Controle da dor e cuidados paliativos em cães e gatos com cancer. É possível?

Abstract

Cancer causes important alterations that affect the health and well-being of animals. The aim of this study was to conduct a literature review in the Pubmed database in the areas of both veterinary and human medicine about the guidelines for pain management and the maintenance of quality of life in animals with cancer. The knowledge about the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the sensation of pain and its clinical consequences, especially in cancer patients, led to the development of treatment effective methodologies to relieve pain, that can also be applied to animals. Pain control by pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods, as well as the treatment of other clinical manifestations related or not to cancer, are measures that can be adopted to ensure animal confort and well-being.