This course provides a comprehensive and practical overview of acute pain management in dogs and cats, emphasizing both the scientific background and clinical application. Participants will gain insight into why pain management is essential, not only for animal welfare but also for improving recovery, clinical outcomes, and client relationships.
The course begins with the fundamentals of pain physiology, including transduction, transmission, modulation, and perception, and highlights the importance of early and effective treatment of acute (adaptive) pain to prevent progression toward maladaptive or chronic pain states. Attention is given to the differences between acute and chronic pain, and the challenges associated with each.
A strong focus is placed on pain assessment, including the use of validated pain scoring tools and their practical application in clinical decision-making. Participants will learn how to evaluate whether analgesia is required, assess treatment efficacy, and adjust therapeutic plans accordingly.
Different types of pain are explored, including nociceptive and neuropathic pain, with discussion of their underlying mechanisms, clinical presentation, and response to treatment. The course emphasizes a multimodal and preventive approach to analgesia, integrating systemic medications, local and regional techniques, and non-pharmaceutical methods to optimize patient comfort.
Practical guidance is provided on designing analgesic plans tailored to the individual patient, considering what to use, when to administer treatment (pre-, intra-, and post-operatively), and how long to continue therapy. The concept of functional recovery is highlighted, focusing on achieving a balance between comfort and safety.
Participants will review a wide range of analgesic options, including opioids, NSAIDs, local anesthetics, alpha-2 agonists, ketamine, lidocaine, paracetamol, and adjunctive therapies. The course also covers constant rate infusions, local and regional anesthesia techniques, and the role of physical therapies such as physiotherapy and rehabilitation.
Case-based discussions form a core part of the course, illustrating the application of principles across common clinical scenarios such as ovariectomy, mastectomy, orthopedic surgery, dental procedures, neurological conditions, and oncologic pain. These cases demonstrate practical decision-making in both hospital and at-home settings.
Finally, the course highlights the importance of holistic patient care, including environmental management, nursing care, and home adaptations, to maximize comfort and recovery.
Overall, this course equips veterinary professionals with the knowledge and tools to implement effective, multimodal pain management strategies in everyday clinical practice.
