Clinical assessments of increased sensory sensitivity in dogs with cranial cruciate ligament rupture

• Published in: The veterinary journal (1997) Vol. 193; no. 2; pp. 545 - 550
• Main Authors: Brydges, N.M., Argyle, D.J., Mosley, J.R., Duncan, J.C., Fleetwood-Walker, S., Clements, D.N.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.08.2012
• Subjects: analgesics; Animals; Anterior Cruciate Ligament - physiology; Anterior Cruciate Ligament - physiopathology; Biomechanical Phenomena; Canine; Chronic pain; Chronic Pain - complications; Chronic Pain - physiopathology; Chronic Pain - veterinary; cranial cruciate ligament; Cranial cruciate ligament rupture; Dog Diseases - etiology; Dog Diseases - physiopathology; Dogs; Female; Gait; Hindlimb - physiology; Hindlimb - physiopathology; Hyperalgesia - etiology; Hyperalgesia - physiopathology; Hyperalgesia - veterinary; hypersensitivity; Male; pain; Pain Measurement - methods; Pain Measurement - veterinary; quality of life; Quantitative assessment; Rupture - physiopathology; Rupture - veterinary; Sensory tests; Thermosensing; Weight-Bearing; Cranial cruciate ligament rupture; Quantitative assessment; Sensory tests; Chronic pain; Canine
• ISSN: 1090-0233; 1532-2971
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2012.01.019

Dogs with chronic pain have a compromised quality of life. Repeatable and accurate sensory assessments form a means by which the hypersensitivity likely to reflect chronic pain may be quantified. These assessments can be applied to individuals to identify those that may benefit from improved analgesic relief. In this study four sensory assessments were evaluated in dogs presenting with a naturally occurring chronic painful condition (cranial cruciate ligament rupture, CCLR) and were compared with healthy control animals of similar age and weight. Inter-digital von Frey filament and thermal sensitivity tests revealed that the affected hind limb of dogs with CCLR was significantly more sensitive than the opposing limb. Static weight bearing and gait parameter scores were also reduced in the affected hind limb compared to the opposing hind limb of dogs with CCLR; no such differences were found between the hind limbs of healthy (control) dogs. The quantitative sensory tests permitted the differentiation of limbs affected by CCLR from healthy limbs. Dogs presenting with CCLR demonstrate objectively quantitative sensory sensitivities, which may require additional consideration in case management.