Veterinary Pain Management Market

The global veterinary pain management market is foreseen to grow by 6.6%, from USD 1.98 Billion in 2022 to USD 3.30 Billion in 2030. Growth in companion animal population, increasing consumption of meat & milk, growing prevalence of diseases is to drive the market for the upcoming forecast period. However, rising pet care costs, side effects associated with treatment and high cost of certain products remains one factor hindering the market growth over the anticipated period.

Market Definition

What Is Veterinary Pain Management?

Veterinary pain management plays a crucial role in ensuring the health and well-being of animals. As responsible pet owners and caretakers, it is our duty to recognize and address the pain experienced by our beloved companions. This essay explores the importance of veterinary pain management, the top factors influencing its practice, and the role of government policies in safeguarding animal welfare.

Market Overview

Significance of Veterinary Pain Management

Veterinary pain management aims to alleviate pain and discomfort in animals caused by various conditions, including injuries, surgeries, chronic illnesses, and age-related ailments. Pain can significantly affect an animal's quality of life, leading to behavioral changes, reduced mobility, and compromised overall health. By effectively managing pain, veterinarians not only relieve suffering but also promote faster recovery, improve outcomes, and enhance the animal's overall well-being.

Factors Influencing Veterinary Pain Management

Animal Welfare Awareness: The growing awareness and understanding of animal welfare have led to increased demand for comprehensive pain management in veterinary practice. Pet owners are now more educated about the importance of identifying and treating pain in their animals, prompting veterinarians to prioritize pain assessment and employ appropriate pain management techniques.

Advancements in Pain Assessment: Technological advancements in veterinary medicine have facilitated better pain assessment in animals. Tools such as pain scales, diagnostic imaging, and biomarkers help veterinarians accurately evaluate pain intensity, duration, and its impact on the animal's physiological and behavioral well-being. This enables tailored pain management plans and ensures optimal care for individual animals.

Multimodal Pain Management Approaches: Veterinary medicine has embraced the concept of multimodal pain management, which involves combining various techniques and medications to achieve synergistic pain relief. These approaches may include pharmacological interventions, physical therapies, acupuncture, rehabilitation exercises, and complementary therapies. By employing a multimodal approach, veterinarians can address pain from different angles, enhancing its efficacy and minimizing potential side effects.

Government Policies and Animal Welfare

Regulatory Guidelines: Governments play a crucial role in promoting veterinary pain management through the establishment of regulatory guidelines. These guidelines outline the standards of care for pain management in animals, ensuring that veterinarians follow best practices to alleviate pain effectively. Governments often collaborate with professional veterinary organizations to develop evidence-based guidelines and provide training and resources to veterinary professionals.

Animal Welfare Legislation: Government policies focused on animal welfare prioritize the prevention and management of pain in animals. Animal welfare acts and regulations mandate that animals be protected from unnecessary suffering and pain. These policies may encompass specific provisions for pain management during procedures, surgeries, and other veterinary interventions. Compliance with these regulations is essential for veterinarians and animal care facilities to uphold ethical practices and provide the best possible care to animals.

Research Funding and Education: Governments often allocate research funding to support studies on veterinary pain management. This funding enables the development of new pain management techniques, medications, and treatment modalities specific to animals. Additionally, governments invest in educational initiatives to train veterinary professionals in pain assessment and management, ensuring the availability of competent and compassionate practitioners in the field.

Dynamics of Veterinary Pain Management Market

DRIVERS in Veterinary Pain Management Market

Surge in the number of veterinary practitioners in developed economies

The increasing presence of veterinary professionals in developed nations is a key catalyst for the growth of private clinical practices and hospitals. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, the veterinary workforce in the United States has witnessed a rise from 117,735 in 2017 to 124,069 in 2023. Similarly, countries like Australia and New Zealand are experiencing a yearly growth rate of over 3-4% in their veterinarian count. This trend is expected to fuel the demand for veterinary pain management products during the forecast period. The market's growth is driven by the higher incidence of painful and inflammatory conditions in animals, the need for accessible and cost-effective treatment options, and the growing awareness regarding animal health and welfare. For example, a study by the Morris Animal Foundation in March 2021 revealed that osteoarthritis affects approximately 14.0 million adult dogs annually in the United States, making it a top concern for pet owners. Additionally, the American Animal Health Association reported in April 2021 that around 6.0 million dogs are diagnosed with cancer each year, with approximately one in four dogs developing cancer at some point, especially those older than ten.

Government and organizational initiatives are also expected to contribute positively to the market's growth. The Federation of European Companion Animal Veterinary Associations (FECAVA) launched the "FECAVA Basic Practices in Anesthesia and Analgesia" campaign, which involves essential lectures across Europe in the coming years and a series of printable posters and infographics related to animal anesthesia and pain management. Such supportive endeavors are anticipated to create new opportunities for the market in the future.

RESTRAINTS in Veterinary Pain Management Market

Several pain management drugs used in veterinary medicine are exclusively available through prescriptions, necessitating their administration by licensed veterinarians. This regulatory restriction ensures appropriate usage, preventing the misuse or overuse of controlled substances. Veterinary practices and practitioners are subject to oversight by regulatory bodies that establish guidelines, standards, and licensing requirements. These governing bodies often enforce specific regulations related to pain management practices and medication usage. Certain pain medications fall into the category of controlled substances, which are subjected to additional regulations to prevent their improper use. These substances may require specialized storage, meticulous record-keeping, and periodic inspections. Veterinarians must adhere to animal welfare regulations when addressing pain management in animals. These regulations encompass guidelines on the proper use of pain medications, treatment protocols, and the significance of monitoring and assessing pain levels in animals. Veterinary professionals, including veterinarians and technicians, must obtain appropriate licenses to practice and may be required to fulfill continuing education requirements to stay updated with the latest advancements in pain management techniques and medications.

OPPORTUNITIES in Veterinary Pain Management Market

Rising acceptance of alternative and non-drug treatment methods

The increasing acceptance of non-pharmaceutical techniques for managing pain presents significant opportunities for the market's future growth. Non-conventional approaches such as laser therapy and electromagnetic therapy are gaining popularity as they offer advantages over traditional pharmaceutical pain management options. Laser therapy involves using light energy of specific wavelength, frequency, and power to alleviate inflammation and pain, while electromagnetic therapy utilizes magnetic fields, radio waves, and other forms of electromagnetic energy at desired intensities. These therapies address the root causes of pain, eliminating the need for invasive surgeries and reducing reliance on pain relief drugs. Moreover, they contribute to shorter healing periods for patients.

Key players like K-Laser USA and Assisi are actively involved in developing devices for laser and electromagnetic therapy, respectively. Assisi, for example, promotes its FDA-approved non-pharmaceutical anti-inflammatory device (tPEMF therapy) as a solution that accelerates wound healing by up to 58%. These companies continue to innovate and introduce new pain management devices. K-Laser USA, for instance, has developed Platinum 4, the world's first smart laser equipped with advanced features such as tailored power, wavelength, pulsing, and expert protocols. The device is supported by a performance tracking app that provides treatment statistics, revenue generation calculations, and comprehensive patient profiles.

CHALLENGES in Veterinary Pain Management Market

Rigorous regulatory procedures

Strict regulations surround veterinary pain management products to ensure animal health, quality, and efficacy. Regulatory bodies, including the Veterinary International Committee for Harmonization (VICH), collaborate with authorities in the US, Europe, and Japan to establish guidelines. Regulatory agencies such as the US FDA, Canadian Food Agency, European Medicines Agency, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (MAFF), and the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) play crucial roles in approving veterinary medicines, overseeing the regulatory Route Of Administration, and maintaining product safety standards.

Ecosystem of Veterinary Pain Management Market

Last year, the drug market witnessed significant revenue growth, primarily driven by the increased utilization of NSAIDs for animal treatment. Among the drug market segment, NSAIDs emerged as the dominant sub-segment due to their widespread use in managing pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis. To minimize side effects and improve efficacy, companies are actively developing new NSAIDs.

In contrast, the forecast period anticipates a gradual increase in opioids due to stringent regulations. The FDA has imposed strict guidelines governing the manufacturing, storage, and sale of opioid medications to prevent their misuse by pet owners. These regulations are expected to limit the growth of the opioids segment in the coming years.

The veterinary pain management market is categorized into various applications, including joint pain, post-operative pain, cancer, and others. The post-operative segment held the second largest market share last year, driven by the rising number of veterinary surgeries in both developed and developing markets.

Regarding animal types, companion animals and livestock animals are the key segments of the veterinary pain management market. Among companion animals, cats accounted for the largest market share last year. This can be attributed to the increasing ownership of cats and the growing expenditure on pet healthcare. On the other hand, the livestock animal segment is expected to have a significant market share due to the rising prevalence of chronic diseases, increased awareness among animal healthcare organizations, and higher spending on animal healthcare in developing countries.

Livestock animals often exhibit visual signs of discomfort, including lameness, accelerated breathing, increased vocalization, expiratory grunts, and teeth grinding. The most commonly prescribed treatments for livestock animals include NSAIDs, adrenergic medications, and local anesthetics.

Furthermore, the companion animal category is projected to witness steady growth throughout the forecast period, driven by increasing ownership, awareness, and the demand for effective animal care. The rising prevalence of obesity and chronic diseases like osteoarthritis and cancer among companion animals further fuels market growth.

In terms of end users, veterinary hospitals accounted for the largest share of the veterinary pain management market during the forecast period. This can be attributed to the large pool of veterinarians, the establishment of private hospitals by veterinarians, increased visits by animal owners, and the growing adoption of pet healthcare insurance. Veterinary clinics and pharmacies & drug stores are also significant contributors to the market but to a lesser extent compared to veterinary hospitals.

Laser therapy is a widely utilized treatment for various conditions such as chronic and acute injuries, arthritis, sprains and strains, swelling caused by back disc problems, and muscular-skeletal abnormalities. Additionally, it has proven effective in promoting nerve tissue regeneration following surgical procedures. Among the most commonly performed laser therapies in the veterinary field is the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) in dogs and cats. The recommended laser intensity for OA typically ranges between 8 and 10 J/cm2. Laser therapy can also be beneficial for tendonitis due to its ability to reduce inflammation associated with the condition.

Certain laser devices offer versatility for both surgical and therapeutic applications through emission level control. Notable brands specializing in laser therapy for veterinary pain management include B-Cure Laser, TENDLITE, Lumasoothe, iReliev, Keebomed, and MLS Laser Therapy (ASAveterinary), among others. These brands provide reliable options for veterinary professionals seeking effective laser therapy solutions.

Market Segmentation

For the purpose of this report, the global Veterinary Pain Management market segmented on the basis of product type, application, route of administration, animal type, end user, and region:

Product Type Outlook:

On the basis of Product Type, the market is segmented into Drug Type, Device Type. Further, Drug Type is segmented into NSAIDs, Opioids, Local Anesthetics, Alpha-2 Agonists, Disease-modifying Osteoarthritis Agents, Others. Further, Device Type is segmented into Laser Therepy Device, Electromagnetic Device.

Application Outlook:

On the basis of application, the market is segmented into postoperative, cancer, arthritis, others.

Route Of Administration Outlook:

On the basis of route of administration, the market is segmented into oral, parenteral, topical.

Figure 1 Veterinary Pain Management Market By Route Of Administration (Market Size And Forecast By Value - USD Million, 2022 & 2030)