Owner chronic pain scales in dogs: CBPI and LOAD

Question

You are about to start treatment in a 10-year-old Labrador bitch with hip osteoarthritis. In the clinic she walks without obvious lameness, but at home she struggles to get up and has stopped jumping into the car.

Which statement about the use of these scales is correct?

chevron_right Show answer and explanation

A. They are completed by the veterinarian during the consultation, as owners overestimate pain

These scales are validated for owners. In the clinic, stress and adrenaline mask chronic pain, and the vet only sees the dog for a few minutes.

B. They are completed by the owner, who observes the dog in its own environment; a baseline score is recorded and they are repeated over time to assess the response

Correct. The CBPI (Canine Brief Pain Inventory) assesses pain severity and its interference with activity, and LOAD (Liverpool Osteoarthritis in Dogs) assesses mobility. They are validated for owners, who see the dog every day; ideally the same person always completes them.

C. A single high score confirms the diagnosis of osteoarthritis without the need for examination

They measure the impact of chronic pain, not its cause. Diagnosis requires orthopaedic examination and, where appropriate, imaging.

D. They are acute pain scales and are only useful in the immediate postoperative period

Other scales (such as the Glasgow scale) are used for acute postoperative pain; the CBPI and LOAD are designed for chronic pain.

lightbulb Key takeaway

Ask the owner to complete the scale before starting and at each recheck (for example at 2–4 weeks): it turns vague impressions into data and makes it easier to adjust treatment. In cats, the validated equivalent is the FMPI (Feline Musculoskeletal Pain Index).

Which statement about the use of these scales is correct?

Related questions