Visceral pain in dogs

Pain associated with soft internal organs or viscera is known as visceral pain.

Pain is unpleasant but inevitable. In dogs it should be prevented and controlled whenever possible. This type of pain arises when the internal organs are damaged or injured. Visceral pain is common and can be mild to severe, stemming with causes ranging from simple indigestion to surgery. This dull, constantly aching pain responds best to narcotic type analgesics (opioid analgesics, opiates).

The use of analgesics in dogs by veterinarians is still limited but is growing. Alleviating pain is an important way to improve the welfare of dogs.