Providing Pets with Pain Relief
Whether it's due to injury, surgery, or a chronic condition, managing pain in our pets is essential. By effectively managing pain, your veterinarian can help your pets feel more comfortable in their daily activities and play. Pain management can also speed up the recovery process.
If your pet is in pain, we can help. There are lots of treatment options available. Depending on your pet’s symptoms and medical history, your veterinarian can recommend a care plan. This might include pain medications, physical therapy, acupuncture, or laser therapy.
Signs Your Pet Might Be Feeling Discomfort
Recognizing when your pet is in pain is essential for their well-being because animals often hide their discomfort instinctively. However, there are subtle signs and behaviors that can help you identify if your pet is experiencing pain.
- Changes in Behavior: Pets may become restless, pace, or seem unable to find a comfortable position to rest. On the other hand, some pets in pain become lethargic and less active. Pain may make some pets irritable and more likely to display aggression, particularly when the pained area is touched.
- Appetite Changes: Pets may experience a loss of appetite. Others may be drawn to drink more water than usual when they’re in pain.
- Vocalization: Whining, whimpering, and yelping, especially when moving or touched, could be a sign of pain.
- Mobility Issues: You might notice your pet limping or having difficulty climbing stairs. Pain may also make pets hesitant to engage in activities they typically enjoy, like playing with the family.
- Body Language: Pets might hunch their backs or rest in an unusual position to guard a pained limb. Cats may begin to groom themselves excessively or neglect grooming altogether. Pain may cause pets to breathe more quickly or pant excessively. Sometimes pets who experience pain will avoid interaction or hide from their owners.
More Options for Pain Relief
We offer several options to help manage your pet’s pain. Your veterinarian can help you determine what will work best for your pet, whether it’s pain medication, laser therapy, or acupuncture.
Laser Therapy
Laser therapy is an innovative and non-invasive treatment used to promote healing and reduce pain and inflammation. This therapy employs the use of focused, low-intensity laser beams to stimulate cellular processes at the molecular level, facilitating tissue repair and providing several notable benefits for pets.
The treatment is well-tolerated and is known to increase blood flow, which encourages healing, promotes mobility, and reduces inflammation. Plus, for all its benefits, there are no known side effects of laser therapy, which makes it a great potential treatment option for your pet. Laser therapy may especially be a good option for pets recovering from surgery, undergoing acute wound care, or experiencing arthritis and inflammation.
Acupuncture
Veterinary acupuncture is a holistic and non-invasive treatment. It is primarily used to alleviate pain and discomfort, manage chronic conditions such as arthritis or allergies, and promote overall wellness in pets. By enhancing blood flow, releasing endorphins, and modulating the nervous system, acupuncture helps animals experience relief and often complements traditional veterinary treatments.
In 2023, Dr. Lawther completed her veterinary acupuncture training at Chi University in Reddick, Florida, and will now be offering this service to clients of Kroner Animal Care and The Plains Veterinary Hospital. This will give our doctors yet another tool to utilize in providing the best possible care plan for each patient.
Acupuncture has been in existence in some form for thousands of years, with references to its use in both humans and animals. It originated in China and continues to be used there and across the globe. Modern research supports the efficacy of acupuncture in treating a variety of medical conditions, such as acute and chronic pain, neurodegenerative conditions, arthritis, old-age weakness, and intervertebral disc disease. Many other conditions may also benefit from the use of acupuncture as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.
Acupuncture uses very small sterile needles to stimulate special areas called acupoints on the body, therefore, it is generally comfortable, safe, and well-tolerated by patients. Schedule a consultation to see if acupuncture may be right for your pet!
Pain management is not just about alleviating discomfort; it's about improving the overall quality of life of your pet. The compassion and dedication of your veterinarian, coupled with advances in pain management techniques, ensure that your pets receive the care and relief they deserve.
We’re here to help your pet feel better, so give us a call today.