Companion Animals

Companion Animal Pain Recognition in Clinical Practice

Pain is underrecognised and undertreated in companion animals. Improving pain assessment in veterinary practice is essential for animal welfare.

Key Facts

Animals often mask pain signs, making assessment challenging
Validated pain scales exist for dogs, cats, and horses
Cats are particularly stoic and frequently undertreated for pain
Post-operative pain management practices vary widely between practices
Owner recognition of pain signs is often poor despite being essential

Welfare Considerations

Unrecognised and untreated pain causes suffering and slows recovery. Veterinary practices vary considerably in pain assessment and management protocols. Standardised use of validated pain scales and multimodal analgesia protocols can significantly improve welfare outcomes for companion animals.

What You Can Do

Ask your vet about pain assessment protocols for procedures
Learn to recognise pain signs specific to your species
Support veterinary education initiatives focused on pain management