Feasi
bility and inter-session repeata
bility of cold and mechanical quantitative sensory testing (QST) were assessed in 24 normal dogs. Cold thermal latencies were evaluated using a thermal pro
be (0
xA0;掳C) applied to three pelvic lim
b sites. Mechanical thresholds were measured using an electronic von Frey anesthesiometer (EVF) and a
blunt-pro
bed pressure algometer (PA) applied to the dorsal aspect of the metatarsus. All QST trials were performed with dogs in lateral recum
bency. Collection of cold QST data was easy (feasi
ble) in 19/24 (79%) dogs. However, only 18.4%, 18.9% and 13.2% of cold QST trials elicited a response at the medial ti
bia, third digital pad and plantar metatarsal regions, respectively. Collection of mechanical QST data was easy (feasi
ble) in 20/24 (83%) dogs for
both EVF and PA.
At consecutive sampling times, approximately 2xA0;weeks apart, the average EVF sensory thresholds were 414xA0;卤xA0;186xA0;g and 379xA0;卤xA0;166xA0;g, respectively, and the average PA sensory thresholds were 1089xA0;卤xA0;414xA0;g and 1028xA0;卤xA0;331xA0;g, respectively. There was no significant difference in inter-session or inter-limb threshold values for either mechanical QST device. The cold QST protocol in this study was achievable, but did not provide consistently quantifiable results. Both mechanical QST devices tested provided repeatable, reliable sensory threshold measurements in normal, client-owned dogs. These findings contribute to the validation of the EVF and PA as tools to obtain repeated QST data over time in dogs to assess somatosensory processing changes.