References
A comparative study analysing two pain score scales pre and post operatively on felines undergoing surgery for ovariohysterectomy
Abstract
Background:
Over time, the implementation and utilisation of pain scoring has increased in veterinary practice and is now regularly performed on cats, dogs and rabbits helping to increase welfare standards. There are a number of different types of pain scales including the visual analogue scale (VAS), the dynamic interactive visual analogues scale (DIVAS) as well as simple descriptive scale (SDS).
Aim:
The Colorado State University feline acute pain scale (DIVAS) and the Vetergesic composite pain scale for cats (SDS) are two pain scoring models which use a different method in order to assess pain levels in feline patients. This blind study aimed to compare the use of each pain scale model pre and post operatively on feline patients undergoing surgery for ovariohysterectomy, to ascertain if either pain score model posed any benefit over the other in terms of its accuracy.
Methods:
A total of 14 female cats participated and were randomly assigned a group. In order to compare the results the scales were converted into comparable numerical values as each model used a different scale; the scales were compared using the statistical software package ‘Minitab’.
Results:
The results were not statistically significant (Man Whitney U test
Feline ovariohysterectomy (spay) is a common routine procedure recommended for female cats in order to control population growth (Andersen et al, 2004). It is therefore a routine procedure carried out daily in veterinary practice. Anecdotal observations suggest that post-operative pain relief from feline ovariohysterectomy is generally not as well monitored in terms of assessing pain when compared with procedures such as orthopaedics. Pain scoring however is a useful tool which should be used more routinely by veterinary nurses in practice for both hospitalised and routine procedures. A study by Coleman and Slingsby (2007) found that only 8% of practices used a pain scoring system routinely.
There are a number of different types of pain scales including the visual analogue scale (VAS), the dynamic interactive visual analogues scale (DIVAS) as well as simple descriptive scale (SDS). This study looked at two of the pain scale models (DIVAS and SDS) used in practice. This blind study compared the use of each pain scale model pre and post operatively on feline patients undergoing surgery for ovariohysterectomy, to ascertain pain score level accuracy. By assessing this area of post-operative care a deeper understanding can be developed of the importance of assessing pain level after routine procedures particularly in felines, which are considered more challenging to assess (Barratt, 2013).
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