Figure 2. The pain pathway, demonstrating the activation, transduction and modulation of signalling via the pain pathway at different levels and the perception of pain by higher centres. Descending inhibitory control is blue, descending facilitatory control is red. DRG = dorsal root ganglia.

Acute and chronic pain in dogs and cats

Pain is an emotive and sensory experience secondary to nociceptive or potentially nociceptive stimuli. It can be categorised as acute pain, lasting less than 12 weeks, or chronic pain which exceeds 12...