Pain Management

Pain can be assessed in patients by looking at the whole animal's demeanour and their grimace scale. It is a good idea to reassess their pain scale regularly to catch any changes in the patient during recovery, record any findings positive or negative and let the vet or senior nurse know straight away. Any vocalising, favouring of body positioning or withdrawing into the kennel are some signs they may be in pain.

pain assessed by monitoring and good note taking to create a baseline/record for comparison and by reffering to relevant pain scales.

VNurse can use heat pads for relevant pain, administer prescribed medicines, provide suitable bedding and cushioning, provide distractions via company and walks to toilet etc and enrichment.

The role is to monitor, record and advocate for the patients needs to the vet and meet the patients everyday care needs as required.

pain is assessed by patients demeanor, vets are notified and pain medications changed if needed.

Vet nurses provide appropriate bedding for patients, use slings if needed to help walk out for toilet breaks and distance examination frequently to see if the animal is tolerating their pain and stay within the vet clinic.

Studying of the patient's behavior and demeanor can help discover pain. Comparing what you see before your eyes to the grimace scales can help you to figure out how much pain the animal is in, and then advise the vet nurse or veterinarian on the appropriate course of action.

There are pain scales that you can use to assess pain in dogs and cats, and even rabbits. These can include positions of eyes/ears/tails, facial expressions, body movements, posture, vocalisations, licking or chewing, demeanour, and responsiveness.

We can notice that the animal is in pain and inform the senior nurse or vet. After administration of analgesia, good general animal care should occur. Making sure the bedding is comfortable, that they are clean and dry, keep them warm and in as quiet an environment as possible, making sure any bandages are not tight, monitoring wounds and IV sites, monitoring pain levels and vital signs, giving attention to the animal by talking/patting/grooming/massaging (but not forcing this on the animal, if they do not want this attention it will have the opposite effect), mental and physical enrichment as much as possible. We are the voice for the animals that are in our care, and we need to communicate with nurses and vets for them.

Pain can be assessed by the grimace scale and watching your patients behaviour.

Animals that are depressed, tail, ears down and head tilted down can show pain. Pain medication can help with this and checking patients regularly. Patting and talking to the patient softly and making sure they are comfortable always, readjusting blankets and making sure they have warm hotties too. Ensuring there fluid line is still going aswell is important. The role of a VNA is to check the patient and make any reports and report to the vet asap if anything arrises.

Pain can be assessed through the use of the grimace scale in cats,dog pain scale. The recognizing of the animals behaviors and reporting these to the vet nurse and or vet so any adjustments such as further pain relief can be given.Having an awareness of the nature of the animals health so you can understand what the animal may experience in relation to pain and respond.Keeping the animal warm ,providing good nutrition,enrichment,comfort and reporting any concerns promtly

-In the veterinary clinic, pain is usually recognised by changes in behaviour or body language (bright and alert vs depressed and/or reluctant to move etc). It is also recognised by the patient's vital signs (increased breathing). Pain is also recognised by patient interference (licking or chewing at wounds, bandaging or iv catheters). Signs such as vocalisation, whimpering and sudden aggression are also immediately recognised as pain.

-Adequate pain relief can be used to alleviate pain; this should be prescribed and administered as directed by the veterinarian. As a VNA I may assist with ensuring the pain relief is working effectively, report the effect to the veterinarian and ensure analgesia is up to date. Regular monitring of the patient should also be carried out to ensure any pain is recognised promptly and rectified.

-My role as a VNA in pain management includes regular monitoring and assesment of the patient themselves and their pain score which should be reported to the veterinarian to ensure adequate pain management. I can also provide a comfortable recovery area that will keep the patient dry and warm. As well as ensure the patient is positioned correctly and re-positioned as needed to prevent discomfort.

Vocalisation, rapid breathing, depressed or really quiet, grimace scales, changes in behaviour. Trying to lick or chew the sore bits. Making sure the patient is up to date on analgesia and positioned correctly, dry and warm, fed and watered and has mental stimulation and owner visits if needed

Pain in our vet clinic idoes not appear to be formally assessed although there are pain scales available on the wall. The vets seem to respond quickly to vocalising, sometimes even aggression or out of character behaviour, if animal limited has movement, withdrawn.

vet nursing care that can alleviate pain- checking positioning- repositioning if appropriate, checking and monitoring IV sites, any wounds/dressings.

Ensuring the patient has adequate pain relief, regular assessment done and reported to vet and monitor effect of same. Comfortable bedding, regular toileting, company, warmth

Role of a VNA to regularly assess the patient for pain and report to vet accordingly.Also to assess response to pain medication given and ensure patient is warm, dry, comfortable.

The use of pain scales and, monitoring the patient and observing any changes in behaviour or body posture are ways that pain can be recognised in the patient. As VNA's we should be looking for these signs and reporting to the patients veterinarian if we notice any changes. We can provide our patients with care through comfortable bedding, a clean environment, TLC, observing the patients likes and dislikes and accommodating them as well as we can, providing medication (when advised too by the veterinarian) and any other things we may find beneficial to the individual patient eg. mental or environmental stimulation.

Talking with vet to see if med's need adjusting; checking and fixing bandaging and IV inserts; keeping IV tubing patent and clean; clean and comfy bedding; some TLC time (talking, patting, company).

Role of VNA is to observe and report; to help in general care (eg. TLC, bedding) and (supervised) administration of med's and new bandages.

Pain is often initially recognised by change in patient's behaviour, eg. more restless or more withdrawn, nibbling at wound, shaking limb with IV in it.

Regular pain scoring is good

pain scales

body language

distance observation

Spending time with patients

hand feeding

providing comfortable bedding

monitoring/ providing feedback to vet/nurse in charge of patient

regular walks

massages

stretching

Use tools like the feline grimace scale, monitor for any behavioural changes or body position changes. Monitor water and food intake, panting, increased heart rate, cowering etc.

Observing the patient for behaviour changes, looking for signs of pain.

Giving patient drugs to help with pain.

If there is any signs of a patient in pain letting your veterinarian know would be recommended.

How is pain recognised in patients in the veterinary clinic? i.e. is it formally assessed?

What veterinary nursing care can be used to alleviate pain?

What is the role of the VNA in pain management?