Anesthesia & Pain Management

AMC’s Pain Management Program

Historically, there was a time when many believed that animals did not feel pain or that they perceived pain much differently than humans. In fact, veterinarians considered pain following surgery or injury to be of clinical value because it limited movement, and thus limited injury to the surgical site, potentially aiding the healing process. Contrary to these early beliefs humans and animals perceive pain in much the same way. Pain in animals is primarily expressed through changes in behavior such as crying, whining, growling, hiding, restlessness, irritability, or aggressiveness. Many dogs and cats refuse to eat or drink, become sullen or refuse to interact and, in the very worst situations, they develop more secondary diseases. The consequences of disease are obvious, such as limping, coughing or vomiting.

Similar to people, animals can experience excruciating and life changing pain. Pain in dogs and cats is often undiagnosed or under-diagnosed, primarily because animals tend to “hide” pain and often act as if nothing is wrong. This does not mean, however, that they do not experience pain. Animals are unable to verbally communicate their suffering but do show behavioral and physiological signs that can be correlated with the location, duration and severity of pain. The normal response to pain is protective resulting in withdrawal from or aversion to the pain inducing event. This type of pain is called “adaptive” and is a common consequence of any surgical and many medical procedures. Pain that has no apparent cause or explanation is maladaptive. Importantly, if adaptive pain is inappropriately managed, neurophysiologic changes can occur that produce maladaptive pain (pain without tissue injury or inflammation). Furthermore, the longer pain (chronic pain) is untreated, the more likely it will become maladaptive leading to imbedded behaviors that are very difficult to treat or control. Ultimately, untreated pain can decrease the animal’s quality of life, produce stress, exacerbate disease processes, and prolong recovery from surgery, injury, or illness.

The Animal Medical Center (AMC) in New York City is a nonprofit veterinary specialty and referral institution that has been a national leader in animal care since 1910. The AMC promotes the health and well-being of companion animals through advanced treatment options, research, education, and community services. A wide variety of pharmacologic (analgesics, muscle relaxants), complimentary (acupuncture, physical therapy, ultrasound, etc.) and interventional (site specific therapies) are routinely employed. Both preemptive and multimodal approaches are individualized to each animal’s medical condition and the severity of their pain, and are routinely reviewed to allow for treatment plan modifications as the patient’s response unfolds. Today’s pet owners demand and deserve a more holistic approach to their animal’s medical problems.