Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
How anxiety affects pain scores in dogs after surgery
By Ellwood, Bethan & Murison, Pamela J·Published in Veterinary anaesthesia and analgesia·2022·Small Animal Hospital, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Investigating the effect of anxiety on pain scores in dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 18 dogs undergoing surgery for knee problems were assessed for pain and anxiety before and after their operations. The study found that while anxiety levels did not seem to affect pain scores before surgery, both anxiety and pain increased after the procedure. This suggests that even if a dog is anxious, it may not directly influence how much pain they feel initially. However, it's important for pet owners to be aware that both anxiety and pain can rise after surgery, so monitoring and managing these symptoms postoperatively is crucial for recovery.
People also search for: dog anxiety after surgery · dog pain management post-op · signs of pain in dogs after surgery
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between anxiety and pain scores using the Glasgow Composite Measure Pain Scale-Short Form (CMPS-SF) in dogs. STUDY: Prospective observational study. ANIMALS: A group of 18 dogs undergoing surgical management of stifle disease. METHODS: Preoperatively dogs were scored using the CMPS-SF, the anxiety behaviour-based Reactivity Evaluation Form (REF), a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for anxiety and a sedation score. Assessments of pain, anxiety and sedation were repeated approximately 2-6 hours postoperatively. Dogs were divided into groups based on preoperative REF ('Low REF' and 'High REF'), and VAS scores ('Low VAS' and 'High VAS'). Scores (CMPS-SF, REF, VAS and sedation) were compared between groups using Mann-Whitney U tests. Preoperative and postoperative CMPS-SF, REF and VAS scores were compared using Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. Relationships between anxiety and CMPS-SF scores were assessed using a Spearman rank correlation coefficient. Scores are presented as median (range). A p value of < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: When divided based on REF, CMPS-SF scores did not differ between groups preoperatively [Low REF: 2 (0-3), High REF: 2 (1-3); p = 0.509] or postoperatively [Low REF: 3 (2-5), High REF: 3 (2-5); p = 0.624]. When divided based on VAS, CMPS-SF scores did not differ between groups preoperatively [Low VAS: 2 (0-2), High VAS: 2 (1-3); p = 0.215] or postoperatively [Low VAS: 3 (2-5), High VAS: 3 (2-5); p = 1]. Postoperative REF [pre: 4.5 (2-8), post: 5 (4-10); p = 0.0105] and CMPS-SF scores [pre: 2 (0-3), post: 3 (2-5); p = 0.0318] increased significantly compared with preoperative scores. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: No apparent relationship exists between baseline anxiety levels and CMPS-SF scores. Understanding the influence of anxiety when using the CMPS-SF is important when assessing pain in dogs. Anxiety and pain may increase postoperatively in dogs undergoing orthopaedic surgery.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34876383/