Veterinary professionals have come a long way in treating pain. Today, debates about whether animals feel pain are rare,1 and guidelines for treating pain have been created by the American Animal Hospital Association and American Association of FelinePractitioners, entire books have been written on the subject,2 and the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management offers advanced certification in pain management. Pain control in animal research is even mandated by federal legislation.3 Therefore, there is now consensus that pain is detrimental to healing, and procedures referred to as routine can generate pain that requires appropriate analgesia.1 Enormous strides have been made in some aspects of pain management in veterinary medicine, whereas work is still needed in other areas. Management of chronic pain in cats is one of these areas.
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