Development of a pressure nociceptive threshold testing device for evaluation of analgesics in cats

• Published in: Research in veterinary science Vol. 82; no. 1; pp. 85 - 92
• Main Authors: Dixon, M.J., Taylor, P.M., Steagall, P.V.M., Brondani, J.T., Luna, S.P.L.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier India Pvt Ltd 01-02-2007; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Analgesia; analgesic effect; analgesics; Analgesics - therapeutic use; animal behavior; Animals; butorphanol; Butorphanol - therapeutic use; Cat; Cat Diseases - drug therapy; Cats; dose response; drug evaluation; Female; inflammation; Inflammation - chemically induced; Inflammation - veterinary; Kaolin - toxicity; Male; Measurement; monitoring; nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents; NSAID; Opioid; opium alkaloids; Pain; Pain - drug therapy; Pain - veterinary; Pain Measurement - instrumentation; Pain Measurement - veterinary; pharmacokinetics; physiological response; pressure gauges; Pressure nociceptive threshold testing; Pressure threshold; veterinary equipment; Veterinary medicine; Measurement; Analgesia; Pressure threshold; Pain; Equipment; NSAID; Cat; Pressure nociceptive threshold testing; Opioid
• ISSN: 0034-5288; 1532-2661
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2006.03.010

A pressure analgesiometric device was developed for unrestrained cats. Eleven cats were studied. Stimulation was via three rounded pins within a bracelet on the forearm. The pins were advanced by manual bladder inflation. Bladder pressure was measured using a strain gauge pressure transducer. The threshold was recorded at the behavioural end point. Thresholds were measured at 5 and 15
min intervals for 2–4
h, after removal/replacement of the cuff, for 120
min after SC butorphanol (0.4
mg/kg), and with mild skin inflammation at the testing site. Data were analysed using ANOVA. Pressure thresholds in untreated cats were around 150
mmHg. The minimum interval for testing was established as 15
min. Data were reproducible over 4
h and beyond 24
h. Thresholds in 5 cats increased (
P
<
0.05) above baseline for 45
min after butorphanol with a maximum increase of 270
±
182
mmHg at 10
min. Thresholds decreased with inflammation. The method appears suitable for feline analgesia investigations.