ABSTRACT
Animals presenting for pain or discomfort associated with a previous injury should be thoroughly evaluated for reoccurrence of the same injury before analgesic treatment is begun. Pain management strategies for chronic pain are not a substitute for a complete diagnostic evaluation and correct medical diagnosis. Pain may be a symptom of a serious underlying condition and, if left untreated, may cause permanent injury or death to the patient. Many drug protocols for the treatment of chronic pain are extra-label or off-label uses. A degree of liability is incurred by the veterinarian when these drugs are used in a manner for which they were not intended. The owner should be informed of this when consent for treatment is obtained. The therapeutic goal for pain management of terminally ill patients, or patients with intractable pain secondary to an undiagnosable condition, should be to improve the quality of life for the patient while minimizing adverse reactions.
