Ice therapy: cool, current and complicated.

The World Small Animal Veterinary Association Global Pain Council provides "capsules." These are short articles that present a brief assessment of the scientific evidence and practical recommendations on important, and sometimes controversial subjects in pain management. The capsules will be published in the Journal of Small Animal Practice, the official journal of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association. This is the fourth article, which discusses the use of ice or cold therapy as a non-pharmacologic modality for pain control in small animal practice. The physiological effects of cold therapy on tissues, receptors and ion channels are discussed; as well as indications, recommendations for, and limitations of use.