Case based prevention of postsurgical pain (Proceedings)

The good news is that veterinary clinicians are faced with a staggering array of possibilities to prevent and manage pain in surgical patients. The bad news is that veterinary clinicians are faced with a staggering array of possibilities to prevent and manage pain in surgical patients. Meaning, to pick and choose what intervention(s) to employ on behalf of which patient, at what point along the peri-operative arc of treatment, at what doses, and for how long can be a challenging prospect. The value of patient comfort often come into conflict with other, competing values, such as concern about drug interactions, adverse effects, staff training, and more.

This session will approach the pain management aspect of surgical situations common to most practices, and discuss the principles involved in applying multi-modal analgesia in an effective, safe, and reproducible manner.

Case presentations exploring the peri-operative pain management will hope to include to:

     • Ovariohysterectomy

     • Orchiectomy

     • Cesarean Section

     • Large soft-tissue defects

     • Oral surgery

     • Cruciate

     • Amputation

In addition case presentations will address such commonly encountered circumstances as:

     • Alpine Anesthesia

     • Rocky Recovery

     • Painful Post-op

     • Disturbing Dysphoria

Key questions that will be addressed include:

     • Which classes of drugs are appropriate?

     • By what route?

     • Pre-, intra-, or post-operatively?

     • What duration?

     • Avoiding Adverse Events

     • Are there non-pharmacologic interventions?