Managing OA with anti-NGF therapyNovember 22, 2019It is clear to any practicing veterinarian there is a very limited toolbox when it comes to effective treatments for osteoarthritis (OA) pain in dogs and cats. The need, however, is quite apparent.
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AI technique tracks chronic pain in CavaliersNovember 19, 2019A new artificial intelligence (AI) technique may soon help veterinarians identify Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (CKCS) patients suffering chronic pain due to Chiari-like malformation (CM).
Global program puts pain management firstNovember 12, 2019Pain management is taking center stage in the World Small Animal Veterinary Association’s (WSAVA’s) latest initiative.
Global associations commit to improving access to veterinary medicinesOctober 21, 2019Securing equal access to vital veterinary medicines for companion animal veterinarians around the world is at the center of a new campaign spearheaded by World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA). Restricted access to veterinary medicines is a long-standing problem and limits the efforts of many veterinarians to provide optimal care to their patients in regions such as Eastern Europe, Africa, and Asia, the association says. The problem extends to even essential medicines, such as those required to properly manage pain. The result is immense and unnecessary suffering. "Difficulty in accessing therapeutics to treat patients is a critical issue for companion animal veterinarians in many parts of the world," says WSAVA past-president, Walt Ingwersen, DVM, DVSc, DACVIM. "It causes huge frustration and means that many, if not most, companion animals globally do not receive optimum care. It's a situation that requires urgent change. Working in partnership with our colleagues across the veterinary sector, we are focused on bringing this about. "While a number of issues impact the supply of veterinary medicines, duplication of the regulatory medicines approval process in various regions of the world is one of the biggest, and the focus of our joint position statement on regulatory convergence. The …
Oral opioids may be ineffective for dogsOctober 17, 2019Prescribing oral opioids for canine patients may not be the best way to manage their pain.
IVAPM kicks off Animal Pain Awareness MonthAugust 29, 2019Animals are very good at hiding pain, which is why it's important for veterinarians to educate clients on tell-tale signs that all is not well with their pet. September is Animal Pain Awareness Month and the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management (IVAPM) is helping raise awareness on how to recognize and manage pain in animals. The annual initiative coincides with human medicine's Pain Awareness Month and includes outreach and information campaigns aimed at helping veterinarians educate consumers on how to recognize and manage chronic and acute pain through traditional and complementary treatments. "It's often very hard to know when an animal is suffering. Their signs of pain are subtle and it's also part of their survival instinct to hide pain," says IVAPM president-elect Jennifer Johnson, VMD, CVPP. "That's why it is so important for veterinarians to conduct pain assessment exams at least annually and certainly as part of regular exams. We know chronic pain can have significant detrimental effects on lifespan and quality of life. By spotting pain early, veterinarians can better treat and manage pain." According to IVAPM, more than 45 million household pets suffer from chronic or acute pain, but unlike their human counterparts, they cannot tell …
Applying nonsurgical treatment options in management of osteoarthritisAugust 27, 2019Surgical approaches for our patients include joint prosthesis, alteration in joint mechanics with osteotomies, and less invasive approaches using arthroscopy.
Pain: The underdiscussed vital signAugust 26, 2019Recognition and assessment of the presence of pain is a routine and central part of every physical exam. The pain score has been called the “fourth” vital sign, in addition to temperature, heart rate, and respiratory rate.
Aratana Therapeutics' Nocita 10 ml gets FDA approvalJune 13, 2019Aratana Therapeutics announced the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) has approved an additional vial size (10 ml) of Nocita. "Since its launch in 2016, Nocita has drastically changed veterinary multimodal pain management protocols because it safely and effectively controls pain in patients for up to 72 hours following certain canine and feline surgeries," says Aratana Therapeutics chief development officer, Ernst Heinen, DVM, PhD. "Ultimately, we believe a smaller vial size may allow for expanded use and improve the level of care veterinarians provide for certain painful surgeries." Nocita, which is currently available in a 20-ml vial size, is a local postoperative analgesia for cranial cruciate ligament surgery in dogs and a peripheral nerve block following owner-elected onychectomy (declawing) in cats. The smaller vial size is expected to be made commercially available in fall 2019.
Osteoarthritis staging tool for dogs unveiledJanuary 23, 2019A new standardized method for diagnosing joint disease in dogs is now available.
