American journal of veterinary research
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Reliability and validity of a visual analogue scale used by owners to measure chronic pain attributable to osteoarthritis in their dogs.
To assess validity and reliability for a visual analogue scale (VAS) used by owners to measure chronic pain in their osteoarthritic dogs. ⋯ Although valid and reliable, the pain VAS was a poor tool for untrained owners because of poor face validity (ie, owners could not recognize their dogs' behavior as signs of pain). Only after owners had seen pain diminish and then return (after starting and discontinuing NSAID use) did the VAS have face validity.