When a Kiss Won’t Cut it: A Spotlight on Pet Pain Management

When it comes to pet pain management, veterinary medicine has made tremendous strides in the past century. It’s now common knowledge that pets feel pain in much the same way as humans and that chronic pain can impair the healing process by interfering with immune function, decreasing appetite, and increasing anxiety.

Improving the quality and longevity of our patients’ lives is one of our top priorities. Let’s take a moment to focus on a pet’s pain and the various ways we can help manage it.

Recognizing Pet Pain

Recognizing signs of pain in pets is crucial for their care and comfort. Our pets can’t verbally communicate their discomfort, so it’s up to us as owners to observe and interpret changes in their behavior. Common signs that your pet might be in pain include:  

• Sudden limping
• Pacing
• Crying out or growling
• Excessive licking
• Loss of appetite
• Lack of grooming
• Lethargy or decreased activity

Management Strategies

At Lone Tree Veterinary Medical Center, we offer different pain management strategies for pets depending on what is causing the pet to be in pain. This will be determined by our veterinarian after examining the pet and evaluating any diagnostic test results, if needed.

Medications

Pet pain management medications can play an important role in reducing pain. And with the guidance of your veterinarian, be stopped if no longer needed. Not all pain medications work in the same way. Your veterinarian will prescribe the one best suited for your pet’s needs. It is important to note that you should never give your pet human pain medication, as these medications are highly toxic to pets and can cause fatal reactions.  

Physical Therapy Exercises

Physical therapy exercises can help a pet feel better, especially, after a surgery where regaining strength, range of motion, and mobility is the goal.

Weight Management

Being overweight often compounds a pet’s pain. Additional pounds place excessive pressure on joints and the supporting ligaments and tendons. This can lead to arthritis and other problems that cause pain. Maintaining a healthy weight through proper diet and regular exercise can help prevent this type of pain.

Diet and Nutrition

Ensuring your pet is on the right diet for its age, health status, and nutritional needs can help manage or prevent painful conditions. specially formulate prescription diets to address various health issues, including joint and mobility problems, weight management, allergies, dental health, and urinary or kidney function.

Cold Laser Therapy

Cold laser therapy is effective method for reducing pain and promoting healing. This noninvasive, pain-free technique uses a hand-held device that emits a focused beam of high-energy light (photons) to a targeted area. The photons stimulate cell regeneration, increase blood circulation, and reduce inflammation, all of which contribute to pain relief and faster healing. Cold laser therapy can improve the following conditions:

• Wounds, hot spots, and other skin infections
• Soft tissue injuries
• Post-surgical healing
• Arthritis, hip dysplasia, degenerative joint disease
• Sprains and strains
• Muscle, tendon, or ligament injuries
• Chronic ear infections
• Dental conditions

Final Thoughts on Pet Pain

We often recommend a multi-modal approach (using more than one strategy at a time) to provide your pet with maximum relief. Our veterinarians will work with you to determine the treatment plan that’s right for your pet.

The team at Lone Tree Veterinary Medical Center is always here to help.