Treating pain without pain medicationsJanuary 15, 2019Most of us will reach for pain medications to treat pain. That’s logical enough. In some situations (see the box on the opposite page), it is important to be resourceful and to be able to offer nonpharmaceutical pain relief, in addition to or instead of traditional chemical help.
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Keep the pain at bayAugust 31, 2018Providing appropriate pain medications and keeping animals warm and comfortable during and after surgery are important, but ensuring they come into the clinic relaxed is a new and critical component of presurgical prep. Even for minor procedures, it’s vital to survival and normal healing and recovery.
FDA releases new vet resource for prescribing opioidsAugust 23, 2018The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is launching a new resource guide for veterinarians prescribing opioids for pain management in animals. The issue has come to the fore due to the opioid crisis and the occurrence of people hurting their pets to gain access to the drugs. The FDA says it is committed to addressing the misuse and abuse of drugs on all fronts, with a significant focus on decreasing exposure to opioids and preventing new addiction by taking steps to encourage more appropriate prescribing, said FDA commissioner Scott Gottlieb, MD, in an official statement. While any health care provider can take advantage of the Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy program for opioid analgesics, there hasn't been a lot of information tailored specifically to veterinary medicine, he added. "That's why we have developed a new resource containing information and recommendations specifically for veterinarians who stock and administer opioids," Dr. Gottlieb said. "Today, we're issuing important information for veterinarians to ensure they have additional context regarding the potential for people to misuse the products they are prescribing to their animal patients." The issue of abuse stems from the lack of opioids specifically approved for use in animals, …
How veterinarians can best manage the opioid shortageMarch 2, 2018Veterinary Practice News organized an exclusive roundtable with five anesthesiologists and pain management experts to discuss the reasons behind the opioid shortage and best practices for identifing solutions to the problem.
New ways to think about pet painJuly 24, 2017When veterinarians talk about managing chronic pain, senior pets tend to be the focal point.
Helping clients see their pet's health issues as their ownMay 3, 2017I’m a wimp. My wife, Teresa, is a warrior. I get a canker sore inside my mouth (the size of a pencil eraser in diameter), and I gargle with salt water and directly apply a little dexamethasone cream, and then I take oral NSAIDs to further blunt the discomfort.
How to manage enucleation pain effectivelyAugust 22, 2016Enucleation is commonly performed by general practitioners, surgeons and ophthalmologists. Indications include ocular trauma, end-stage glaucoma, perforated corneal ulcers and birth defects.
How NSAIDs deliver big rewards, but also some riskAugust 17, 2016To pain specialist Alicia M. Karas, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are an incredible tool for managing pain in companion animals but a potential pharmaceutical quagmire that requires veterinarians to tread cautiously.
