Changes

 

Analgesia is a very important consideration in patient management, especially those that have undergone surgery. Many drugs can work ''synergistically'' to maximise their analgesic properties. This is termed '''multimodal''' analgesia. In some cases possible to use both systemic analgesia and local analgesic techniques in combination.

Analgesia is a very important consideration in patient management, especially those that have undergone surgery. Many drugs can work ''synergistically'' to maximise their analgesic properties. This is termed '''multimodal''' analgesia. In some cases possible to use both systemic analgesia and local analgesic techniques in combination.

'''Systemic analgesia''' refers to the use of certain analgesic drugs that act at the appropriate receptor that can be found across the body. Classes of drugs includes opioids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDS), as well as ketamine and gabapentin.

'''Systemic analgesia''' refers to the use of certain analgesic drugs that act at the appropriate receptor that can be found across the body. Classes of drugs includes opioids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDS), as well as ketamine and gabapentin.

==Opioids==

==Opioids==

[[Opioids|Opioids]] are considered the most potent and efficious analgesic drugs available in veterinary medicine. They are used more commonly for ''acute'' pain.  Opioids are both natural and synthetic and includes [[#opioids|morphine]], [[#opioids|methadone]], [[#opioids|buprenorphine]], [[#opioids|pethidine]] and [[#opioids|fentanyl]] among others. They act upon opioid repectors as full agonists, partial agonists, agonist-antagonists or full anatagonists.   

[[Opioids|Opioids]] are considered the most potent and efficious analgesic drugs available in veterinary medicine. They are used more commonly for ''acute'' pain.  Opioids are both natural and synthetic and includes [[#opioids|morphine]], [[#opioids|methadone]], [[#opioids|buprenorphine]], [[#opioids|pethidine]] and [[#opioids|fentanyl]] among others. They act upon opioid repectors as full agonists, partial agonists, agonist-antagonists or full anatagonists.   

    

    

==Gabapentin==

==Gabapentin==

Used as an anticonvulsant in human medicine, Gabapentin has also been shown to have some analgesic properties also. It is thought to produce its effects via a secondary increase in gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) production which is an ''inhibitory neurotransmitter'' and may possible also act to block calcium channels within the membrane. ITs current use in veterinary patients is for neuropathic pain in dogs and cats. However, it does have some sedative properties.

Used as an anticonvulsant in human medicine, Gabapentin has also been shown to have some analgesic properties also. It is thought to produce its effects via a secondary increase in gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) production which is an ''inhibitory neurotransmitter'' and may possible also act to block calcium channels within the membrane. ITs current use in veterinary patients is for neuropathic pain in dogs and cats. However, it does have some sedative properties.