Clinton Parkway

Pain Management

Why it’s important to manage your pet’s pain?

Pain management is very important at Clinton Parkway Animal Hospital. Our pain management guidelines will improve the recovery process, whether from illness, surgery or injury. Best of all, because it reduces stress and increases a sense of well being, pain management may even help your furry friend live longer.

Excellent video on pain management in pets

Different kinds of 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 her mobility. The good news is that it’s usually temporary. It generally goes away when the condition that causes it is treated.

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 to know when your pet is hurting?

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 you do to help?

First and foremost, a complete physical examination is essential. This exam may include lab and blood tests, X-rays, etc. We will then recommend a treatment protocol, and answer your questions about things you can do at home to help keep your pet comfortable and to monitor whether her pain level is changing.

Watch for changes in how your pet responds to exercise. If he’s acting sluggish, you may need to reduce his activity or it may mean that chronic pain is developing. His ability to exercise will depend on his health, make sure he has a thorough veterinary physical before he starts a new exercise program.

Watch his diet. 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, such as Hill’s Prescription Diet J/D. It has been clinically proven to reduce pain in over 80% of dogs with arthritis. View successful videos of pets on J/D diet

Treatment choices and considerations

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. Traditionally, steroids have been used for anti-inflammatory purposes and to decrease pain. Although effective, steroids generally aren’t used for prolonged periods, they can have adverse side effects (strictly adhering to your veterinarian’s instructions is important).

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) are often used to treat orthopedic-related pain with fewer side effects. There are several other classes of pain medications and it is important that you talk to your veterinarian about the different medications so that together you can find the best treatment plan for your pet.

It is very important that you do not give your pet any medication without consulting your veterinarian. Certain painkillers, including acetaminophen (found in Tylenol) or combinations of medications can be toxic to pets in very small doses. Consider the side effects and the time for each treatment option. Your veterinarian will be able to tell you about the costs, benefits and risks of the various treatment options.

After surgery

Pain management becomes particularly important after surgeries. When recovering from invasive procedures, animals may be not only in pain, but also weak and disoriented. When you’re finally able to bring home that precious pet of yours after a procedure, the best thing you can do is consistently follow the discharge instructions carefully. If your veterinarian prescribes an analgesic for your pet, give it to him as directed. If any problems should develop, contact your veterinarian immediately.

Have a comfortable, warm bed accessible to help your friend rest. Keep your pet quiet and relaxed so that he has time to heal without further injuring himself. Be attentive and loving. The comfort of your attention and affection may be just what the doctor ordered.

As with any medical condition, your veterinarian is your best ally in identifying and managing your pet’s pain. Pain management requires a team effort in order to have a happier and healthier companion.