There are currently no valid and reliable methods for the owner evaluation of chronic pain in their cats and their assessment of whether pain therapy is effective. Cats will have an osteoarthritis diagnosis confirmed through patient history, physical exam, blood work, and x-rays; owners will then participate in a focus group conversation with up to seven other cat owners to talk about their cat’s pain and how it affects their behavior, activity, and interaction with the owner or other pets in the household. From this discussion we hope to develop a set of questions that will allow owners to quantify their cat’s pain condition and evaluate response to therapy. By developing a standardized and validated questionnaire for assessing chronic pain in cats, we can collect quality data to support appropriate decision making for veterinarians by allowing comparisons to be made between pain management techniques, therapeutics, materials, indications, methodologies, and treatment centers.
Eligibility Criteria
- Your cat must have arthritis that causes pain in at least one joint. This will be diagnosed via exam, history, x-rays, and blood work.
- You must agree to return to MJR-VHUP at a designated time to participate in a focus group with approximately 7 other participants. This is a discussion about your cat’s condition that will last 60-90 minutes.
Benefits
There is no fee for participating in this study. If you choose to participate in this study, your cat will receive a physical exam, blood work, and x-rays free of charge. Upon completion of the focus group session you will receive a $50 gift card for your time.
If you are interested in learning more about this study, please contact the Veterinary Clinical Investigations Center at 215-573-0302 or vcic@vet.upenn.edu.