Vets are becoming more and more aware of the importance of recognizing and treating not only the obvious, but also the hidden, symptoms of pain in animals. Our veterinarians at Avondale Animal Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama place a high priority on pain management for pet.
Many animals have a natural instinct to hide pain, making it very difficult for owners and even vets to recognize when there are deeper underlying illnesses causing your pet pain. Our veterinary staff are dedicated to keeping your pets in good health and free from pain.
Animals cannot communicate their pain level directly, so paying attention to your pet’s natural tendencies and recognizing when they deviate from them can play a vital role in early diagnosis of illness or diseases. As involved pet owners, it is important to be keen observers. These subtle changes may be your pet’s only way to communicate their need for pain management.
Most pets that experience pain will demonstrate changes in behavior. You may notice they reluctantly climb the stairs or hop into the car. They may become more inactive and withdrawn, no longer interested in activities they once loved. Other symptoms of pain may include:
Lack of or change in appetite; loss of intake or rapid weight loss
Biting, scratching or rubbing of painful areas
Altered behaviors such as restlessness, depression, circling or shiftlessness
Changes in sleeping patterns
Reluctance to move or change positions; reluctance to interact with others
Animal pain falls into two categories: acute and chronic. Acute pain is almost always due to a more obvious trauma or post-surgery. Our staff can offer short-term treatment, issuing higher doses of pain medication to ensure your pet’s comfort in these cases. Chronic pain is typically due to joint disease or displacement, arthritis, chronic skin conditions and chronic internal issues. We are equipped with a variety of treatments for chronic pain, which include but are not limited to: low-dosage pain medications and nutritional guidance. Our goal is to reduce, and hopefully eliminate, your pet’s pain and speed up their recovery to a healthy lifestyle.
Pain Management in Older Pets
Aging pets often suffer from painful conditions which are incorrectly considered as part of “old age”. Painful dental and arthritic conditions may contribute to your pet lying around more. Unfortunately, this isn’t “old age”, but rather pain which can be treated. Proper diagnosis and appropriate treatments can get your pet back on the path to good health and improve their overall quality and length of life. Our pain management protocols for older pets range from natural and medical pain management strategies to laser therapy and nutritional supplements.
Contact our offices at Avondale Animal Hospital with any questions regarding pain management for pets in Birmingham, Alabama.
