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...

Chronic pain in small animals: how to create a pain management plan

Traditionally, pain was regarded as chronic when it lasted or recurred for more than 3–6 months (Merskey and Bogduk, 1994). This definition presents some limitations, as it does not take into account...

Figure 4. Patient wearing a protective body bandage made from Granuflex (ConvaTec, USA) and cohesive bandage (NVS, UK). This body bandage was worn for 20 weeks to support wound healing and to prevent further self-trauma. It was also acting as a brace to support the back. Concerns were raised regarding the patient's quality of life if this was required to be worn long term. Note the patient's wide eyes and lack of facial grimace.

Using acupuncture to manage wound healing and chronic back pain in a guinea pig

Manifestations of pain in guinea pigs may be subtle, infrequent and inconsistent. Because they are a prey species, signs may be suppressed around humans as a survival mechanism (Turner et al, 2019)....