Not so silent signals: Recognizing and assessing pain in oncology patients (SVS25)

Pain often is the primary cause for owner concern regarding quality of life for dogs and cats with cancer. Understanding the pathogenesis of pain in these patients is often as complex as the cancer disease itself, and quantifying pain can be extremely challenging. In this section we will evaluate differences in pain mechanism terminology, behavioural signs in dogs with a special emphasis on the cancer patient.

• Define a variety of pain types with respect to mechanism (nociceptive, neuropathic, nociplastic) and develop a deeper understanding of language relevant to chronic pain.
• Become more confident in recognising acute, chronic and pain in cancer patients and be aware of behavioural differences in acute and chronic pain in dogs and cats.
• Develop an understanding and appreciation of the pain types in cancer patients.