Biography
Biography: Charles Short
Abstract
Significant progress in the management of animal pain has been made during the last 30 years. Through both basic and clinical research, our understanding of how to determine the levels of pain, the selection of medications and determine the effectiveness of treatment has greatly improved. We now have advanced to the level of having guidelines as a standard of clinical practice. All patients should be evaluated for pain when presented to the veterinary hospital. This provides control values for further evaluation following surgery or medical treatments. Thus the effectiveness of pain management can be determined and needed adjustments can be made to assure the patients are not suffering from undesirable pain. We now have a wide range of analgesics. It is now possible to use them as a single drug or as a combination. It is possible to select and manage either acute or chronic painful conditions. Even though this is now possible, it is necessary to follow a concept of standard care for successful treatment. This requires a team concept including involving the animal owners.