Veterinarians Have New Guidelines For Reducing Opioid Use in Animals with Pain

You have probably heard that the United States is in the midst of an opioid crisis. But did you know that it’s not just a problem for humans – and that animals suffering from pain are also frequently given these addictive drugs?

The IVAPM, in tandem with the American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia, published a white paper titled “Opioid-sparing pain therapy in animals: working task force”.

With the human opioid epidemic in the background, the American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia and the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management joined forces to publish a white paper titled Opioid-sparing pain therapy in animals: working task force. According to the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, “the document is a consensus report from a 13-member task force on increasing restrictions on the use and availability of opioids in veterinary medicine.”

The purpose of the paper is to offer guidance to veterinarians on how to treat pain in animals without relying on opioids as a first-line treatment. While pharmaceutical substitutes such as anti-inflammatory drugs are outlined as options, “nonpharmacological methods, including complementary therapies such as acupuncture and physical therapy, are also discussed as possible alternatives to opioids.”

Alpha-Stim® is another alternative. It is a fast, safe, effective, and drug-free treatment for acute, post-traumatic, and chronic pain in animals. Since Alpha-Stim is not a drug, there is no risk of scary side effects or dependency – just relief, so your animal can get back to feeling like himself again.

With Alpha-Stim, you treat your pet’s pain right where it hurts. After using the Smart Probes, you’ll also treat your pet with Earclip Electrodes for a Cranial Electrotherapy (CES) session.

With Alpha-Stim, you will use two handheld Smart Probes to deliver relief directly to the site of your animal’s pain. Our patented protocol is easy to follow, and is well tolerated by animals. Treatments are painless and fast – they last only minutes, and can be done in the comfort of your own home, where your pet feels safe and happiest. Not only do treatments not hurt, but many animals actually enjoy them. In most cases, you’ll be able to see observable results within moments. On top of that, Alpha-Stim also treats anxiety, insomnia, and depression – which often go hand in hand with pain in animals.

If your pet is suffering from pain, you don’t have to settle for medications that come with a laundry list of side effects and risks. As veterinarians across the nation recognize the need to move away from opioids as a treatment for pain in animals, Alpha-Stim is a perfect way to care for the physical and mental wellbeing of your pets. Get started today!

The full text of the white paper can be found here.

About Alpha-Stim® for Animals

Alpha-Stim is a non-invasive medical device used in clinic or at home for the treatment and elimination of pain, anxiety, and stress related disorders in animals. This technology utilizes two modalities: microcurrent electrical therapy (MET) peripherally and cranial electrotherapy stimulation (CES) centrally.

It has been proven fast, safe and effective on humans and animals over 37 years and is recommended and relied upon by Dr. Ava Frick, the leading authority in veterinary microcurrent therapy and a pioneer in the field of animal rehabilitation.

Get started with Alpha-Stim.