Pain Management
Effective, multimodal pain management
When your pet is in pain, safe, effective relief can significantly improve your pet’s physical comfort, mobility, and overall quality of life. Pets with chronic pain are at increased risk for depression, complications related to loss of appetite, aggression, and other anti-social behaviors, so intervention early on is paramount.
Common causes of pain in pets include arthritis, disc disease, muscle damage, injuries, surgery, or cancer. If your pet has just undergone surgery or suffered an injury, we know they are experiencing pain. Other times, however, dogs and cats will suffer in silence, offering only subtle clues they are uncomfortable.
Signs that your pet may be in pain include a reluctance to use stairs, not wanting to be touched or handled, unusual vocalizations, altered posture, and changes in eating or drinking habits.
Multimodal Pain Relief
At Hope Veterinary Clinic, our priority is to accurately pinpoint the source of your pet’s pain (if it’s unknown) so that we can develop an appropriate treatment plan.
We use a multimodal approach to pain management, which means we combine medications with physical therapies for a well-rounded approach that targets the source of the pain, reduces inflammation, and aids joint repair.
Your veterinarian will fully discuss treatment options and develop a tailored plan based on your pet’s needs. An effective pain relief plan may include a combination of the following therapeutics:
- Veterinary prescription pain relievers, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
- Nutraceuticals that promote joint health, such as glucosamine
- Home modifications/lifestyle changes/weight management
- Physical therapy you can safely provide at home
- Laser therapy for targeted pain relief and to promote tissue repair
It’s important that your pet is monitored regularly during any pain treatment protocol and that you communicate any concerns to your pet’s doctor.
If you suspect your pet may be in pain, please call us to schedule an examination.
HVC East 812-546-4424 | HVC North 812-526-2697 | HVC West 812-342-0263
