Pet pain management is one of the least well
developed aspects of veterinary medicine (as well as one of the
least well met human health care needs). Research has long dispelled the
old notion that dogs and cats don't feel pain the way that people do.
Their nerve structure and neurophysiology is remarkably similar to those
of humans. Most of the major pain management principles were first
discovered through animal research. Unfortunately, the average veterinary
practice has not yet developed an adequate understanding of the key
components that are necessary for proper pet pain control.
How seriously do we take pet pain? Dr. Stein
become only the fourth veterinarian in the United States to be
credentialed in pain management when he completed credentialing through
the American Academy of Pain Management in 2005. He is a certified
veterinary acupuncturist (CVA) and a certified canine rehabilitation
therapist (CCRT). In 2007 Dr. Stein was elected to the Presidency of the
International Academy of Pain Management. In addition, in 2006 he was
appointed as one of five Consultant Editors for the Anesthesia & Pain
Management Board on the
Veterinary Information Network, a 30,000+ member continuing education
organization for practicing veterinarians worldwide. Dr. Stein is
also a member of the
American Pain Society,
The American Society of
Regional Anesthesia and Analgesia, the
International Association for the Study of Pain, and the
American Academy of Pain Management.
Dr. Stein has taken the pain management knowledge
that he has gained over the last 19 years and created a website solely
devoted to helping other veterinarians as they transition towards more
humane pet health care. The site is called
the Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia Support Group.
WWW.VASG.ORG. Dr. Stein began work on this project in 2003. Built
primarily upon material Dr. Stein wrote for our practice, the site now has
been enhanced by contributions from like-minded veterinarians from
around the country and the world. The site is maintained and funded
entirely by Dr. Stein.
Click on the picture above to see a wonderful
video detailing the importance of pet pain control. This video was
produced by the
International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management.
As an extension of our pain management expertise
we have launched a separate practice devoted entirely to enhancing patient
quality of life and longer life expectancy. The Animal Pain Management
Center (APMC) incorporates advanced pain management techniques and
medications with physical rehabilitation therapy and acupuncture with
herbal medications. Dr. Stein graduated from the
Chi Institute TCVM Small Animal Acupuncture Program in 2006 and the
Canine Rehabilitation Institute Canine Rehabilitation Program in 2007.
Our head veterinary technician, Stephanie Ortel, graduated from the
University Of Tennessee Canine Rehabilitation Program in 2007.
Click here to go to the Animal Pain Management Center website.
