Pain, Pain Go Away! These Newer Modalities Are Here to Stay!

Effective pain management in veterinary medicine has undergone a transformative shift in recent years, with an expanding arsenal of tools designed to both detect and alleviate acute and chronic pain in companion animals. Despite this evolution, a gap still exists between how veterinary professionals perceive pain and how it is understood by pet owners. This discrepancy often results in underdiagnosed and undertreated pain syndromes, particularly in aging pets. As veterinary clinicians, we must continue to advocate for comprehensive pain assessment protocols and integrate multimodal, non-invasive therapies that improve quality of life.

• 1.Differentiate between acute and chronic pain in companion animals by analyzing clinical signs, behavioral cues, and case-based scenarios.
• 2.Apply validated pain scoring systems (e.g., Feline Grimace Scale, FMPI, Glasgow Composite) to improve diagnostic accuracy and reduce subjective bias in pain assessment.
• 3.Evaluate emerging diagnostic technologies such as biosignal monitoring and thermal imaging for their clinical utility in identifying and localizing pain.
• 4.Integrate multimodal, non-invasive modalities—including tPEMF, HBOT, shockwave therapy, acupuncture, and Synovetin OA—into individualized pain management plans.
• 5.Educate pet owners using evidence-based communication strategies to enhance compliance, recognize subtle pain behaviors, and support long-term treatment outcomes.