Tools that assess pain in cats and dogs have changed veterinary and pharmaceutical practice
Published: 16 November 2023
Researchers Andrea Nolan, Jacky Reid, Marian Scott and Gillian Calvo from the University of Glasgow have developed tools to assess pain in cats and dogs.
Tools that assess pain in cats and dogs have changed veterinary and pharmaceutical practice
Researchers Andrea Nolan, Jacky Reid, Marian Scott and Gillian Calvo from the University of Glasgow have developed tools to assess pain in cats and dogs, leading to significant changes in veterinary and pharmaceutical practices. These tools are used to measure acute and chronic pain in animals and evaluate their quality of life. The Glasgow Composite Measure Pain Scale (CMPS) is considered the gold standard for assessing acute pain in dogs and has been recommended by the World Small Animal Veterinary Association.
The team introduced the Glasgow Composite Measure Pain Score (CMPS) in 2001, providing veterinarians with a reliable scale to assess acute pain in dogs. They later developed a shorter version, CMPS-SF, in 2007, making it more convenient for veterinarians to use in routine clinical settings. To address the need for feline pain assessment, they created CMPS Feline in 2012-2013, enabling accurate evaluation of pain in cats.
These pain assessment tools have had a positive impact on veterinary practice. The Glasgow CMPS has become the preferred method for evaluating acute pain in dogs and has received endorsement from the World Small Animal Veterinary Association. With these tools at their disposal, veterinarians can make objective assessments of pain intensity, leading to improved treatment and better quality of life for their animal patients.
The impact of these tools has extended beyond veterinary clinics. Newmetrica Ltd., a company established in 2013, has successfully commercialized the pain assessment tools developed by the University of Glasgow. Veterinarians worldwide have embraced these tools, with licenses issued to practices in various countries. Translations of the tools are available in different languages, making them accessible to a wider audience.
The pharmaceutical industry has also recognized the value of these pain assessment tools. Companies like Elanco Animal Health and Aratana Therapeutics have used the CMPS-SF in clinical trials to demonstrate the effectiveness of their pain medications for dogs. Supported by the tools, these trials have led to regulatory approvals from the US Food & Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency, offering safer and more effective pain management options for dogs.
First published: 16 November 2023