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Equine veterinary journal2022; 54(6); 1094-1102; doi: 10.1111/evj.13559

Pain severity scores for common equine disorders as provided by horse owners and equine veterinarians.

Abstract: Understanding factors influencing assessment of pain in horses will facilitate communication between veterinarians and horse owners. Objective: To compare estimates of pain experienced by horses as provided by veterinarians and horse owners and to determine factors associated with individuals who perceive horses to be experiencing extreme pain or minimal pain. Methods: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Internet-based questionnaires for horse owners and veterinarians included items related to recognition of pain in horses, estimated degree of pain experienced by horses, and demographic information. Variables associated with perception of a high or low degree of pain were investigated using logistic regression analyses. Results: Final data sets included responses from 553 horse owners and 263 veterinarians. Pain scores varied widely and differences in median scores from horse owners and veterinarians were small. Horse owners providing high pain ratings were more likely to have <10 horses (odds ratio [OR] = 2.0, 95% CI = 1.1-3.5) and to not have a college degree (OR = 1.5, 95% CI = 1.0-2.2). Those providing low pain ratings were less likely to own <10 horses (OR = 0.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.4-0.9). Veterinarians providing high pain ratings were more likely to be employed in a mixed animal practice (OR = 2.8, 95% CI = 1.3-5.9) and to lack board-certification in a veterinary specialty (OR = 2.1, 95% CI = 1.1-4.2). Veterinarians providing low pain ratings were more likely to be male (OR = 2.4, 95% CI = 1.3-4.2). Conclusions: The respondent population may be biased because of the method of questionnaire distribution and associated sampling bias. Respondents were primarily from the United States. Conclusions: Assessments of the degree of pain horses are experiencing vary widely among horse owners and equine veterinarians.
© 2022 EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2022-02-07 PubMed ID: 35034381DOI: 10.1111/evj.13559Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This study investigates the perception of pain in horses from the viewpoints of both horse owners and equine veterinarians, revealing a wide range of assessments and identifying factors that influence high and low pain estimations.

Research Purpose and Methodology

The aim of this research was to compare estimations of pain experienced by horses as made by veterinarians and horse owners. The team also sought to identify characteristics linked with those who perceive horses to be suffering from extreme pain or minimal pain. For this, an Internet-based questionnaire was distributed to horse owners and veterinarians, retrieving information on their recognition of equine pain, their estimated degree of pain horses experience, and their own demographic details.

Data Analysis and Results

  • The study involved the analysis of responses from 553 horse owners and 263 equine veterinarians.
  • There was a wide variance in pain scores, although the difference in median scores from horse owners and veterinarians was small.
  • Horse owners more likely to give high pain ratings to horses had fewer than 10 horses or lacked a college degree.
  • Horse owners less likely to ascribe high pain ratings owned more than 10 horses.
  • Veterinarians who were more inclined to give high pain ratings were primarily employed in a mixed animal practice or lacked board-certification in a veterinary specialty.
  • Male veterinarians were more likely to give low pain scores.

Limitations and Conclusions

The research was subject to potential bias due to the mode of questionnaire distribution creating a sampling bias. The majority of respondents were from the United States, further limiting the breadth of the study. The findings showed that evaluations of the degree of pain horses experience can widely vary among horse owners and equine veterinarians. This highlights the need for improved communication and understanding in assessing and managing equine pain.

Cite This Article

APA
Sellon DC, Sanz M, Kopper JJ, Mattei D. (2022). Pain severity scores for common equine disorders as provided by horse owners and equine veterinarians. Equine Vet J, 54(6), 1094-1102. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13559

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 54
Issue: 6
Pages: 1094-1102

Researcher Affiliations

Sellon, Debra C
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA.
Sanz, Macarena
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA.
Kopper, Jamie J
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA.
Mattei, Debora
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Horse Diseases
  • Horses
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pain / veterinary
  • Pain Measurement / veterinary
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Veterinarians

Grant Funding

  • Zoetis, Inc

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Citations

This article has been cited 5 times.
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