Over the past decade, since publication of the first edition of Chronic Pain in Small Animal Medicine, many advances have been made in the discipline of pain management, including embracement under the One Medicine initiative to improve the health and well-being of multiple species. Contributing significantly to this progress is the evidence base provided by multimodal management of chronic diseases such as osteoarthritis, a leading cause of pet euthanasia. These advances are explored in this updated edition, written for the veterinary professional seeking a greater depth of knowledge in the mechanisms of pain accompanying chronic disease states and the potential targets for treatment. Additional new sections describe newer drugs that are now in wide use, the Canine Osteoarthritis Staging Tool (COAST), novel approaches to cancer treatment, and cannabinoids and their functions.

The book goes beyond common protocols by focusing on the latest evidence and our understanding of ‘why and how to treat’. It describes and evaluates current physiological and biochemical theories of pain transmission without losing sight of the practical need for such information. Chronic Pain in Small Animal Medicine provides a foundation for advances in animal care and welfare and is necessary reading for veterinarians in practice and training.

We’re living in an age of exciting, new discoveries, but these are only exciting if we are aware of these offerings and their optimal indications for use. This book aims to open veterinarians’ eyes to the myriad new ways we can now treat chronic pain in small animals.