Assessing Pain, Improving Welfare: Insights from Dr Beatriz Monteiro

Assessing Pain, Improving Welfare: Insights from Dr Beatriz Monteiro

Author: maryvy February 27, 2026 Duration: 55:15
In this episode we are joined by Dr Beatriz Monteiro, to discuss in more depth the impact of pain on animal welfare. We consider the differences between acute and chronic pain, how pain impacts on all aspects of animal welfare, the use of validated pain scales such as the Feline Grimace Scale and the importance of evidence based medicine. We talk a lot about the WSAVA and their resources on pain management, and you can find the links to these at the end of these notes. We hope you will join The Animal Welfare Conversation. Biography - Dr. Beatriz Monteiro DVM, PhD, PgDip, ISFMAdvCertFB, Diplomate ACAW Dr. Monteiro received her veterinary degree from the Unesp-Botucatu followed by two internships at the University of Guelph. She has a PhD in chronic pain from the University of Montreal (UdeM), a Postgraduate Diploma in International Animal Welfare, Ethics and Law from the University of Edinburgh, and an Advanced Certificate in Feline Behaviour from the International Society of Feline Medicine. She is board-certified by the American College of Animal Welfare (ACAW). Dr. Monteiro has acted as the Chair of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) Pain Committee and as a board member of the International Veterinary Academy of Pain (IVAPM) and World Animal Protection Canada. While at UdeM, she was involved in numerous studies related to the Feline Grimace Scale. She has authored over 80 peer-reviewed publications, 8 book chapters and has lectured in numerous international conferences. Dr. Monteiro supports the use of science for guiding societal progress while promoting the concepts of One Welfare to improve the lives of animals and people while caring for the planet we all share.   Links and further information 2022 WSAVA Global Pain Management Guidelines: 2022 WSAVA guidelines for the recognition, assessment and treatment of pain - Monteiro - 2023 - Journal of Small Animal Practice - Wiley Online Library   2022 AAHA Pain Management Guidelines: 2022 AAHA Pain Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats* | Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association   WSAVA Certificate in Pain Management: WSAVA Certificate in Pain Management - WSAVA

What does it truly mean to care for an animal, whether it's a beloved pet at home or a species on the brink in the wild? Animal Welfare Conversations digs into that question through candid, often surprising discussions with the people on the front lines. Hosted by maryvy, each episode brings you directly into dialogue with veterinary surgeons and nurses making critical medical decisions, conservationists designing field interventions, and animal owners navigating daily ethical choices. The scope is deliberately broad, covering pets, domestic animals, farm residents, zoo inhabitants, and wildlife, because the principles of compassionate care connect them all. You'll hear concrete stories about decision-making and the realities of providing a good life, not just abstract theory. This is a podcast built on curiosity and a willingness to re-examine what we think we know, challenging assumptions about standard practices and long-held beliefs in the pursuit of tangible improvement. It’s for anyone-families, science enthusiasts, or nature lovers-who believes animal welfare is a complex, evolving conversation worth having. Tune in for perspectives that are both deeply personal and rigorously practical, reminding us of our shared responsibility toward the creatures in our care.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 41

Animal Welfare Conversations
Podcast Episodes
Episode 18: Nora Smith and the work of the USPCA [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:22
In this episode we focus on the work of the Ulster Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, otherwise known as the USPCA. Established in 1836, the USPCA is the second oldest animal welfare charity in the world,…
Announcing a new award for animal welfare [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:10
Sneak preview! We are still finalising things, but I wanted to let you know that Animal Welfare Conversations is launching a new award for Animal Welfare. The Alex Fraser Medal for Animal Welfare will be awarded on an an…
Episode 15 - Dr Bronwyn Orr - Animal Welfare Science [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:40
Welcome to the next episode of the Animal Welfare conversation. This week we’re joined by Dr Bronwyn Orr, who is a veterinary surgeon in Australia. Dr Bronwyn Orr has a particular interest in animal welfare, completing a…
Episode 14 - Dr Marc Abraham OBE, Campaigning for lasting change [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:14:18
In this episode we catch up with Dr Marc Abraham OBE, BVM&S MRCVS, or ‘Marc the Vet’ as he’s usually known, a multi-award-winning veterinary surgeon, author, broadcaster, and animal welfare campaigner. Marc qualified fro…
Episode 12 - Beverley Cuddy, Editor, Dogs Today Magazine [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:23
In this episode we catch up with Beverley Cuddy, editor of Dogs Today Magazine. Beverley Cuddy has been the editor of Dogs Today magazine since in launch in 1990 when it was part of the Daily Mail group. From childhood s…
Episode 11 Sam Fontaine RVN - Giving Vet Nurses a Seat at the Table [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:12
In this episode we meet Sam Fontaine MSc PGCAP BSc DipAVN(Med) RVN FHEA SFRET Sam qualified as a veterinary nurse in 2002 and after a short time in general practice, joined the University of Glasgow’s Small Animal Hospit…
Episode 10 - Emma Ruggles RVN - Hydrotherapy and Animal Welfare [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:11
In this episode we meet Emma Ruggles RVN CertVNECC APVN (Wildlife and Zoo Animals) L3CertSAHydro. Emma has worked in the veterinary industry for 10 years and qualified as a registered veterinary nurse in 2016, and has al…
Episode 9 - Veterinary Nursing with Lacey Pitcher [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 53:50
In this episode we chat to Lacey Pitcher RVN about the world of veterinary nursing, and that impact of that on animal welfare. We consider the importance of understanding socio-economic factors in animal welfare, sharing…