Veterinary procedures from routine examinations to surgery involve welfare considerations that have improved significantly through better anesthesia and pain management.
Veterinary procedure welfare has improved dramatically through the recognition that animals experience pain and fear during procedures and that managing these experiences improves both welfare and clinical outcomes. Fear-free veterinary certification programs have transformed practice culture in many clinics, with demonstrable reductions in animal and human safety incidents. The use of sedation and pre-medication for procedures previously done without it (like blood draws in fearful animals) reduces both welfare harm and the quality of samples and examinations. Post-procedure pain management that was once rare is now considered essential for ethical practice.