Pain Recognition and Management in Veterinary Medicine

Effective pain management in animals requires recognising pain across species using validated assessment tools, then providing appropriate analgesia. Under-treatment of animal pain remains widespread.

Key Facts

The Glasgow Composite Measure Pain Scale is validated for dogs; the Feline Grimace Scale for cats
Studies find that up to 60% of surgical patients receive inadequate post-operative analgesia
Pain in prey species like rabbits is particularly difficult to recognise as they hide signs
Multimodal analgesia combining NSAIDs, opioids, and local anaesthetics is most effective
The International Association for the Study of Pain now explicitly includes non-human animals

Welfare Considerations

Under-treated pain causes suffering, delays healing, suppresses immune function, and impairs animal behaviour and quality of life. Species that hide pain — rabbits, fish, birds — are at particular risk of under-treatment because their signs are subtle and easily missed. Owners also underestimate pain in animals. Validated pain assessment scales, staff training in pain recognition, and proactive analgesia protocols rather than reactive treatment significantly improve outcomes.

What You Can Do

Ask your vet specifically about pain management plans before and after procedures
Learn pain signs in your pet species — look up species-specific pain scales online
Support veterinary schools that prioritise pain recognition and management training
Donate to animal pain research organisations developing better assessment tools
Advocate for pain management requirements in animal welfare legislation and codes of practice