Which of the following treatments is primarily palliative rather than curative?

Palliative treatments focus on relieving symptoms and improving quality of life rather than aiming to cure the underlying disease. Pain management is a key component of palliative care, especially for animals suffering from advanced cancer or other serious conditions. By addressing pain and discomfort, this approach allows animals to have a better quality of life, even if the disease itself cannot be eradicated.

In contrast, surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy are typically employed with curative intent or to achieve remission. These treatments aim to actively target and eliminate cancerous cells or tumor masses. While they may provide some symptom relief, their primary goal is often to treat the cancer and potentially cure it. Hence, pain management stands out as the correct answer, as it is designed specifically to enhance comfort and well-being in the context of serious illness without the expectation of curing the disease.