Controle da dor em animais de produção da região Centro-Oeste de Minas Gerais

Recognizing and treating pain is a functional responsibility of the veterinarian, but it is clear that the subject is still challenging for a significant number of professionals, which can cause harm to animals. The aim was therefore to carry out a survey, using an electronic form, of the techniques used to control pain by veterinarians who work with production animals in the Midwest region in the state of Minas Gerais and their knowledge about animal welfare. Twelve responses were obtained, the majority of whom were male and formed no more than ten years ago. The most common surgical procedures cited were orchiectomy, dehorning, caesarean section, orthopedic surgery and dental procedures. Chemical restraint, combined with physical restraint, was the most commonly used method. Sedation/tranquilization approaches (xylazine and acepromazine), locoregional anesthesia (lidocaine) and the use of the pain control drugs (meloxicam, dipyrone, flunixin meglumine, phenylbutazone and tramadol) were the most common. The physiological parameters most used to detect and control pain were vocalization, immobility, inappetence, sensitivity to touch, pain assessment scale, blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory rate. Only 25% of the participants report associating an anesthesiologist to monitor their patients. Only 16.66% of the veterinarians define their knowledge about anesthesia as adequate. All of the professionals are concerned about animal welfare, regardless of their knowledge of the five freedoms (p>0.05). Two professionals (16.66%) did not use pre-anesthetic medication, regardless of the length of their training or specialization (p>0.05). Professionals were interested in training in animal welfare, pain control and analgesia, mainly through courses and events. It can therefore be concluded that professionals mostly perform procedures such as sedation/tranquilization, local anaesthesia and pain control drugs. As a result, there are limitations in the provision of anaesthesia, analgesia and animal welfare services, which justifies the need for professional training courses, as well as providing data for future research, both with the aim of boosting the quality of the services provided in this region of the state of Minas Gerais.