"The robust advances in pain management for companion animals underlie the decision of AAHA and AAFP to expand on the information provided in the 2007 AAHA/AAFP Pain Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats."
Nobody wants to see their dog in pain.
When Jasmine tore her knee ligament, I thought that watching her limp was the most horrible thing ever. Then I saw her suffering from a neck injury ... Even morphine couldn't make an acceptable dent in that pain.
We always employed all means of pain management, be it medications, stem cells, physical therapy, cold laser, acupuncture ...
Some types of pain seem quite resistant to treatment.
Some pain is easy to observe, such as when your dog is limping. It is not always that obvious and pain might show as behavioral changes, loss of appetite and other signs not readily associated with pain.
Pain is detrimental psychologically as well as physiologically.
Pain actually slows healing and recovery. It negatively affects quality of life and it just sucks.
A lot has happened in the field of pain management for dogs since 2007 and the updated guidelines reflect these changes.
The document covers recognition and assessment of pain, pharmacological interventions, non-pharmacologic modalities and other great information.
Source article:
2015 AAHA/AAFP Pain Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats
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Dog Knee Injuries: Should You Say Yes To Pain Management?