Pain in animals: Anatomy, physiology, and behaviors

Dong Ho Youn, Tae Wan Kim, Hee Jung Cho

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Pain, an adaptive but unpleasant sensation, is the most common symptom of numerous diseases in humans and animals. Although animal patients express this symptom frequently, a lack of communication abilities hinders its recognition by veterinary physicians, thereby leading to unsatisfactory management of the symptom. On the other hand, pain itself has its own neurological mechanisms, regardless of the disease that causes it. Thus, a physician may need to know the mechanisms underlying pain development in order to properly manage the symptom in a particular disease. In this review, we attempt to provide a brief introduction to the anatomical, physiological, and neurological basis of pain transmission and sensation. Although most knowledge about these mechanisms comes from studies in humans and laboratory animals, it is generally applicable to pet, farm, or zoo animals. In addition, we summarize pain behavior in several pet, farm, and laboratory animals for its proper identification. This information will help to identify and manage pain, and thus improve welfare, in animals.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)347-352
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Veterinary Clinics
Volume34
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2017

Keywords

  • Animal pain
  • Pain
  • Pain behaviors
  • Pain pathway
  • Spinal cord dorsal horn

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