It is well-established that animals experience pain, and that preventing and managing animal pain is an core component of veterinary practice. Recognizing pain in non-verbal patients, however, presents a challenge. This lecture describes physiological and behavioral indicators of pain in a variety of species, with a focus on canine and feline patients. Several methods of quantifying pain will be discussed and demonstrated, along with their advantages and limitations in different settings. Veterinary professionals who are adept at identifying painful animals are more able to provide and advocate for appropriate analgesia.
