Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
How to recognize chronic pain in dogs with osteoarthritis
By Batista, Maria Toscano et al.·Published in The Veterinary record·2026·Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Development and validation of a chronic pain perception scale for dogs: Structural validity and reliability.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A study developed a new questionnaire called the Chronic Pain Perception Scale (CPPS) to help dog owners recognize signs of chronic pain, particularly from osteoarthritis, which affects many dogs. This tool focuses on both physical signs, like limping or difficulty moving, and emotional signs, such as changes in behavior or mood. By using the CPPS, pet owners can better communicate with their veterinarians about their dog's pain, leading to earlier detection and treatment. The scale has been shown to be reliable and valid, making it a useful resource for dog caregivers.
People also search for: how to tell if my dog has chronic pain · signs of osteoarthritis in dogs · dog pain management tools
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Chronic pain affects 20-37% of dogs, with osteoarthritis as the primary cause. Chronic pain contributes to behavioural problems, negatively affecting both dogs and their caregivers. Early detection is crucial. However, no standardised tool assesses caregivers' ability to recognise chronic pain. METHODS: This cross-sectional study developed the chronic pain perception scale (CPPS), a self-reported questionnaire assessing caregivers' ability to identify chronic pain in dogs with osteoarthritis. Psychometric properties were examined using exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and composite reliability. RESULTS: The final version of the CPPS consisted of seven items grouped into two factors: motor/sensory expression and emotional expression. An initial CFA in a larger sample showed good fit (root mean square error of approximation [RMSEA] = 0.045, p = 0.569), but concerns about factor structure led to a second CFA in a smaller sample. The final CFA showed good fit (standardised root mean square residual = 0.036, goodness-of-fit index = 0.949, normed fit index = 0.966 and comparative fit index = 0.975), despite RMSEA (0.105, p = 0.002) indicating poor fit. LIMITATIONS: The sample lacks diversity as it is composed mostly of women with internet access. Furthermore, as participants were all Portuguese, the tool's validity may not be generalisable to different languages and cultural contexts. CONCLUSION: The CPPS is a valid tool for assessing caregivers' ability to recognise chronic pain in dogs with osteoarthritis, supporting both research and clinical practice. It may also help improve veterinarian‒caregiver communication, enabling earlier detection and management of chronic pain.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41122005/