INFORMED BY EVIDENCE
Evidence & references
Our approach is informed by current veterinary evidence and international pain-management guidelines, including AAHA, WSAVA, ISFM/AAFP and COAST consensus recommendations.
These sources support a multimodal approach to chronic pain and mobility care, combining veterinary assessment with options such as acupuncture, photobiomodulation/laser therapy, rehabilitation principles, weight management, medication where appropriate, and ongoing quality-of-life monitoring.
Reference list
American Animal Hospital Association. (2022). AAHA Pain Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats. Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association, 58, 55–76.
A key guideline supporting proactive, multimodal pain management in dogs and cats, including chronic pain assessment and non-pharmacological treatment options.
Epstein, M., Rodan, I., Griffenhagen, G., Kadrlik, J., Petty, M., Robertson, S., & Simpson, W. (2015). AAHA/AAFP Pain Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 17(3), 251–272.
An important earlier guideline highlighting the need to recognise, assess and manage pain throughout a pet's life.
WSAVA Global Pain Council. (2022). WSAVA Guidelines for the Recognition, Assessment and Treatment of Pain. Journal of Small Animal Practice.
A global reference for recognising and treating pain in companion animals, with emphasis on practical pain assessment and treatment planning.
Looney, A. L., Huntingford, J. L., Blaeser, L. L., & Mann, S. (2018). A randomized blind placebo-controlled trial investigating the effects of photobiomodulation therapy on canine elbow osteoarthritis. The Canadian Veterinary Journal, 59(9), 959–966.
This study investigated photobiomodulation/laser therapy in dogs with naturally occurring elbow osteoarthritis.
Alves, J. C., Santos, A., Jorge, P., et al. (2022). A randomized double-blinded controlled trial on the effects of photobiomodulation therapy in dogs with osteoarthritis. American Journal of Veterinary Research, 83(8).
A controlled trial reporting that photobiomodulation therapy reduced pain levels and improved clinical findings in dogs with hip osteoarthritis.
Huntingford, J. L., Petty, M. C., & Downing, R. (2022). Evidence-Based Application of Acupuncture for Pain Management in Companion Animals. Veterinary Sciences, 9(6), 252.
A useful review discussing acupuncture as part of pain management, including local and systemic mechanisms of analgesia.
Gong, J. (2024). Assessing the efficacy of acupuncture as the sole analgesic for canine chronic musculoskeletal pain. Veterinary Evidence.
A balanced evidence review noting that acupuncture may have owner-perceived analgesic effects but is best considered as part of a multimodal plan rather than as the sole pain-relief method.
Cachon, T., Frykman, O., Innes, J. F., et al. (2023). COAST Development Group's international consensus guidelines for the treatment of canine osteoarthritis. Frontiers in Veterinary Science.
Consensus guidelines supporting staged, patient-specific management of canine osteoarthritis using the COAST framework.
Taylor, S., Robertson, S., Sparkes, A., et al. (2024). ISFM and AAFP Consensus Guidelines on the Long-term Use of NSAIDs in Cats. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 26.
A current feline pain-management reference emphasising chronic pain assessment, caregiver involvement, multimodal care, and safe long-term NSAID decision-making in cats.
Bougherara, H., et al. (2025). A multimodal approach to canine osteoarthritis management.
A recent review summarising evidence-based approaches to canine osteoarthritis, including weight management, rehabilitation, pharmacological care and supportive therapies.
These references are provided for professional transparency about the evidence that informs our approach. They are not a substitute for veterinary advice. Every pet is different, and any treatment plan is based on an individual veterinary assessment and ongoing communication with your pet's own vet.
Have a question about our approach?
We are always happy to talk through how the evidence informs the care we offer. Start with a free, no-obligation enquiry.