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VIN MULT110-0721: IVAPM Pain Management Core Review

The lectures for this course will be presented in an audio format using a webinar platform.

Presenters: Mark Epstein, DVM, DABVP (Canine/Feline), CVA, CVPP, DAAPM
Bonnie Wright, DVM, DACVAA
Sheilah Robertson, DVM, DACVAA (Anesthesiology), DECVAA, MRCVS
Mary Ellen Goldberg, BS, LVT, CVT, SRA, CCRVN, CVPP, VTS-Lab Animal Medicine (Research Anesthesia), VTS-Physical Rehabilitation
Tammy Grubb, DVM, MS, DACVAA
Janice L Huntingford DVM, DACVSMR, CVA, CVPP, CCRT CAVCA
Laurie McCauley, DVM, CCRT, CVA, CVC, ACVSMR
Jim Berry, DVM, CVA, CAC, CCR
Course Open: July 1-September 8, 2021
Real Time Sessions (RTS): Sundays, July 11, 18, 25, August 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29, 2021; 8:00-10:00 pm ET (USA) World Clock Converter
Total CE Credit: 16
RACE Category: 16 hours Medical

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Course Information:
This course is a comprehensive review of the most contemporary concepts of pain management in dogs and cats, from neurobiology to neuropharmacology to physical modalities, and "pulling it all together" in applications across a broad spectrum of clinical presentations. The course may be used as a review and study tool for IVAPM's Certified Veterinary Pain Practitioner (CVPP) examination.

Learning Objectives:
Upon completion of the course, the participant should be able to
  • describe the neurophysiology of pain perception via pain receptors, pathways, and neurotransmitters.
  • list the pharmacologic targets of pain modifying drugs.
  • describe the difference in the pathophysiology of adaptive and maladaptive pain.
  • describe the neuropharmacologic aspects of ketamine as a pain-modifying agent.
  • describe the clinical applications of sub-anesthetic ketamine constant rate infusion.
  • describe the mechanism and clinical benefits of local anesthetics (LA).
  • explain the proper and safe use of LA.
  • discuss the common clinical applications of LA in the surgical setting.
  • discuss the benefits and proper use of adjunct medications (i.e., tramadol, gabapentin, amantadine, SSRIs, TCAs, alpha-2 agonists etc.).
  • discuss the benefits and proper use of intrinsic/endogenous therapies (i.e., acupuncture, massage, etc.).
  • describe the mechanism and clinical benefits of opioids, alpha-2 agonists, NSAIDs, and acetaminophen.
  • describe the proper and safe use of opioids, NSAIDs, and acetaminophen.
  • discuss how pain presents in dogs and cats.
  • describe the different scales available for assessing pain.
  • discuss what is new and what is on the horizon for pain management.
  • discuss the proper treatment for peri-operative acute pain (integrated approach with opioids, NSAIDs, alpha-2 agonists, gabapentin, CRIs, and loco-regional).
  • discuss the proper treatment for visceral medical pain resulting from conditions such as pancreatitis, gastroenteritis, and ocular disease.
  • discuss the proper treatment for pain resulting from trauma.
  • describe how chronic pain develops.
  • recognize chronic pain in their patients.
  • describe appropriate treatment for the chronic pain conditions discussed previously - pancreatitis, gastroenteritis, and ocular disease.
  • recognize adverse effects of certain medications that are used for chronic pain.
  • discuss the non-pharmacological modalities available for chronic pain patients.
  • discuss the various modalities available for addressing pain resulting from cancer.
  • describe the goals and objectives of veterinary rehabilitation as it relates to painful patients.
  • discuss the use of adjunct modalities (therapeutics, U/S, laser, TENS, shock wave, etc.) in veterinary rehabilitation.
  • recognize how and when the basic modalities and therapeutics for pain relief should be applied.
  • discuss the basics of how acupuncture works to relieve pain.
  • describe when acupuncture would be beneficial for pain relief.
  • discuss the importance of body weight and its role in recovery and rehabilitation.

Level and Prerequisites: This basic VIN CE course is open for enrollment to veterinarians and veterinary technicians/technologists actively interested in pain management for dogs and cats.
Accreditation: This course is approved for 16 hours of continuing education credit by RACE for veterinarians and veterinary technicians/technologists. (RACE 20-843713)

Course Agenda:

Week 1 (Real Time Session July 11, 2021): Neurophysiology of Pain
Presenters: Mark Epstein, DVM, DABVP (Canine/Feline), CVA, CVPP, DAAPM

Week 2 (Real Time Session July 18, 2021): Neuropharmacology I
Presenters: Mark Epstein, DVM, DABVP (Canine/Feline), CVA, CVPP, DAAPM

Week 3 (Real Time Session July 25, 2021): Neuropharmacology II
Presenters: Bonnie Wright, DVM, DACVAA
Jim Berry, DVM, CVA, CAC, CCR

Week 4 (Real Time Session August 1, 2021): Neuropharmacology III
Presenters: Sheilah Robertson, DVM, DACVAA (Anesthesiology), DECVAA, MRCVS

Week 5 (Real Time Session August 8, 2021): Clinical Applications - Pain Assessment and Emerging Modalities
Presenters: Sheilah Robertson, DVM, DACVAA (Anesthesiology), DECVAA, MRCVS
Jim Berry, DVM, CVA, CAC, CCR

Week 6 (Real Time Session August 15, 2021): Clinical Applications - Acute Pain Management
Presenters: Tammy Grubb, DVM, MS, DACVAA

Week 7 (Real Time Session August 22, 2021): Clinical Applications - Chronic Pain
Presenters: Mark Epstein, DVM, DABVP (Canine/Feline), CVA, CVPP, DAAPM
Mary Ellen Goldberg, BS, LVT, CVT, SRA, CCRVN, CVPP, VTS-Lab Animal Medicine (Research Anesthesia), VTS-Physical Rehabilitation

Week 8 (Real Time Session August 29, 2021): Clinical Applications - Non-Pharmacologic Pain
Presenters: Janice L Huntingford DVM, DACVSMR, CVA, CVPP, CCRT CAVCA
Laurie McCauley, DVM, CCRT, CVA, CVC, ACVSMR

Successful completion (scoring 80% or better) on the end-of-course test is required to earn a certificate of completion for the course. To learn more about the requirements for earning a CE certificate, please refer to Receiving Your CE Credit and Course Completion Certificate.

Course Materials: Course materials will be available in the course library prior to each Real Time Session.
Required Textbook(s): There is no required textbook for this course.


Enrollment is closed.


Tuition: Member $393 ($356 early bird special if enrolled by June 18, 2021)
Non-Member $544 ($492 early bird special if enrolled by June 18, 2021)
Prices are listed in US dollars.

*To ensure participants are ready and prepared for classes, enrollment will close on July 9, 2021 at 5 pm ET (USA) or when the maximum number of participants is reached.

*For more information on how online CE works, see the Participant Resource Center.

  1. Enrollment qualifications: VIN CE courses are open to VIN member and non-member veterinarians. Veterinarians enrolling in a VSPN CE course must be a VIN member. Veterinary support staff must be a VSPN member to enroll in a VSPN CE or a VIN CE course open to VSPN member enrollment.
  2. Each enrollee must be able to receive emails from @vspn.org and @vin.com addresses. Email is our major form of communication with participants; personal emails are highly recommended rather than clinic/hospital email addresses.
  3. For further assistance call 800-846-0028 ext. 797 or email . Please include the course title, your full name, and contact information in your correspondence.

Course withdrawal and refund policy: A complete refund of the paid course price will be issued when your withdrawal request is received prior to the listed start date of the course. If you wish to withdraw after the start date please contact the VIN office 800-846-0028 ext. 797 to discuss eligibility for a pro-rated refund.

*For more information on VIN's upcoming CE courses, check the VIN Course Catalog.

Katherine James, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (SAIM)
VIN Education Director

VIN CE Services:
800-846-0028 or 530-756-4881; ext. 797
or direct line to VIN/VSPN from the United Kingdom: 01 45 222 6154
or direct line to VIN/VSPN from Australia: 02 6145 2357