Surgery of the femur or humerus also seems to be painful to most animals, which may be due to trauma to the major muscle groups which overly these two bones. Recovery in familiar surroundings may help to relieve pain and distress. Acclimatization prior to a procedure may also facilitate recovery. The environment should be kept stable, minimizing stimuli that evoke a fearful response in the animal. Always handle the animal in an appropriate manner.
Various analgesics are available to the investigator.
Interaction of the analgesic with concurrently used drugs and the effect of the agent on study results must be considered when choosing the best agent for a given situation.