In recent years, veterinarians have made great progress in understanding how pets feel pain and the best ways to relieve their discomfort. Many dogs and cats will instinctively hide their suffering as a survival mechanism, which, in the past, led to incorrect assumptions about their ability to feel pain. Because we now understand more about how pets feel pain, we know how to better recognize and manage it.With obvious injuries or after surgical procedures, we can assume that our patients will experience pain. But there are sources of chronic pain that are not as obvious. That is why your observations of your furry family member are so important.
Signs that your pet may be in pain:
- Reluctance to climb stairs
- Decrease in activity levels
- Resistance to being picked up or held
- Vocalizing or becoming quiet and withdrawn
- Acting aggressive when being approached (as they attempt to protect themselves)
- Licking the painful area
- Stiffness
- Limping
- Difficulty rising from a resting position
- Lagging behind on walks
- Soreness when touched
- Personality changes
A multi-modal plan may include any combination of the following:
- Nutrition
- Nutritional supplements
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications
- Opioids
- Corticosteroids
- Polysulfated glycosaminoglycans
- Neuropathic pain analgesics
- Physical therapy
- Acupuncture
- Stem cell therapy
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