Physiotherapy for Pain Control in Dogs and Cats

Analgesia and pain control are essential issues in the area of veterinary rehabilitation. Considered as the fourth vital sign, acute or chronic pain requires early intervention, the anticipation of evolution, and assessment to achieve individualized treatment protocols. The acronym PLATTER (PLan, Anticipate, TreaT, Evaluate, and Return) [1], guides the professional for the establishment of analgesia, including in the area of physiotherapy. Following the acronym, the first stage involves planning. In a rehabilitation program, it refers to the choice, within the methods available, those suitable for that patient’s condition. For example, laser therapy (Figure 1) may be the choice for a feline with spine pain, as it is an easy and non-invasive method with good acceptance of the species. But for a dog that accepts manipulation, acupuncture associated with massage therapy (Figure 2) can bring the result of analgesia as quickly and pleasantly treatment [2].