According to IVAPM, animals suffer from pain just like people do. Pain comes in many forms: surgical pain, arthritis and cancer, just to name a few. Acute pain is obvious and distressing. Chronic pain can be subtle, and masked as “getting old” or “slowing down.” Age is not a disease, but pain is. There are many options to treat the various causes of pain in animals including pain medications, physical rehabilitation, acupuncture, laser therapy, and therapeutic massage.
The idea to bring greater awareness of pain management in animals was the brainchild of a member of the organization, Tasha McNerney, BS, CVT. The organization decided the best approach was to build on the format of the now familiar National Pet Dental Health Month.
“We are thrilled to introduce Animal Pain Awareness Month. This year we started with posters and pet owner handouts for the dog and cat that are available to our veterinary members, but the posters also include the horse. Pain management is necessary for all animals. We don’t want to leave anyone out, so eventually there will be materials for all animals,” said IVAPM’s incoming president Nancy Schaffran, CVT, VTS.
The proclamation of the month is in keeping with IVAPM’s commitment to promote, enhance and advance pain management in animals. During this annual campaign, IVAPM is also encouraging various veterinary organizations to raise public awareness about pain and pain management as it pertains to veterinary patients.
The International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management is a multi-disciplinary organization dedicated to promoting, enhancing, and advancing pain management in animals. IVAPM is the leading source of education in pain management and offers the only interdisciplinary certification program available today. For more information on IVAPM and to view more information on pain, visit www.ivapm.org .