Animal pain is more of an issue today than it was in the past. For this reason it is important that technicians be informed of the guidelines for determining and treating pain in animals. Different species react differently to pain, and treatment varies a great deal. Birds, for instance, mask their pain more efficiently than other species. Some dogs are expert at masking pain altogether while some dogs mask it not at all. Sadly, human babies were believed to not feel pain and were not given pain medication as late as 1985.

In all books on pain, the archaic belief that animals didn’t feel pain is mentioned, and this book is no different. The angst of technicians regarding pain in their patients is credited for increasing pain recognition and treatment. Of course, this is a book BY technicians FOR technicians.

Pain was not seriously addressed in veterinary schools until the late 1980’s, although the topic of pain in animals was a subject for discussion by early researchers. (Dr. Bernard Rollins (CO), although not a contributor for this book, was an early advocate of addressing pain in animals (1981) and was often sought out for his opinion in the early days of the study of pain in animals and to some degree, still today.)

There is a substantial list of acknowledgments of those who contributed their expertise to this volume. Also mentioned is the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management. A companion website accompanies this book, containing videos, review questions, supplementary materials, and power point files of all figures for downloading. A password is hidden in the book that can be accessed to open the file.

Chapter one continues along this vein of obstacles to pain management. Chapter two gets on with the up-to-date information on the practice and teaching of pain management. Careers for technicians in the pain management field are described in this chapter, offering a variety of choices from which to direct one’s interest.

Following chapters cover such topics as pain recognition in livestock; physiology of pain; analgesic pharmacology; locoregional analgesics blocking techniques; surgical pain management; emergency and critical patients; chronic pain management for the companion animal; analgesia for shelter and TNR programs; analgesia in equine practice; livestock and camelids; exotics; analgesia in zoo and wildlife practice; pain management for dogs and cats; physical rehabilitation and the technician; technicians in alternative therapies; management for end-of-life care. Appendices A-through F follow to round out the available information.

The chapters contain detailed drawings for administration of medication for each anatomical area discussed. However, the area of most importance to the technician would likely be in the recognition of pain, since injections of analgesics would not fall in the duties of the technician in many practices. In England, technicians (nurses) are given greater latitude in this process. Regardless the knowledge of these treatments is a valuable assist for any technician.

Key points are contained in colored boxes. Orange boxes cover recognition of signs of pain; behavioral signs; acupuncture points; water therapy equipment; for example, and represent important points for the technician to remember.

Grey boxes are used primarily for drug/administration/dosages but also contain such key points as Observing signs (in a herd, from a distance) and Auditory signs of discomfort (vocalization).

The photos are in color and of good quality and illustrate important points.

There is a good index with crucial topics.

The book is directed toward the technician. The clinician may want to read the book so as to know what the technician is being taught so personal adjustments or preferences can be mentioned.

Publisher: Wiley Blackwell, 2015. Paper cover. 421 pages. Color and B&W illustrations and photos.
24 contributors, (Three veterinarians, 19 technicians)

 ISSN: 9781118555521