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Introduction to complementary and alternative pain management in canines
Abstract
Pain management can easily be overlooked in the overall care of canine patients. Often, oral pain medications are the only means of pain control provided to clients. There are several other options for pain managements in canine patients. There are many benefits to adding additional modes of pain relief to the patient's care regimen, whether they have chronic conditions such as arthritis or a neurological disease, or are recovering from a procedure. Pain control therapies such as: therapeutic laser, targeted pulsed electro magnetic field technology, ultrasound, acupuncture, and massage and passive range of motion combined or individually, neuromuscular electrical stimulation and transcutaneous electrical stimulation, can benefit canine patients greatly in their pain management needs. All of these pain therapies provide unique modes of pain relief in the patient's body.
Pain management for veterinary patients can sometimes be lost in the overall care of the patient. Many clients are used to oral medications as the only means of pain management for their pets. There are many other options for pain management in canines; such therapies as therapeutic laser, targeted pulsed electromagnetic field (tPEMF) technology, ultrasound, acupuncture, and massage or passive range of motion (PROM) are additional ways to provide pain relief for canine patients for many conditions, diseases, surgeries, and injuries. All pain management therapies should be carried out under the direction of the veterinary surgeon or rehabilitation veterinarian.
Clients are becoming more open to complementary and alternative therapies for their pets and like to have other options available besides pharmacological to ease their pet's pain (Millis and Pryor, 2015). The veterinary nurse is a crucial member of the rehabilitation team and often carries out the therapies planned by the veterinarian for the patient's care. As the primary care-givers to their patients, nurses can leverage their knowledge and skill set to advocate for their patients (Tear, 2012).
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