Maltese dog running
Maltese dog running (Photo by Joe Caione from Unsplash)

Veterinarians may be getting it very wrong when examining your dog’s sensitivity to pain

June 30, 20230 comments
by StudyFinds Staff

RALEIGH, N.C. — Different dog breeds exhibit varying levels of pain sensitivity, but these differences don’t always align with the commonly held beliefs about breed-specific pain. A recent study conducted by researchers at North Carolina State University reveals how a dog’s temperament, specifically its interaction with strangers, can influence the way veterinarians perceive that breed’s pain sensitivity.

“Veterinarians have a fairly strong consensus in their ratings of pain sensitivity in dogs of different breeds, and those ratings are often at odds with ratings from members of the public,” says Margaret Gruen, associate professor of behavioral medicine and co-corresponding author of the study.

 

FIGURE 1. Ten dog breeds/breed types selected for study inclusion. (A) Findings from Gruen et al. (1) demonstrating the average pain sensitivity ratings by both veterinarians and general public members for the ten dog breeds selected. The scale ranged from 0 = not at all sensitive to 100 = most sensitive imaginable. In Gruen et al. (1), median pain sensitivity ratings between veterinarians and the general public were compared using two-sample t-tests, and p-values = 0.001 are indicated using asterisks (*). (B) Visual representation of the ten dog breeds/breed types selected based on the classification of pain sensitivity ratings by veterinarians. Height is demonstrated for each breed, as consideration was provided to include dog breeds/breed types of varying sizes.
FIGURE 1. Ten dog breeds/breed types selected for study inclusion. (A) Findings from Gruen et al. (1) demonstrating the average pain sensitivity ratings by both veterinarians and general public members for the ten dog breeds selected. The scale ranged from 0 = not at all sensitive to 100 = most sensitive imaginable. In Gruen et al. (1), median pain sensitivity ratings between veterinarians and the general public were compared using two-sample t-tests, and p-values = 0.001 are indicated using asterisks (*). (B) Visual representation of the ten dog breeds/breed types selected based on the classification of pain sensitivity ratings by veterinarians. Height is demonstrated for each breed, as consideration was provided to include dog breeds/breed types of varying sizes. (Credit: NC State)

The study investigated whether there is a correlation between perceived breed pain sensitivity and actual pain thresholds in dogs. Researchers examined 149 adult healthy dogs from 10 different breeds that had been subjectively rated by veterinarians as having high, average, or low pain sensitivity. Pain sensitivity was measured using methods adapted from human clinical medicine, involving pressure and temperature tests applied to the dogs’ back paws. Emotional reactivity tests were also conducted to assess the dogs’ response to unfamiliar objects and people.

FIGURE 2. Quantitative sensory testing methods used (27). (A–C) EVF device: (A) EVF device set up displaying the von Frey tip with the cord affixed to the recording device, (B) close-up of the 0.9-mm von Frey tip applicator used, and (C) close-up of the recording device that demonstrates the current force (center), the maximum force applied (upper left), and the unit force measured (upper right). (D–F) PA device: (D) PA device setup displaying the blunt probe affixed to the recording device, (E) close-up of the recording device displaying the maximum force applied (center) and the unit force measured (top), and (F) application of the blunt probed PA to the metatarsus of the dog demonstrating the researcher's technique of applying the tip perpendicular to the dog's skin. (G, H) Thermal device including the thermosensory analyzer connected to the laptop and the thermode: (G) laptop screen displayed when the thermosensory analyzer is ready to start a new test and (H) application of the thermal probe to the metatarsus of the dog. The researcher uses a stopwatch to record the latency for the dog to display a behavioral response within one-hundredth of a second. EVFG, electronic von Frey; PA, pressure algometer.
FIGURE 2. Quantitative sensory testing methods used (27). (A–C) EVF device: (A) EVF device set up displaying the von Frey tip with the cord affixed to the recording device, (B) close-up of the 0.9-mm von Frey tip applicator used, and (C) close-up of the recording device that demonstrates the current force (center), the maximum force applied (upper left), and the unit force measured (upper right). (D–F) PA device: (D) PA device setup displaying the blunt probe affixed to the recording device, (E) close-up of the recording device displaying the maximum force applied (center) and the unit force measured (top), and (F) application of the blunt probed PA to the metatarsus of the dog demonstrating the researcher’s technique of applying the tip perpendicular to the dog’s skin. (G, H) Thermal device including the thermosensory analyzer connected to the laptop and the thermode: (G) laptop screen displayed when the thermosensory analyzer is ready to start a new test and (H) application of the thermal probe to the metatarsus of the dog. The researcher uses a stopwatch to record the latency for the dog to display a behavioral response within one-hundredth of a second. EVFG, electronic von Frey; PA, pressure algometer. (Credit: NC State)

The results indicated that there are indeed breed-specific differences in pain sensitivity thresholds among dogs. However, these differences did not always align with the rankings provided by veterinarians. For example, Maltese dogs demonstrated a high sensitivity threshold, consistent with veterinarians’ perception. In contrast, Siberian huskies were thought to be highly sensitive by veterinarians, but their pain tolerance was found to be in the mid-range. Interestingly, some larger breeds believed to be sensitive actually showed average-to-high pain tolerance.

The study also revealed a potential link between a dog’s emotional reactivity and veterinarians’ pain tolerance ratings for certain breeds. Dogs that were less likely to engage with novel objects or show stress during interactions with strangers were sometimes rated as having lower pain tolerance. This suggests that a dog’s stress levels and emotional reactivity during a veterinary visit could influence a veterinarian’s perception of pain tolerance for that breed.

The findings of this study suggest that biological differences exist in pain sensitivity between dog breeds, emphasizing the need for individualized treatment approaches. Researchers aim to further explore the biological causes behind these differences, which could lead to more effective breed-specific pain management strategies. Additionally, the study highlights the importance of considering a dog’s anxiety and emotional well-being during veterinary visits, as these factors can influence how pain is perceived.

“On the behavioral side, these findings show that we need to think about not just pain, but also a dog’s anxiety in the veterinary setting,” Gruen says in a university release. “And they can help explain why veterinarians may think about certain breeds’ sensitivity the way they do.”

Veterinarian working with worried dog owner
(© pressmaster – stock.adobe.com)

“This study is exciting because it shows us that there are biological differences in pain sensitivity between breeds. Now we can begin looking for potential biological causes to explain these differences, which will enable us to treat individual breeds more effectively,” adds translation pain research professor Duncan Lascelles.

Overall, this study sheds light on the complex relationship between breed-specific pain sensitivity, veterinarians’ beliefs, and the emotional well-being of dogs during veterinary visits, opening avenues for further research and improved care for our beloved canine companions.

The study is published in the journal Frontiers in Pain Research.

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