Definition of Animal Pain
The IVAPM supports the definition of animal pain as offered by Moloney (Moloney V et al., J An Sci. 1997;75:266-272)
“Animal pain is an aversive, sensory experience representing awareness by the animal of damage or threat to the integrity of its tissues (note that there might not be any damage). It changes the animal’s physiology and behaviour to reduce or avoid the damage, to reduce the likelihood of its recurrence and to promote recovery. Non-functional (non-useful) pain occurs when the intensity or duration of the experience is not appropriate for damage sustained (especially if none exists) and when physiological and behavioural responses are unsuccessful in alleviating it.”
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Pain Information & Guidelines
IVAPM is committed to educating all members of the veterinary profession in pain management. Responses to pain are species specific and can even be associated with a particular breed, age and individual characteristics, as well as the origin and type of pain.
The ability to recognize pain and assess its intensity is essential to effective treatment. Pain guidelines and scales are useful tools in determining the level of pain a patient is experiencing based on clinical assessment and behavior.
- World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA): Guidelines for Recognition, Assessment & Treatment of Pain
- American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA): Pain Management Guidelines for Dogs & Cats
- International Society for Feline Medicine (ISFM): Feline Acute Pain Management Guidelines
- Pain Scale for Birds
- Pain Scale for Baboons
- Pain Scale for Piglets
- Pain Scale for Bovines
- List of Pain Behaviors for Equines
- Click here to download our Dosage Sheet
- Local and regional anaesthesia in dogs and cats: Overview of concepts and drugs (Part 1)
- Local and regional anaesthesia in dogs and cats: Descriptions of specific local and regional techniques (Part 2)
