July 09, 2011

a Wish List - Pain Management




In looking up a medical issue for another ferrant (a new word I learned recently, a "ferret parent".) I stumbled across a fabulous association the IVAPM, International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management.
Taken from their introduction page:
Founded in 2003, the IVAPM intends to become the recognized leading forum and resource in animal pain for the veterinary profession through research, education, and advocacy.

Most people who deal with chronic pain have a keen sense of the distinction between "living" and "existing" so for me to happen upon this group was just... Wow... Truly impressive. On the one hand, it took until 2003 to officially acknowledge the need to address pain management in veterinary science (and these are professionals that see pain and suffering every day in their work.) But still, how far veterinary science has come to finally acknowledge that the non-human animal experience of pain, although it might be different,  should also be addressed in the course of regular treatment.

For what it's worth, I am not being sarcastic. I do find this very impressive for even in this recent era of medical advancements, the experience of chronic pain and the necessity of pain management for human beings (much less non-human animals) is a highly unacknowledged and sadly often outright dismissed condition. To have finally gotten around the considering that there are other "forms" or degrees and experiences of pain is a large step in the right direction.

There are too many people that take it for granted that just because the non-human animals - our animal companions and their wild relatives - don't cry or scream or complain they must not be in that much pain. Of course, they don't speak of their discomfort or pain, not in any human language. Nor do they often express in obvious body language that they have pain or weakness. They have learned through 10's of thousands of years and more of evolution that the weak and sick end up as first course on the Badlands Buffet.

On the other hand, any experienced vet knows there are other ways non-speaking animals show they too experience a range of emotions from depression to discomfort and pain - by not eating, lethargy, increased/decreased sleeping/activity level, etc.... However, as mentioned earlier, up until the 21st century, there has not been much concentrated effort in addressing this issue. Resources are still rather limited but increasing with, not surprisingly, consumer (in this case, the pet owner) demand. The major texts available are as follows:

Pain Management in Animals (2000)
I think this one can generally be considered the first of its kind. I actually bought this at the very painful price of 140 USD as it's the only one so far to be translated into Japanese. With the exception of supplemental or alternative therapies, all other animal pain management books in Japan since then have been non-professional publications.

Pain Management in Small Animals: a Manual for Veterinary Nurses and Technicians (2006)

Scientific Assessment and Management of Animal Pain (2008)

Update on Management of Pain, An Issue of Veterinary Clinics: Small Animal Practice (2008)

Handbook of Veterinary Pain Management (2008)

Chronic Pain in Small Animal Medicine (2010)

Clearly, a specialty that is taking off.
But truly representing that shiny, juicy cherry on top our information ice cream cone, this was just released in January 2011.


abstract: The growing popularity of ferrets as pets has created the demand for advanced veterinary care for these patients. Pain is associated with a broad range of conditions, including acute or chronic inflammatory disease, neoplasia, and trauma, as well as iatrogenic causes, such as surgery and diagnostic procedures. Effective pain management requires knowledge and skills to assess pain, good understanding of the pathophysiology of pain, and general knowledge of pharmacologic and pharmacodynamic principles. Unfortunately, scientific studies on efficacy, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and safety of analgesic drugs in the ferret are limited. However, basic rules on the treatment of pain and mechanisms of action, safety, and efficacy of analgesic drugs in other species can be adapted and applied to pain management in ferrets. This article aims to make an inventory of what is known on the recognition of pain in ferrets, what analgesic drugs are currently used in ferrets, and how they can be adopted in a patient-orientated pain management plan to provide effective pain relief while reducing and monitoring for unwanted side effects.
PubMed Link

... Oo♪ lala.♪♪

So that is on my wish list for me and all shelters out there. A tiny 10-page article worth its weight in gold, or 31.50 USD as the case may be here.


Cheers and see you again! (^_-)-♪


related links of interest:
Ferret Pain and Distress by Bob Church.

American Veterinary Chiropractic Association

European College of Veterinary Anesthesia & Analgesia

International Veterinary Acupuncture Society

International Veterinary Emergency Critical Care Society

International Veterinary Information Service

Veterinary Anesthesia & Analgesia Support Group

Veterinary Information Network


Disclaimer: I am not a DVM. Advice is offered after my own extensive research and/or experience and should be undertaken at your own risk. Consult with your licensed DVM before undertaking any treatment!

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