How do animals express pain?
Dr Mandala Hunter-Ishikawa, Senior Veterinary Trainer at Animals Asia, has developed a pioneering tool to help vets and animal guardians recognise pain in the animals they care for.
In an insightful piece for Veterinary Practice News, Mandala explores the importance of using validated pain scales in animal care, an often overlooked but vital aspect of veterinary practice, especially for captive and rescued animals.
Key highlights:
- Why pain is often under-recognised and under-treated
- The role of validated pain assessment tools in improving welfare outcomes
- How behavioural changes can signal pain, and why standardised scales help eliminate guesswork
- The importance of building a consistent and compassionate approach to pain management across teams
Watch Mandala discuss how pain scales are transforming care at Animals Asia’s sanctuaries.
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