The Physiology of Pain

Course overview

Understanding pain physiology is essential to recognizing, assessing, and effectively managing pain in veterinary patients. This lecture provides a comprehensive overview of how pain is generated, transmitted, and perceived across species, forming the scientific basis for clinical pain management. Topics will include nociception, peripheral and central sensitization, acute versus chronic pain mechanisms, and the impact of pain on physiologic systems. Species differences and clinically relevant pathways will be highlighted to help bridge the gap between theory and practice. By strengthening their grasp of pain physiology, attendees will be better equipped to make informed analgesic decisions and improve patient welfare across veterinary settings.