Underlying neurophysiological mechanisms of non-arthritic chronic painful conditions in cats

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Chronic pain decreases mobility and has a negative impact on quality of life. It affects humans and cats in a similar manner and can become a long-term debilitating disease. In cats, main examples include osteoarthritis, feline gingivitis-stomatitis complex, interstitial cystitis, diabetes-induced chronic pain and long-term pain after surgery due to nerve damage and trauma. Unfortunately, with the exception of research on osteoarthritis, little is known about underlying pain mechanisms of chronic pain in cats. For example, these animals can present persistent post-surgical pain after onychectomy (“declawing”), the amputation of the third phalanx of each digit that is commonly performed in Canada and United States. Signs of pain include chronic lameness, back pain, inappropriate elimination habits, reluctance to ambulate, licking and chewing at the digits, aversion to the feet being touched, long-term changes on weight-bearing, among others. These signs lead to suffering, disability and reduced quality of life, and are a major burden to these cats as most of the chronic conditions. Additionally, information on treatment is almost inexistent in most feline chronic painful conditions. A long-term research program to investigate the underlying mechanisms of non-arthritic chronic pain and its burden in cats is urgently required to address this need, and is the objective of this proposal. These mechanisms will be studied using non-invasive, novel, objective assessment of pain thresholds in cats with naturally-occurring chronic painful disease, by measuring inflammatory biomarkers and response to administration of different classes of analgesics. The burden of pain will be studied by using a clinical instrument (questionnaire-based assessment by veterinarian) that assess mobility, posture, etc., objective measurements of limb use, activity monitoring and infrared imaging science (thermographic cameras that detect radiation produced by inflammation) before and after analgesic treatment. Appropriate treatment of chronic painful conditions will be only possible once these mechanisms are known. This program will be conducted by a leading research group in feline pain management within a stimulating environment for research training and should yield optimal therapeutic interventions. It will produce an immediate impact to animal welfare and improve pain management in cats.