Keeping an eye on pain: characterization of pain behaviours in cats undergoing ophthalmic surgery.

Methadone effectively reduces identifiable pain behaviors in cats undergoing ophthalmic surgery.

This prospective, controlled, blinded study evaluated pain behaviors in 30 cats undergoing ophthalmic surgery (lamellar keratectomy, enucleation, and eyelid procedures), comparing responses before and after methadone administration. Pain assessment utilized the UNESP-Botucatu feline pain scale and Feline Grimace Scale, with a blinded veterinary behaviorist evaluating video-recorded pain behaviors. Preoperatively, methadone significantly reduced 'lowered head position,' 'bilateral eye squinting and tense face,' and 'no attention to surroundings.' Postoperatively, methadone increased 'attention to surroundings' and decreased 'no attention to surroundings,' indicating improved alertness and reduced sedation-associated unresponsiveness. The study successfully identified specific ocular pain behaviors in cats responsive to analgesic treatment, providing objective parameters for pain assessment in feline ophthalmology. Results support methadone's efficacy in managing perioperative pain in cats undergoing ophthalmic procedures.

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