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| Acupuncture may be a highly effective analgesic option for cancer patients and may reduce the levels of medication required for patients. (Courtesy of Dr. Robinson) |
Short of finding a cure for their animal with cancer, oncology clients want ways to reduce their animal’s suffering. While some elect euthanasia, many would consider otherwise if provided effective options. Maximizing comfort and minimizing pain usually requires multimodal analgesia due to the unique challenges that cancer pain poses.
1 Typically, this involves a combination of conventional and complementary and alternative medical intervention.
2 The American Cancer Society and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network cancer pain practice guidelines ask that clinicians recommend nonpharmacologic measures if pain remains uncontrolled despite pharmacologic management and re-evaluation.
3 Pain ComplexitiesWhat makes cancer pain complex? One reason concerns the physiology of tumor pain itself. Chemical interactions between cancer cells and sensory neurons appear to contribute to tumor pain. Researchers recently showed that increased numbers of voltage-gated calcium channels mediate mechanical hyperalgesia in a fibrosarcoma cancer model.
4 Other issues also make cancer pain unique. Dogs post-amputation require special attention to the myofascial and spinal restrictions they will develop along their back, neck and remaining limbs. Patients receiving radiation therapy need pain r...
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