Current evidence and best practices for animal pain relief across species
Pain management in animals has advanced enormously over the past two decades, yet significant gaps remain between evidence and practice. Undertreatment of animal pain — whether due to cost, regulatory barriers, lack of veterinary knowledge, or outdated attitudes — represents a major preventable welfare harm. This page summarizes current evidence-based approaches across key species and conditions.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the most widely used and evidence-supported analgesics in farm animals. Key drugs include:
Lidocaine-based local blocks provide effective short-term analgesia for painful procedures including dehorning, castration, wound treatment, and obstetrical procedures. Cornual nerve blocks take 5 minutes to administer, last 90-120 minutes, and virtually eliminate the pain response during and immediately after disbudding. Combination of local anesthesia + NSAID provides the best multi-modal pain management for routine procedures.
Opioids (buprenorphine, butorphanol, morphine) provide strong analgesia for companion animals and increasingly for farm animals. Regulatory barriers limit farm animal opioid use in many countries. Research from Colorado State, Utrecht, and Royal Veterinary College supports opioid use for severe acute pain in cattle and pigs (post-surgical, calving difficulties, fractures). Buprenorphine provides effective analgesia in cattle at practical dose rates.