Manejo del dolor postquirúrgico en cirugías ortopédicas y de tejidos blandos en clínicas veterinarias del cantón Guayaquil, Ecuador

Proper management of postoperative pain in veterinary clinics in the city of Guayaquil could optimize animal recovery and ensure high standards of welfare. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the current status of postoperative pain management in veterinary clinics in the Guayaquil Canton, Guayas, Ecuador. The study employed a mixed-methods, non-experimental, cross-sectional design. Using non-probabilistic convenience sampling, 309 veterinarians were surveyed using a structured questionnaire consisting of 25 items divided into five key sections. Data were collected with informed consent and under conditions of confidentiality and will be analyzed using descriptive statistics with absolute and relative frequencies. The results show a predominantly generalist professional profile with early-to-intermediate experience (42.7%). Although there is a high regard for pain management (77.0%) and widespread use of NSAIDs (meloxicam 65.4%), gaps persist: 49.5% have only undergraduate training, the use of pain scales and nerve blocks is limited, and the main barrier is cost/availability (36.6%). There is a high willingness to undergo training (78.3%). Postoperative pain management is highly valued by veterinarians in Guayaquil, with frequent use of NSAIDs, preventive analgesia, and post-discharge follow-up standing out. However, limitations persist in the standardization of validated scales and regional anesthesia due to gaps in training, costs, and drug availability. There is a clear opportunity to implement systematic protocols and promote continuing education programs