Pain Management for Pets
The last thing you want to do is watch your pet suffer from pain. Recently, veterinarians have made significant advancements in developing a greater understanding of how dogs and cats feel pain and how to help with pain management. Though most pets instinctively hide their pain as part of a survival mechanism, vet experts have learned to recognize when a pet is in pain. To learn more about pain management, contact our veterinary staff at Cascade Veterinary Center, PS, in Marysville, WA, to schedule an appointment.
Pet Pain Diagnosis
Pain in pets can manifest from injuries and conditions that are often unpleasant. Pain in humans and pets is a subjective experience and challenging to measure. In most pets, pain can trigger an emotional experience, which can cause the animal to act differently. Assessing a pet is in pain and what is causing it may be difficult, but it is key to helping with your pet's pain management.
Though some injuries are evident in pets, others are not. The signs your pet is in pain and suffering may be subtle, but by carefully observing your pet's behavior, you can notice small changes which may suggest your pet is in pain. Some changes in activity may include reluctantly climbing stairs, slowly jumping in the car, decreased physical activity, or avoiding being touched or picked up.
Other signs your pet is in pain may include:
- Whimpering or making strange sounds
- Being withdrawn or overly quiet
- Becoming anti-social
- Showing uncharacteristic aggression
- Holding ears flat against the head
- Decreased appetite
- Lagging behind on walks
- Limping
- Restlessness
Pet Pain Management
Do not be afraid to ask your vet about pain management and how you can help your pet. For example, you can give your pet some medications, or a veterinarian on our team can start specific treatments. Your pet may also have some other condition causing the pain and treating the condition could help alleviate the pain.
How a Veterinarian on Our Team can Help
One of our veterinarians can help diagnose your pet's pain and what is causing the pain. They can help treat the pain and attempt to keep your pet comfortable through various pain management treatment plans.
Call to Speak with Our Veterinarian Today
If your pet is experiencing pain, call us at (360) 659-2323 Cascade Veterinary Center, PS, in Marysville, WA, to schedule an appointment. Our veterinary staff can help treat your pet and keep it as comfortable as possible.
