketoprofen (67.6%) were the most frequently used NSAIDs by Brazilian veterinarians. Respondents indicated that horses received preoperative analgesics for laparotomy more frequently (72.9%) than cattle (58.5%). The most frequently administered preoperative drugs for laparotomy in horses were flunixin (38.4%) and xylazine (23.6%), whereas the preoperative drugs for the same surgical procedure in cattle were xylazine (31.8%) and the local administration of lidocaine (48%). Fracture repair was considered the most painful surgical procedure for both species. Most veterinarians (84.1%) believed that their knowledge in this area was not adequate. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Although these Brazilian veterinarians thought that their knowledge on recognition and treatment of pain was not adequate, the use of analgesic in large animals was similar in Brazil to that reported in other countries.

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.m.) and subcutaneous (SC) buprenorphine in cats. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized, prospective, blinded, three period crossover experiment. ANIMALS: Six healthy adult cats weighing 4.1±0.5 kg. METHODS: Buprenorphine (0.02 mg kg(-1)) was administered i.v., i.m. or s.c.. Thermal threshold (TT) testing and blood collection were conducted simultaneously at baseline and at predetermined time points up to 24 hours after administration. Buprenorphine plasma concentrations were determined by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. TT was analyzed using anova (p<0.05). A pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) model of the i.v. data was described using a model combining biophase equilibration and receptor association-dissociation kinetics. RESULTS: TT increased above baseline from 15 to 480 minutes and at 30 and 60 minutes after i.v. and i.m. administration, respectively (p<0.05). Maximum increase in TT (mean±SD) was 9.3±4.9°C at 60 minutes (i.v.), 4.6±2.8°C at 45 minutes (i.m.) and 1.9±1.9°C at 60 minutes (s.c.). TT was significantly higher at 15, 60, 120 and 180 minutes, and at 15, 30, 45, 60 and 120 minutes after i.v. administration compared to i.m. and s.c., respectively. I.v. and i.m. buprenorphine concentration-time data decreased curvilinearly. S.c. PK could not be modeled due to erratic absorption and disposition. I.v. buprenorphine disposition was similar to published data. The PK-PD model showed an onset delay mainly attributable to slow biophase equilibration (t(1/2) k(e0)=47.4 minutes) and receptor binding (k(on)=0.011 mL ng(-1) minute(-1)). Persistence of thermal antinociception was due to slow receptor dissociation (t(1/2) k(off)=18.2 minutes). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: I.v. and i.m. data followed classical disposition and elimination in most cats. Plasma concentrations after i.v. administration were associated with antinociceptive effect in a PK-PD model including negative hysteresis. At the doses administered, the i.v. route should be preferred over the i.m. and s.c. routes when buprenorphine is administered to cats.

Deep learning for video-based automated pain recognition in rabbits.

Despite the wide range of uses of rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) as experimental models for pain, as well as their increasing popularity as pets, pain assessment in rabbits is understudied. This study is the first to address automated detection of acute postoperative pain in rabbits. Using a dataset of video footage of n = 28 rabbits before (no pain) and after surgery (pain), we present an AI model for pain recognition using both the facial area and the body posture and reaching accuracy of above 87%. We apply a combination of 1 sec interval sampling with the Grayscale Short-Term stacking (GrayST) to incorporate temporal information for video classification at frame level and a frame selection technique to better exploit the availability of video data.

Reliability and Validity of UNESP-Botucatu Cattle Pain Scale and Cow Pain Scale in Bos taurus and Bos indicus Bulls to Assess Postoperative Pain of Surgical Orchiectomy.

Pain assessment guides decision-making in pain management and improves animal welfare. We aimed to investigate the reliability and validity of the UNESP-Botucatu cattle pain scale (UCAPS) and the cow pain scale (CPS) for postoperative pain assessment in Bos taurus (Angus) and Bos indicus (Nelore) bulls after castration. METHODS: Ten Nelore and nine Angus bulls were anaesthetised with xylazine-ketamine-diazepam-isoflurane-flunixin meglumine. Three-minute videos were recorded at -48 h, preoperative, after surgery, after rescue analgesia and at 24 h. Two evaluators assessed 95 randomised videos twice one month apart. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the pain scores between breeds. Intra and inter-rater reliability varied from good (>0.70) to very good (>0.81) for all scales. The criterion validity showed a strong correlation (0.76-0.78) between the numerical rating scale and VAS versus UCAPS and CPS, and between UCAPS and CPS (0.76). The UCAPS and CPS were responsive; all items and total scores increased after surgery. Both scales were specific (81-85%) and sensitive (82-87%). The cut-off point for rescue analgesia was >4 for UCAPS and >3 for CPS. CONCLUSIONS: The UCAPS and CPS are valid and reliable to assess postoperative pain in Bos taurus and Bos indicus bulls.

Effects of Human Observer Presence on Pain Assessment Using Facial Expressions in Rabbits.

The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of a human observer on Rabbit Grimace Scale (RbtGS) scores. The study scored video footage taken of 28 rabbits before and after orthopedic surgery, as follows: 24 h before surgery ( baseline), 1 h after surgery ( pain), 3 h after analgesia administration ( analgesia), and 24 h after surgery ( 24h) in the presence and absence of an observer. Videos were assessed twice in random order by 3 evaluators who were blind to the collection time and the presence or absence of an observer. Responses to pain and analgesia were evaluated by comparing the 4 time points using the Friedman test, followed by the Dunn test. The influence of the presence or absence of the observer at each time point was evaluated using the Wilcoxon test. Intra- and interrater reliabilities were estimated using the intraclass correlation coefficient. The scale was responsive to pain, as the scores increased after surgery and had decreased by 24 h after surgery. The presence of the observer reduced significantly the RbtGS scores (median and range) at pain (present, 0.75, 0 to 1.75; absent, 1, 0 to 2) and increased the scores at baseline (present, 0.2, 0 to 2; absent, 0, 0 to 2) and 24h after surgery (present, 0.33, 0 to 1.75; absent, 0.2, 0 to 1.5). The intrarater reliability was good (0.69) to very good (0.82) and interrater reliability was moderate (0.49) to good (0.67). Thus, the RbtGS appeared to detect pain when scored from video footage of rabbits before and after orthopedic surgery. In the presence of the observer, the pain scores were underestimated at the time considered to be associated with the greatest pain and overestimated at the times of little or no pain.

Explainable automated pain recognition in cats.

Manual tools for pain assessment from facial expressions have been suggested and validated for several animal species. However, facial expression analysis performed by humans is prone to subjectivity and bias, and in many cases also requires special expertise and training. This has led to an increasing body of work on automated pain recognition, which has been addressed for several species, including cats. Even for experts, cats are a notoriously challenging species for pain assessment. A previous study compared two approaches to automated 'pain'/'no pain' classification from cat facial images: a deep learning approach, and an approach based on manually annotated geometric landmarks, reaching comparable accuracy results. However, the study included a very homogeneous dataset of cats and thus further research to study generalizability of pain recognition to more realistic settings is required. This study addresses the question of whether AI models can classify 'pain'/'no pain' in cats in a more realistic (multi-breed, multi-sex) setting using a more heterogeneous and thus potentially 'noisy' dataset of 84 client-owned cats. Cats were a convenience sample presented to the Department of Small Animal Medicine and Surgery of the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover and included individuals of different breeds, ages, sex, and with varying medical conditions/medical histories. Cats were scored by veterinary experts using the Glasgow composite measure pain scale in combination with the well-documented and comprehensive clinical history of those patients; the scoring was then used for training AI models using two different approaches. We show that in this context the landmark-based approach performs better, reaching accuracy above 77% in pain detection as opposed to only above 65% reached by the deep learning approach. Furthermore, we investigated the explainability of such machine recognition in terms of identifying facial features that are important for the machine, revealing that the region of nose and mouth seems more important for machine pain classification, while the region of ears is less important, with these findings being consistent across the models and techniques studied here.

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 15.8 ± 3.5 kg. METHODS: Eight dogs were anesthetized on different occasions to determine the MIR of propofol alone and propofol in combination with lidocaine (loading dose [LD] 1.5 mg kg(-1), CRI 0.25 mg kg(-1) minute(-1)) or lidocaine (LD 1.5 mg kg(-1), CRI 0.25 mg kg(-1) minute(-1)) and ketamine (LD 1 mg kg(-1), CRI 0.1 mg kg(-1) minute(-1)). In six other dogs, the hemodynamic effects and bispectral index (BIS) were investigated. Each animal received each treatment (propofol, propofol-lidocaine or propofol-lidocaine-ketamine) on the basis of the MIR of propofol determined in the first set of experiments. RESULTS: Mean ± SD MIR of propofol was 0.51 ± 0.08 mg kg(-1) minute(-1). Lidocaine-ketamine significantly decreased the MIR of propofol to 0.31 ± 0.07 mg kg(-1) minute(-1) (37 ± 18% reduction), although lidocaine alone did not (0.42 ± 0.08 mg kg(-1) minute(-1), 18 ± 7% reduction). Hemodynamic effects were similar in all treatments. Compared with the conscious state, in all treatments, heart rate, cardiac index, mean arterial blood pressure, stroke index and oxygen delivery index decreased significantly, whereas systemic vascular resistance index increased. Stroke index was lower in dogs treated with propofol-lidocaine-ketamine at 30 minutes compared with propofol alone. The BIS was lower during anesthesia with propofol-lidocaine-ketamine compared to propofol alone. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Lidocaine-ketamine, but not lidocaine alone, reduced the MIR of propofol in dogs. Neither lidocaine nor lidocaine in combination with ketamine attenuated cardiovascular depression produced by a continuous rate infusion of propofol.

Automated recognition of pain in cats.

Facial expressions in non-human animals are closely linked to their internal affective states, with the majority of empirical work focusing on facial shape changes associated with pain. However, existing tools for facial expression analysis are prone to human subjectivity and bias, and in many cases also require special expertise and training. This paper presents the first comparative study of two different paths towards automatizing pain recognition in facial images of domestic short haired cats (n = 29), captured during ovariohysterectomy at different time points corresponding to varying intensities of pain. One approach is based on convolutional neural networks (ResNet50), while the other-on machine learning models based on geometric landmarks analysis inspired by species specific Facial Action Coding Systems (i.e. catFACS). Both types of approaches reach comparable accuracy of above 72%, indicating their potential usefulness as a basis for automating cat pain detection from images.

Multilingual validation of the short form of the Unesp-Botucatu Feline Pain Scale (UFEPS-SF).

Background: Pain is the leading cause of animal suffering, hence the importance of validated tools to ensure its appropriate evaluation and treatment. We aimed to test the psychometric properties of the short form of the Unesp-Botucatu Feline Pain Scale (UFEPS-SF) in eight languages. Methods: The original scale was condensed from ten to four items. The content validation was performed by five specialists in veterinary anesthesia and analgesia. The English version of the scale was translated and back-translated into Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese and Spanish by fluent English and native speaker translators. Videos of the perioperative period of 30 cats submitted to ovariohysterectomy (preoperative, after surgery, after rescue analgesia and 24 h after surgery) were randomly evaluated twice (one-month interval) by one evaluator for each language unaware of the pain condition. After watching each video, the evaluators scored the unidimensional, UFEPS-SF and Glasgow composite multidimensional feline pain scales. Statistical analyses were carried out using R software for intra and interobserver reliability, principal component analysis, criteria concurrent and predictive validities, construct validity, item-total correlation, internal consistency, specificity, sensitivity, the definition of the intervention score for rescue analgesia and diagnostic uncertainty zone, according to the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Results: UFEPS-SF intra- and inter-observer reliability were ≥0.92 and 0.84, respectively, for all observers. According to the principal component analysis, UFEPS-SF is a unidimensional scale. Concurrent criterion validity was confirmed by the high correlation between UFEPS-SF and all other scales (≥0.9). The total score and all items of UFEPS-SF increased after surgery (pain), decreased to baseline after analgesia and were intermediate at 24 h after surgery (moderate pain), confirming responsiveness and construct validity. Item total correlation of each item (0.68-0.83) confirmed that the items contributed homogeneously to the total score. Internal consistency was excellent (≥0.9) for all items. Both specificity (baseline) and sensitivity (after surgery) based on the Youden index was 99% (97-100%). The suggestive cut-off score for the administration of analgesia according to the ROC curve was ≥4 out of 12. The diagnostic uncertainty zone ranged from 3 to 4. The area under the curve of 0.99 indicated excellent discriminatory capacity of UFEPS-SF. Conclusions: The UFEPS-SF and its items, assessed by experienced evaluators, demonstrated very good repeatability and reproducibility, content, criterion and construct validities, item-total correlation, internal consistency, excellent sensitivity and specificity and a cut-off point indicating the need for rescue analgesia in Chinese, French, English, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese and Spanish.

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 2.5-8 years, weighing 230-315 kg and 11 horses aged 1.5-3.5 years, weighing 315-480 kg. METHODS: Animals were anaesthetized for castration as part of an electroencephalographic study. Preanaesthetic medication was acepromazine (0.03 mg kg(-1) ) administered through a preplaced jugular venous catheter. Anaesthesia was induced 30-90 minutes later with intravenous thiopental (10 mg kg(-1) ). After orotracheal intubation, anaesthesia was maintained with halothane vaporised in oxygen. The animals' lungs were ventilated to maintain the end-tidal CO(2) concentration between 3.9 and 4.5 kPa (29-34 mmHg). Anaesthetic monitoring included invasive blood pressure measurement via the auricular artery (mules) and submandibular branch of the facial artery (horses). Arterial blood gas samples were drawn from these catheters at three time points during surgery and pH, PaCO(2) , base excess (ecf) and were measured. Values were compared between groups using a Mann-Whitney test. p was taken as <0.05. Results are reported as median (range). RESULTS: PaCO(2) did not differ between groups but pH was significantly lower in mules [7.178 (7.00-7.29)] compared to horses [7.367 (7.24-7.43)] (p=0.0002). values were significantly lower in the mules [16.6 (13.0-22.3) mM] compared to horses [23.7 (20.9-23.7) mM] (p=0.0001), whilst base excess (ecf) was significantly more negative in the mules [-11.4 (-1.27 to -16) mM] compared to horses [-1.3 (-5.8 to +2.4) mM] (p=0.0004). CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study demonstrated severe metabolic acidosis in healthy mules, which may have prompted intervention with drug therapies in a clinical arena. It is probable that the acidosis existed prior to anaesthesia and caused by diet, but other possible causes are considered.

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. METHODS: Dogs received acepromazine intramuscularly (IM), 0.05 mg kg(-1) and either butorphanol IM, 0.2 mg kg(-1) (BG, n = 12) or firocoxib orally (PO), 5 mg kg(-1) (FG, n = 13), approximately 30 minutes before induction of anesthesia with propofol. Anesthesia was maintained with isoflurane. Ovariohysterectomy was performed by the same surgeon. Pain scores using the dynamic and interactive visual analog scale (DIVAS) were performed before and at 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8 and 20 hours after the end of surgery by one observer, blinded to the treatment. Rescue analgesia was provided with morphine (0.5 mg kg(-1)) IM and firocoxib, 5 mg kg(-1) (BG only) PO if DIVAS >50. Groups were compared using paired t-tests and Fisher's exact test (p < 0.05). Data are presented as mean ± SD. RESULTS: The BG required significantly less propofol (BG: 2.6 ± 0.59 mg kg(-1); FG: 5.39 ± 0.7 mg kg(-1)) (p < 0.05) but the anesthesia time was longer (BG: 14 ± 6, FG: 10 ± 4 minutes). There were no differences for body weight (BG: 7.9 ± 5.0, FG: 11.5 ± 4.6 kg), sedation scores, and surgery and extubation times (BG: 10 ± 2, 8 ± 5 minutes; FG: 9 ± 3, 8 ± 4 minutes, respectively) (p > 0.05). The FG had significantly lower pain scores than the BG at 1, 2 and 3 hours following surgery (p < 0.05). Rescue analgesia was administered to 11/12 (92%) and 2/13 (15%) dogs in the BG and FG, respectively (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Firocoxib produced better post-operative analgesia than butorphanol. Firocoxib may be used as part of a multimodal analgesia protocol but may not be effective as a sole analgesic.