Pain

Introduction

• Impossible to prove that an animal feels pain but common sense suggests that animals experience pain in the same way as man: they have similar physiology and pharmacology; they have some similar reactions to same noxious stimuli; they avoid repeating a painful experience.
• Pain relief is an essential part of animal welfare.

• Assume that pain occurs; therefore it must be treated.
• Essential to know:
  • Signs of pain .
  • When analgesics are usually needed.
  • What drug/dose/route is most effective .

Diagnosis

Clinical signs

• Increased abnormal behavior patterns.
• Decreased normal behavior patterns.
  Species specific - need to learn specific behavior signs for each species, eg dog, cat, horse.

• Decreased weight.
• Decreased food intake.
• Decreased water intake.
• Decreased activity.

Sources

Publications

Refereed papers

• Recent references from PubMed.
• American Animal Hospital Association; American Association of Feline Practitioners; AAHA/AAFP Pain Management Guidelines Task Force Members, Hellyer P, Rodan I, Brunt J, Downing R, Hagedorn J E & Robertson S A (2007) AAHA/AAFP pain management guidelines for dogs and cats. JAAHA 43 (5), 235-248 PubMed.
• Capner C A, Lascelles B D X & Waterman-Pearson A E (1999) Peri-operative analgesia in dogs. Vet Rec 145 (4), 95-99.
• Holton L L, Scott E M, Nolan A M, Reid J & Welsh E (1998) Relationship between physiological factors and clinical pain in dogs scored using a numerical rating scale. JSAP 39 , 469-474.
• Holton L L, Scott E M, Nolan A M, Reid J, Welsh E & Flagherty D (1998) Comparison of 3 methods of pain scoring used to assess clinical pain in dogs. JAVMA 212 , 61-66.