Document type: scientific article published in Acta Scientific Veterinary Sciences
Preview: Management of chronic pain in animals is complex because of the multi-dimensional nature of pain (intensity, frequency and duration) and the absence of an assessment tool, which quantifies these different dimensions. Recently, many researchers have been working to develop behavioural assessment tools to quantify chronic pain in equines, especially in conditions such as chronic laminitis in horses, with varying amounts of success. In animals, using a self-reporting technique is not possible; therefore, behaviour assessment is the gold standard under most conditions, especially in the field. Pain related behaviours are species specific. Therefore, there is a need to have an individual assessment tool for each species (such as separate assessment tools for donkeys, horses and mules). Working equines in developing countries are at greater risk of chronic pain than equines in the developed world due to the strenuous work in which they are involved. Equines working in highly regulated environments as in economically developed countries, also suffer from chronic pain due to conditions such as laminitis, navicular disease, several kinds of arthritis and back pain, for which assessment and management tools are currently very limited. This paper discusses some strategies to assess and manage chronic pain in working equines.
