title: Effects of age and reproductive status on postoperative pain after routine ovariohysterectomy in cats.
abstract: A prospective clinical trial to compare the effects of age and reproductive status on postoperative pain was conducted in 145 female cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy using injectable anaesthesia. The cats were grouped appropriately: 60 kittens <4 months old (K), 85 adults >4 months old (A) and, within the adult group, 57 normal adults (nA) and 28 adults who were either pregnant or in oestrus (rA). Pain was assessed using a simple descriptive scale (SDS; 0-3), a dynamic and interactive visual scale (DIVAS; 0-100 mm) and mechanical nociceptive thresholds (MNT; N, 2 mm diameter probe) pre-operatively and at 4 and 24 h postoperatively. Kittens had lower DIVAS areas under the time curve and SDS than adults (P <0.05), but similar MNT (K: 3.3 ± 2.6, A: 4.3 ± 2.5 N at 4 h, P >0.05). Data from nA and rA were not different (P >0.05). Kittens had similar wound tenderness, but less affective pain than adults, and reproductive status had no effect.
authors.affiliation: 1School of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
authors.forename: Sally
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Polson
authors.forename: Polly M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Taylor
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Yates
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging; D000700:Analgesics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats; D004971:Estrus; D005260:Female; D007044:Hysterectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000662:veterinary*; D010052:Ovariectomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000662:veterinary*; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000662:veterinary*; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012098:Reproduction
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics
references.citation: N Z Vet J. 1998 Apr;46(2):68-71
references.pmid: 16032019
references.citation: J Am Vet Med Assoc. 1997 Jul 1;211(1):57-62
references.pmid: 9215412
references.citation: Vet Rec. 2013 Jan 12;172(2):53-4
references.pmid: 23314438
references.citation: Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 2008 Nov;38(6):1291-308, vi-vii
references.pmid: 18954685
references.citation: Pain. 2005 Jun;115(3):410-418
references.pmid: 15876494
references.citation: Vet Rec. 2009 Mar 21;164(12):359-63
references.pmid: 19305006
references.citation: J Feline Med Surg. 2011 Jan;13(1):3-10
references.pmid: 21215944
references.citation: J Pain. 2012 Jul;13(7):646-55
references.pmid: 22634142
references.citation: Int J Nurs Stud. 1990;27(3):213-21
references.pmid: 2379982
references.citation: Pain. 1997 Aug;72(1-2):153-9
references.pmid: 9272799
references.citation: Am J Vet Res. 2011 Feb;72(2):174-83
references.pmid: 21281191
references.citation: J Feline Med Surg. 2006 Feb;8(1):15-21
references.pmid: 16213762
references.citation: J Feline Med Surg. 2012 Aug;14(8):553-9
references.pmid: 22505603
references.citation: J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2004 Feb 1;224(3):372-9
references.pmid: 14765796
references.citation: Physiol Behav. 1996 Mar;59(3):543-7
references.pmid: 8700958
references.citation: J Feline Med Surg. 2010 Apr;12(4):247-55
references.pmid: 19836984