Companion Animal Pain Management Certificate Program (Individual)

• Veterinarian - Proof of degree(s) and/or licens(s) must be provided.

• Veterinary Technician - Proof of degree(s) and/or license(s) must be provided

• Student in one of the above professions

Companion Animal Pain Management - (25 hours) -
presented by Steven M. Fox, MS, DVM, MBA, PhD

Module 1: Osteoarthritis & Pain (2.75 hours)

1. Introduction
2. Joint Pain
3. Osteoarthritis & Inflammation
4. Neuronal Events in Joint Inflammation
5. Spinal Neurons
6. Activation of Sensory Neurons
7. Osteoarthritis & Joint Mechanics
8. Osteoarthritis Treatments
9. Managing Osteoarthritis

Module 2: Multimodal Management of Canine Osteoarthritis (2.25 hours)

1. Analgesia
2. Weight Control and Diet
3. Chondroprotectant
4. NSAIDs
5. Adjuncts
6. Physical Rehabilitation
7. Case Studies

Module 3: NSAIDs (2.75 hours)

1. Introduction to NSAIDs
2. Current NSAIDs
3. COX-1 & COX-2 Receptors
4. NSAID Half-life
5. Objective Assessment of NSAIDs
6. Safety & Adverse Effects
7. Gastrointestinal Adverse Effects
8. Asprin
9. GI Protectors, Washout Periods, & Drug Interactions
10. Frequently Asked Questions

Module 4: Pain Management in the Cat (3.0 hours)

1. Economics of Feline Pain Management
2. Challenges of Treatment Pain in Cats
3. Opioids in Cats
4. Tramadol
5. Other Analgesics
6. Degenerative Joint Disease
7. Diagnosing Degenerative Joint Disease
8. Treatment Options & Guidelines
9. Feline Chondroprotectants
10. Outcome Measures & Pain Management

Module 5: Neurobiology of Pain - Part 1 (1.5 hours)

1. The Pain pathway
2. The Gate Theory
3. Preemptive Analgesia
4. Types of Pain

Module 6: Neurobiology of Pain - Part 2 (1.75 hours)

1. Neurotransmitters
2. Opioids
3. Tricyclics & Anticonvulsants
4. NMDA-Antagonists
5. Tramadol
6. Neuropathic Pain
7. Bisphosphonates & Adjucts

Module 7: Cancer (.75 hour)

1. Cancer Pain Classification
2. Behaviors Suggesting Pain
3. Pain Management of the Cancer Patient

Module 8: Opioids & Alpha-2 Agonists (2.0 hours)

1. Controlled Substances
2. Opioid Receptors
3. Opioid Classification & Delivery
4. Common Opioids
5. Alpha-2 Agonists
6. Dexmedetomadine
7. Alpha-2 Summary

Module 9: Local Anesthetic Blocks (1.75 hours)

1. Local Anesthetics & Techniques
2. Epidural - Part 1
3. Epidural - Part 2
4. Forelimb Blocks
5. Intercostal & Dental Blocks
6. Soaker Catheters & Retrobulbar Eye Blocks

Module 10: Pain Assessment (1.5 hours)

1. Pain Processing & Variability
2. Anticipating Pain
3. Characteristics Associated with Pain
4. Pain Scales

Module 11: Animal Health Technicians in Pain Management (1.25 hours)

1. Importance of an Animal Health Technician
2. Developing a Pain Management Plan
3. Client Communications

Module 12: Tricyclics & Anticonvulsants (1.0 hour)

1. Mechanisms of Action for Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs)
2. Tramadol
3. Evidence for Pharmacological Treatment of Neuropathic Pain
4. Anticonvulsants

Module 13: Nutraceuticals and Stem Cells (2.25 hours)

1. Cartilage Structure & Function
2. Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA)
3. Nutraceuticals & Supplements
4. Destructive Players in Osteoarthritis
5. Evidence for Nutraceuticals
6. Avocado Soybean Unsaponifiables
7. Complementary Therapies
8. Stem Cells

Module 14: Pain States (.5 hour)

1. Adaptive & Maladaptive Pain
2. Visceral Pain

Pain Assessment & Management Techniques (3.0 hours) presented by Robin Downing, DVM, CVPP, CVA, CCRP, CPE, DAAPM

Pain Assessment Techniques:

1. Introduction
2. Nature of Pain
3. Patient Pain Assessment - Part 1
4. Patient Pain Assessment - Part 2

Pain Management Strategies:

1. Why is Pain Important?
2. Barriers to Treating Pain
3. Two Categories of Pain - Adaptive & Maladaptive
4. Preventing Maladaptive Pain
5. Pain Management Pyramid- breaking the Pain Cycle Pharmacologically
6. Pain Management Pyramid - Breaking the Pain Cycle Non-Pharmacologically
7. Therapeutic Laser & Pain