Comparative Behavioral Research, Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University; Translational Research in Pain (TRiP) Program, Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University.
Small Animal Orthopedic Surgery, Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University.
J Vis Exp. 2021 Oct 26(176). doi: 10.3791/62841.
Quantitative sensory testing (QST) is used to evaluate the function of the somatosensory system in dogs by assessing the response to applied mechanical and thermal stimuli. QST is used to determine normal dogs' sensory thresholds and evaluate alterations in peripheral and central sensory pathways caused by various disease states, including osteoarthritis, spinal cord injury, and cranial cruciate ligament rupture. Mechanical sensory thresholds are measured by electronic von Frey anesthesiometers and pressure algometers. They are determined as the force at which the dog exhibits a response indicating conscious stimulus perception. Hot thermal sensory thresholds are the latency to respond to a fixed or ramped temperature stimulus applied by a contact thermode. Following a consistent protocol for performing QST and paying attention to details of the testing environment, procedure, and individual study subjects are critical for obtaining accurate QST results for dogs. Protocols for the standardized collection of QST data in dogs have not been described in detail. QST should be performed in a quiet, distraction-free environment that is comfortable for the dog, the QST operator, and the handler. Ensuring that the dog is calm, relaxed, and properly positioned for each measurement helps produce reliable, consistent responses to the stimuli and makes the testing process more manageable. The QST operator and handler should be familiar and comfortable with handling dogs and interpreting dogs' behavioral responses to potentially painful stimuli to determine the endpoint of testing, reduce stress, and maintain safety during the testing process.
定量感觉测试（QST）用于通过评估对施加的机械和热刺激的反应来评估犬的感觉系统功能。QST 用于确定正常犬的感觉阈值，并评估各种疾病状态（包括骨关节炎、脊髓损伤和十字韧带断裂）引起的周围和中枢感觉通路的改变。机械感觉阈值通过电子 von Frey 麻醉计和压力测痛计进行测量。它们被确定为狗表现出有意识刺激感知的反应的力。热感觉阈值是对接触热电极施加的固定或斜坡温度刺激做出反应的潜伏期。遵循一致的 QST 执行方案并注意测试环境、程序和个体研究对象的细节对于获得犬的准确 QST 结果至关重要。在犬中标准化收集 QST 数据的方案尚未详细描述。QST 应在安静、无干扰且犬、QST 操作员和处理人员感到舒适的环境中进行。确保犬在每次测量时保持冷静、放松且处于适当的位置，有助于对刺激产生可靠、一致的反应，并使测试过程更易于管理。QST 操作员和处理人员应熟悉并舒适地处理犬，并解释犬对潜在疼痛刺激的行为反应，以确定测试的终点，减轻压力并在测试过程中保持安全。
