Pain Management in Small Animal Medicine

Book excerpt: Pain Management in Small Animal Medicine describes and clearly illustrates the difficulties and choices facing veterinarians in identifying and treating pain, in addition to providing an account of the neurobiological mechanisms responsible for the pain. Expanded from the author’s previous work, Chronic Pain in Small Animal Medicine, this volume uses the original text to illustrate the core theme of "mechanism base" and expands the text considerably with the inclusion of areas beyond chronic pain. Topics include: Pain assessment in small animal medicine The functional physiology of pain The use of pharmacologics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs Nutraceutical mechanisms and therapy Management of pain related to canine osteoarthritis, musculoskeletal disease, and cancer Pain management features unique to cats Emphasizing the latest evidence and contemporary understanding of "why" and "how" to treat pain, the book will enable veterinary healthcare professionals as well as those in training, education, and research to develop a greater depth of knowledge in mechanisms of pain and potential targets for treatment— thereby raising the standard of care for pain management.