Comprehensive Pain Management

Decades ago in veterinary medicine, pain was thought to be good for an injured or sick animal.  They believed that pain helped keep animals sufficiently quiet in order to heal. Plus, it was thought that there really wasn't any way to know whether a pet was feeling pain or needed some relief. Today it is a very different philosophy: veterinarians now believe they should treat for pain until there is proof that an animal isn't hurting. Pain management will improve the recovery process, whether from illness, surgery or injury. 

Different Kinds of Pain

1. Acute Pain

Acute pain comes on suddenly as a result of an injury, surgery, inflammation or infection. It can be extremely uncomfortable for your pet and it may limit their mobility. Usually this is temporary. It generally goes away when the condition that causes it is treated. 

2. Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is long lasting and usually slow to develop. Some of the more common sources of chronic pain are age-related disorders such as arthritis, but it can also result from illnesses such as cancer or bone disease. This pain may be the hardest to deal with, because it can go on for years, or for an animal's entire lifetime. Also, because it develops slowly, some animals may gradually learn to tolerate the pain and live with it. This can make chronic pain difficult to detect.

How do I detect pain in my pet?

When we have pain, we complain. However, animals instinctually hide pain so we generally don't hear a peep out of our pets until the pain is so bad they cannot hide it anymore. So how do you know when your pet’s in pain?

Because our furry friends aren't able to tell us when something is wrong, it's important for you, the owner, to take note of any change in their behavior. Look for any of the following signs they may be your pet's way of saying "I hurt."

  • Being unusually quiet, listless, restless, or unresponsive
  • Whining, whimpering, howling, or constantly meowing
  • Biting
  • Constantly licking or chewing at a particular part of the body
  • Acting funny and out of character, either aggressively or submissively
  • Flattening ears against the head Having trouble sleeping or eating
  • Seeking a lot more affection than usual
  • Unable to get comfortable (constantly changes positions to find the most comfortable position)

Many animals, especially cats, naturally disguise signs of pain to protect themselves from predators. However, the lack of obvious signs does not mean they aren't experiencing pain. If the injury, illness or experience is one that sounds painful to you, go with the assumption that it may also hurt your pet and get to your veterinarian.

What can we do to reduce or eliminate this pain?

  • First and foremost, a comprehensive physical exam is essential. An exam may include lab and blood tests, X-rays, etc. Based on each individual case, we will recommend a treatment protocol. When possible, we'll provide a list of simple things you can do at home to help keep your pet comfortable and to monitor whether their pain level is changing.
  • Watch their diet. Through nutritional consulting, we will carefully monitor your pet's diet to ensure he is not adding unneeded pounds. Maintaining a healthy diet will improve your pet's pain level by managing his weight, regularity and physical health. Depending on your pet's condition, he may need a special diet.
  • There is a variety of pain medications currently available for pets. Aside from pill form, many drugs come in easily administered forms such as liquids, skin patches or gels. There are also new analgesic (pain-reducing) products to help treat your pet after an injurious trauma or to help treat chronic pain.  Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) are often used to treat orthopedic-related pain with very few side effects. There are several other classes of pain medications and it is important that we decide together (pet owner and veterinarian) the best treatment plan for your pet.
  • In addition to pharmaceutical treatment, complementary (or alternative) options are becoming more available. Supplements, Acupuncture, homeopathy, and even cold laser therapy are being practiced on animals. We'll help you decide whether complementary medicine would be beneficial for your pet.

Whether your choice is complementary or traditional medical practices, consider the side effects and the time for each treatment option. We will review with you the costs, benefits and risks of the various treatment options.

As with any medical condition, pain management requires a team effort between us in order to have a happier and healthier companion.

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