Development of objective measures of central sensitization in cats with degenerative joint disease (DJD)-associated pain

We hypothesize that central sensitisation (CS) occurs in cats with chronic DJD-associated pain and that somatosensory (Quantitative Sensory Testing, QST) and somatomotor (Nociceptive Withdrawal Reflex, NWR) testing can detect CS-related sensory changes in cats with naturally occurring DJD. Our overall objective is to develop valid, objective methods to detect somatosensory/somatomotor abnormalities in cats with chronic DJD. We will 1) Determine the feasibility and repeatability of mechanical QST, thermal QST and NWR testing (performed remote from any affected joint) in normal cats and cats with DJD-associated pain and 2) Determine whether one or more of these modalities accurately detects CS-related sensory changes in cats with DJD.