Signs of Pain in Dogs and Cats
Some animals will hide their pain. In the wild, animals that appear sick or injured are much more vulnerable to predators. For this reason, our pets (especially our cats) often disguise pain and hide the signs from their families, sometimes for long periods of time.
As a pet owner, you are in the best position to notice subtle changes. We can help you determine whether those changes indicate your pet is in pain. The sooner your pet’s pain is diagnosed and treated, the sooner they can heal and resume a normal, happy life.
Some signs to look for include:
- Reluctance to jump or a change in jumping
- Changes in overall mobility
- Change of sleeping position, difficulty getting comfortable
- Difficulty using litter box
- Lack of grooming or licking obsessively at the same spot
- Limping
- Difficulty getting up or lying down
- Restlessness
- Trembling
Why Choose CARE Pet Therapy Center for Pet Pain Management?
No single medication or method is effective in all pain situations, and most veterinarians lack the training and the time to research different modalities and medications to increase comfort for our pets. Far too often we see pets given only non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs), or doses of other pain medications in combinations and dosages inadequate to achieve optimal pain control.
The inability to communicate in no way negates the possibility that an individual is experiencing pain and is in need of appropriate pain-relieving treatment.
Here at CARE Pet Therapy Center, our Pain Management team members devote hundreds of hours of advanced training to recognize and treat pain in dogs and cats. Our approach is to address pain by incorporating multiple modalities: medications, supplements, herbal therapies, physical rehabilitation, acupuncture, myofascial trigger point therapy, and other treatments.
The primary professionals on our team, Dr. Polly Fleckenstein and Lis Conarton, LVT, consistently receive the most advanced formal training in veterinary pain management and complementary modalities. This makes them uniquely qualified to assist your pet. They are both Certified Veterinary Pain Practitioners (CVPP) through the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management.
Services they can provide include:
- Advanced medication therapy
- "Pain holidays"
- Geriatric assessment and care
- Myofascial Trigger Point therapy
- Acupuncture
- Laser therapy
We will work with you to find a program that is manageable for you, and effective for your pet. The CARE team will collaborate with your primary care veterinarian and our team of specialists at VMC to ensure that we consider any existing diseases or conditions your pet may have.