Post-anesthetic CPS and EQUUS-FAP scores in surgical and non-surgical equine patients: an observational study

Background Equine pain scoring may be affected by the residual effect of anesthetic drugs. Objectives To compare scores in hours immediately following recovery to baseline pre-anesthetic equine patients undergoing surgical and non-surgical procedures. Study design Clinical observational study. Methods Fifty adult horses anesthesia for or procedures were enrolled. Horses underwent using Composite Pain Score (CPS) Utrecht University Scale Facial Assessment (EQUUS-FAP) prior (T0) standing, every hour 5 h (T1-T5). Data analyzed a generalized linear mixed effects model. A post-hoc Dunnett's test multiple comparisons was performed variables where an detected. Results Mean (95% confidence interval) CPS T0-T5 1.6 (1.2–2.0), 6.8 (6.0–7.6), 5.1 (4.3–5.9), 4.3 (3.4–5.2), 3.7 (2.8–4.6), 2.8 (2.0–3.6) EQUUS-FAP 0.6 (0.3–0.9), 3.0 (2.5–3.5), 1.9 (1.6–2.2), 1.1 (0.8–1.4), (0.4–0.8), 0.7 (0.4–1.0), respectively. For CPS, greater than 5, 3, are consistent with minor pain. There no type procedure (surgical vs non-surgical) on scores. time significantly at T1-T5 T1 T2. Main limitations Discomfort caused hoisting not quantified it difficult ascertain if this results. Conclusions Post-anesthetic influenced agents as long 2 EQUUS-FAP,