Analgesic use in farm animals by Kazakhstani veterinarians and farmers

Freedom from pain is among the most important aspects of animal welfare. The main obstacle for pain management in farm animals is an inability of personnel to recognise, quantify and evaluate the pain status of each individual animal. No information has been reported in developing countries where attitudes towards and practices in pain management might be lagging behind those in developed countries. Hence, the aim of this study was to evaluate the attitudes of farmers and veterinarians towards pain in farm animals in Kazakhstan. A total of 3,010 Kazakhstani veterinarians and farmers were contacted by electronic and regular post and 2,005 (66.6%) surveys were returned and analysed. Use of analgesic agents for the conditions and procedures considered in the survey was widespread, but use of opioids was not recorded. The responses indicated that few veterinarians (8.9%) and a negligible number of farmers (0.6%) sufficiently appreciated pain in farm animals. In conclusion, further measures to increase the level of knowledge and awareness regarding farm animal pain in veterinary students, licensed veterinarians and farmers should be undertaken in Kazakhstan.