Pain Awareness Month 2024 - Why Do We Need Pain Awareness?

It was only 22 years ago that scientific consensus concluded non-human animals experience pain. Since September 2002, there have been tremendous advancements in our understanding of pain. Unfortunately, there continues to be significant disparity between knowledge and practice. 

Ensuring our furry friends are pain-free is central to animal welfare, but it remains a challenging goal.

Join me over the month of September as I, 
• Revisit basic pain science to refresh your memory.
• Delve into new info & ideas for guardians interested in a proactive pain approach. 
• Reveal a continuing education opportunity for dog professionals. 

By the end of this series, I aim to empower you to advocate effectively for your four-legged friend and inspire hope for their future. Discovering your dog’s pain can be distressing, but knowledge gives you power to positively impact their well-being. 

The fabulous & formidable (instagram handles):
@dogminded @up_2_snuff @dog_atheart @katieleedvm @graceful_strides_gait_analysis @gentlejourneyvetcare @the.speed.of.hound @camppawsible @muttlifedogtraining @kamloopsurbantailz.

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Slide 1) Pain Awareness Month 2024. Why do We Need Pain Awareness? 
Behind text is a photo of Darwin, a 13 year old long haired, dapple Dachshund. Darwin is standing on the rocky shore of Lake Superior, looking over the edge, his butt in the air. Darwin has multiple degenerative musculoskeletal conditions, but continues to enjoy an active, adventurous life thanks to palliative care. 

Slide 2)  “Despite the current standard of veterinary care regarding pain recognition and treatment in our patients, many veterinary professionals are inept in pain identification and management.” Slovak, J. E., Turbeville, C., & Grubb, T. (2020). Assessment of veterinary students’ responses to questions regarding small animal pain recognition and analgesic treatment options. Journal of Veterinary Medical Education, 47(4), 482-487. 

Slide 3) “As veterinary health professionals, we have a moral and ethical duty to mitigate suffering from pain to the best of our ability. Despite advances in the recognition and treatment of pain, there remains a gap between its occurrence and its successful management.” Monteiro, B. P., Lascelles, B. D. X., Murrell, J., Robertson, S., Steagall, P. V. M., & Wright, B. (2023). 2022 WSAVA guidelines for the recognition, assessment and treatment of pain. Journal of Small Animal Practice, 64(4), 177-254.

Slide 4) “We must switch our focus from damage control pain management to proactive pain management. This philosophical shift is particularly relevant to handling chronic pain, in which problems are not quickly resolved and must be managed over the long term.” Gruen, M. E., Lascelles, B. D. X., Colleran, E., Gottlieb, A., Johnson, J., Lotsikas, P., ... & Wright, B. (2022). 2022 AAHA pain management guidelines for dogs and cats. Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association, 58(2), 55-76.

Slide 5) Who is pain aware? 
Check the caption to discover the fabulous & formidable professionals ahead of the curve!