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Currently being edited! (February 2026)Understanding Your Pet's Pain- Because It's Not Always What You See.
Pain doesn't always go away when the injury heals. Sometimes, it lingers -quietly, invisibly- shaping how your pet moves, behaves, and he discomfort. Older pets often develop aches they’ve mastered concealing. Our domestic animals still carry their wild instincts — and hiding pain is one of them. And sometimes, even when we know our pets better than anyone… we still miss the signs. Pain, fear, and stress are deeply connected. They can:
🐾 Why Pain Can Stick Around — Even After Healing. Sometimes, the original cause of pain (like a torn ligament, urinary tract issue, or surgery) is treated — but your pet still hurts. Why? 👉 The nervous system remembers pain. Even after the body heals, the brain and nerves can keep sending “pain signals” — like a broken alarm that won’t turn off. 👉 Pain spreads — even to healthy areas. If your pet hurts in one spot (say, a sore knee), they’ll change how they move — limping, favoring one side, or avoiding certain motions. That can strain muscles, ligaments, or joints elsewhere. Example: A dog with a sore hip may shift weight to the front legs — leading to shoulder or elbow strain. What started as one problem becomes many. This is why early, proactive pain management matters — not just for comfort, but to prevent long-term damage. 💊 The Best Way to Help? A Team Approach Chronic pain rarely responds to one fix. A multi-modal plan — combining:
You’re the most important part of this team. Your observations, daily care, and partnership with your vet make all the difference. ⏱️ No Time to Read? Watch This Instead.👉 5 Tips to Help Your Pet at Home — courtesy of Dr. Roark, veterinarian and comedian. (Quick, practical, and even a little funny — because we all need that.) 
Read on!
1. Recognizing Pain Understanding your dog or cat: The Indoor Pet Initiative Be a Cat Champion: Cat Friendly Home 2. Comfort Management at home 3. Weight 4. Exercise 5. Supplements 6. Heat & Cold Therapy 7. Manual and Complementary Therapies: Laser, Acupuncture, Massage, PT and more. 8. Medication Help me medicate my cat! Tips for your veterinarian and you. |
1. Recognizing Pain
Animals don’t cry out like we do. They don’t say “it hurts.”
They hide pain — it’s a survival instinct, passed down from their wild ancestors.
And because chronic pain develops slowly, we often don’t notice until it’s advanced — sometimes years after it began.
❗ The real question isn’t:
“Is my pet still doing things?”
It’s:
“How is my pet doing them?”
A dog that no longer leaps for the doorbell.
A cat that pees outside the litter box.
A pet that’s quicker to bite, scratch, or hide.
A sudden change in grooming, sleep, or appetite.
These aren’t “bad behavior” — they’re pain signals.
Click on the video and image to learn the signals your cat may be giving you:
Animals don’t cry out like we do. They don’t say “it hurts.”
They hide pain — it’s a survival instinct, passed down from their wild ancestors.
And because chronic pain develops slowly, we often don’t notice until it’s advanced — sometimes years after it began.
❗ The real question isn’t:
“Is my pet still doing things?”
It’s:
“How is my pet doing them?”
A dog that no longer leaps for the doorbell.
A cat that pees outside the litter box.
A pet that’s quicker to bite, scratch, or hide.
A sudden change in grooming, sleep, or appetite.
These aren’t “bad behavior” — they’re pain signals.
Click on the video and image to learn the signals your cat may be giving you:
The Feline Grimace Scale (website. App Available for Android and iPhone)
📊 The Science Behind the Silence
It looks like quiet withdrawal.
It looks like “just getting older.”
It looks like a pet who’s “fine” — until they’re not.
To recognize what is abnormal in animals, consider what is normal. You might be surprised by how different every species experiences the same environment. Check out the Indoor Pet Initiative for some cool things that go on in your pet's brain and how you can help.
💡 What You Can Do — Starting Today
You don’t need to be a vet to spot pain. You just need to watch closely, ask different questions, and trust your gut.
📝 Watch for These Subtle Signs:
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- More than half of cats over 6 years old show signs of joint pain.
- Some dogs as young as 1 year old show early arthritis.
- A 2012 study found 90% of cats over 12 had arthritis on X-rays — even if they showed no obvious signs.
It looks like quiet withdrawal.
It looks like “just getting older.”
It looks like a pet who’s “fine” — until they’re not.
To recognize what is abnormal in animals, consider what is normal. You might be surprised by how different every species experiences the same environment. Check out the Indoor Pet Initiative for some cool things that go on in your pet's brain and how you can help.
💡 What You Can Do — Starting Today
You don’t need to be a vet to spot pain. You just need to watch closely, ask different questions, and trust your gut.
📝 Watch for These Subtle Signs:
- Less playful or social
- Avoiding stairs, jumping, or getting up
- Licking or chewing a specific area
- Changes in sleep, appetite, or grooming
- “Grumpy” behavior or hiding
- Using the litter box less — or not at all
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2. Management at home
Pain— it changes how your pet moves, rests, and lives.
Hardwood floors feel like ice. Deep beds feel like trampolines. Litter boxes with high sides? Impossible to climb.
And when your pet can’t use their body or environment the way they want — it doesn’t just cause pain. It causes stress, anxiety, and behavioral changes — like peeing outside the box, overgrooming, or refusing nail trims.
🛠️ Simple, Low-Cost Changes That Make a Big DifferenceYou don’t need to remodel your home — just tweak it. Many of these tips work for both dogs and cats.
🧱 1. Improve Traction on Slippery Floors
🍽️ 2. Raise Food & Water Bowls
🛏️ 3. Make Beds & Cars Accessible
🐕 4. Use a Harness for Support
🐱 5. Litter Box Makeover — Low Entry, High Comfort
✂️ 7. Nail & Paw Care — Prevent Strain, Not Just Trim
💡 Why This MattersYou’re not just making your home “pet-friendly” — you’re making it pain-friendly.
Small changes = big reductions in stress, strain, and suffering.
And when your pet feels safer and more comfortable — they’re more likely to eat, play, rest, and trust you
Back to Table of Contents
Pain— it changes how your pet moves, rests, and lives.
Hardwood floors feel like ice. Deep beds feel like trampolines. Litter boxes with high sides? Impossible to climb.
And when your pet can’t use their body or environment the way they want — it doesn’t just cause pain. It causes stress, anxiety, and behavioral changes — like peeing outside the box, overgrooming, or refusing nail trims.
🛠️ Simple, Low-Cost Changes That Make a Big DifferenceYou don’t need to remodel your home — just tweak it. Many of these tips work for both dogs and cats.
🧱 1. Improve Traction on Slippery Floors
- Place area rugs or runners on hardwood, tile, or laminate.
- Use yoga mats under food bowls or in high-traffic zones — they’re cheap, grippy, and easy to clean.
- Rubber nail covers (like Soft Paws or Paw Friction) can help dogs grip slippery floors — ask your groomer or vet for recommendations.
🍽️ 2. Raise Food & Water Bowls
- Elevate bowls to shoulder height to reduce strain on neck, front legs, and spine.
- Add a non-slip mat or standing pad under bowls for stability.
- Tip: Cats often prefer shallow, wide bowls — avoid deep ones that require them to bend down.
🛏️ 3. Make Beds & Cars Accessible
- Use steps or ramps to help pets get onto beds, couches, or into cars.
- Choose memory foam beds — firm at first, they soften with body heat for customized support.
- Help your pet out of the bed onto stable ground if they struggle — don’t let them “sink” and then struggle to get up.
🐕 4. Use a Harness for Support
- A harness (like Help’em Up) can support hind or front legs during walks, stairs, or getting up.
- Great for dogs with arthritis, weakness, or post-surgery recovery.
- Bonus: Many harnesses double as mobility aids — not just for lifting.
🐱 5. Litter Box Makeover — Low Entry, High Comfort
- Get a large, uncovered box with a low step — or cut a lower entrance into a high-walled one for cats who can't/won't squat. Cats need to be able to comfortably spin inside the box, hard to do in a small box if your spine is stiff. Under-the-bed plastic containers work great — low, wide, and easy to turn in.
- Place boxes in your cat’s “core area” (where they spend 50–75% of their time) — no stairs, no long walks to the bathroom.
- Self-heating pads (non-electric) are safest — especially for older or cognitively impaired pets.
- Look for pet-specific designs — they’re durable, claw-resistant, and safe for wet fur.
- Sheepskin rugs (real or faux) are great non-electric options — IKEA has both.
- Avoid electric heating pads for pets with dementia, blindness, or poor mobility — they may not feel heat or move away in time.
- Even low-temp mats can cause burns in pets with poor circulation.
✂️ 7. Nail & Paw Care — Prevent Strain, Not Just Trim
- Keep nails short — long nails catch on carpet, yank joints, and make balancing harder.
- Trim hair between paw pads — bare pads grip better on slippery floors.
- If your pet suddenly growls or resists during nail trims — it may be pain-related. Don’t force it — ask your vet or groomer for help.
- Help your pet get traction : Soft Paws and Paw Friction are popular options.
💡 Why This MattersYou’re not just making your home “pet-friendly” — you’re making it pain-friendly.
Small changes = big reductions in stress, strain, and suffering.
And when your pet feels safer and more comfortable — they’re more likely to eat, play, rest, and trust you
Back to Table of Contents
3. Weight management and nutrition
A study showed that an obese person is 100% more likely to have chronic pain than a lean person. Overweight pets have a shorter span (average of two years less, according to a study on overweight Labradors). Quality of life is greatly affected by weight and many overweight pets are euthanized due to their inability to stand or walk comfortably, or because they are having accidents in the house as going outdoors or squatting becomes too painful, in spite of being otherwise relatively healthy. Being strict about caloric intake is one of the most important things you can do as a pet parent. Start before the pain shows up. If your pet becomes overweight, recognize the urgency in getting him or her back to a healthy weight. Every excess pound (or ounce in small animals) your pet carries exponentially increases pain. Proper nutrition is also of great importance: building blocks needed for maximizing healing and minimizing damage to our cells come from a proper diet. Diets may need to be customized to a animal's specific health needs. Food labels can be VERY confusing (see my blog!) Weight loss can be difficult for pets who have arthritis so medication, supplements and physical therapies have to come into play to manage pain.
A study showed that an obese person is 100% more likely to have chronic pain than a lean person. Overweight pets have a shorter span (average of two years less, according to a study on overweight Labradors). Quality of life is greatly affected by weight and many overweight pets are euthanized due to their inability to stand or walk comfortably, or because they are having accidents in the house as going outdoors or squatting becomes too painful, in spite of being otherwise relatively healthy. Being strict about caloric intake is one of the most important things you can do as a pet parent. Start before the pain shows up. If your pet becomes overweight, recognize the urgency in getting him or her back to a healthy weight. Every excess pound (or ounce in small animals) your pet carries exponentially increases pain. Proper nutrition is also of great importance: building blocks needed for maximizing healing and minimizing damage to our cells come from a proper diet. Diets may need to be customized to a animal's specific health needs. Food labels can be VERY confusing (see my blog!) Weight loss can be difficult for pets who have arthritis so medication, supplements and physical therapies have to come into play to manage pain.
4. Exercise
Proper exercise, such as a series of short walks or passive range of motion exercises while s/he is resting or as part of play is a very important part of musculoskeletal pain management. I see people dragging their old pets by their leash- would you drag your dear grandpa down the street if he couldn’t keep up with you? If you need to run errands, leave your old friend at home, then take a bit of down time for yourself and use your pet's exercise time to recharge your mind and get some fresh air (ok ,ok, check Facebook on your phone). Time your walks so your dog doesn't get tired before getting back home. Note the signs of your dog getting tired on a walk (increased up and down motion of the head, nails dragging more, stopping and laying down ). Know your pet’s limit and make sure get home before it is reached. Your cat's shaky legs while squatting in the litter box, or missing the litter box entirely can be signs of discomfort. Exercise relieves stiffness and increases/maintains mobility but make sure you provide it without causing pain or exhaustion.
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Proper exercise, such as a series of short walks or passive range of motion exercises while s/he is resting or as part of play is a very important part of musculoskeletal pain management. I see people dragging their old pets by their leash- would you drag your dear grandpa down the street if he couldn’t keep up with you? If you need to run errands, leave your old friend at home, then take a bit of down time for yourself and use your pet's exercise time to recharge your mind and get some fresh air (ok ,ok, check Facebook on your phone). Time your walks so your dog doesn't get tired before getting back home. Note the signs of your dog getting tired on a walk (increased up and down motion of the head, nails dragging more, stopping and laying down ). Know your pet’s limit and make sure get home before it is reached. Your cat's shaky legs while squatting in the litter box, or missing the litter box entirely can be signs of discomfort. Exercise relieves stiffness and increases/maintains mobility but make sure you provide it without causing pain or exhaustion.
Back to Table of Contents
5. Supplements
There are many different types of supplements that have been used to ease inflammation (arthritis defined as inflammation of the joint.) Supplements tend to have less side effects than many pharmaceuticals (drugs) and can also be most helpful in decreasing the dose of medications. That said, most supplements lack good evidence of efficacy and much of their popularity is based on personal experience and reports for peers and clients. Glucosamine, usually combined with chondroitin and avocado/soy unsaponifiables, is a go to supplement for animals. Omega III Fatty Acids ("EPA" and "DHA" found in fish oils as dogs and cats cannot utilize the omega III FAs in flax seed the way humans can), are thought to possibly decrease inflammation at higher doses. Dried milk protein, and curcumin (the ingredient in the spice turmeric) are believed to have anti inflammatory properties as does green lipped mussel extract, whose benefits are probably from its content of omega III FAs. Arnica and so many other supplements are available to minimize inflammation. Ask your vet about what they think of supplements. Often, by the time we see signs of pain, the focus is on more evidence based therapeutics and proper nutrition but certain supplements can play a role in supportive care.
There are many different types of supplements that have been used to ease inflammation (arthritis defined as inflammation of the joint.) Supplements tend to have less side effects than many pharmaceuticals (drugs) and can also be most helpful in decreasing the dose of medications. That said, most supplements lack good evidence of efficacy and much of their popularity is based on personal experience and reports for peers and clients. Glucosamine, usually combined with chondroitin and avocado/soy unsaponifiables, is a go to supplement for animals. Omega III Fatty Acids ("EPA" and "DHA" found in fish oils as dogs and cats cannot utilize the omega III FAs in flax seed the way humans can), are thought to possibly decrease inflammation at higher doses. Dried milk protein, and curcumin (the ingredient in the spice turmeric) are believed to have anti inflammatory properties as does green lipped mussel extract, whose benefits are probably from its content of omega III FAs. Arnica and so many other supplements are available to minimize inflammation. Ask your vet about what they think of supplements. Often, by the time we see signs of pain, the focus is on more evidence based therapeutics and proper nutrition but certain supplements can play a role in supportive care.
6. Heat & Cold Therapy
How relaxing is that lavender filled, microwavable rice pack on your sore neck muscles or the coolness of that bag of frozen peas on a sore knee ? Animals benefit from these simple home therapies as well and often will let you know if cool or warmth feels good (or not). A recommended use for this type of therapy is 15 minutes on, 15 minutes off for about one hour. Be careful with both temperature- you don't want to cause burns or cold damage by placing items directly on bare skin (or over thinning fur.) Elderly pets with thin fur can have compromised capabilities to compensate and their skin can be injured more easily than the skin of youngsters and there are other conditions that can affect your pet's body to tolerate direct temperature therapy. Do not leave a pet unattended with these therapies, especially ones that may have difficulty moving away or communicating discomfort from heat or cold, such as an animals that sleep very soundly, are sedate from side effects of medication, are recovering from surgery and not fully "aware" or have neurological impairment.
Check with your veterinary professional for recommendations of these therapies.
MAKING YOUR OWN:
How relaxing is that lavender filled, microwavable rice pack on your sore neck muscles or the coolness of that bag of frozen peas on a sore knee ? Animals benefit from these simple home therapies as well and often will let you know if cool or warmth feels good (or not). A recommended use for this type of therapy is 15 minutes on, 15 minutes off for about one hour. Be careful with both temperature- you don't want to cause burns or cold damage by placing items directly on bare skin (or over thinning fur.) Elderly pets with thin fur can have compromised capabilities to compensate and their skin can be injured more easily than the skin of youngsters and there are other conditions that can affect your pet's body to tolerate direct temperature therapy. Do not leave a pet unattended with these therapies, especially ones that may have difficulty moving away or communicating discomfort from heat or cold, such as an animals that sleep very soundly, are sedate from side effects of medication, are recovering from surgery and not fully "aware" or have neurological impairment.
Check with your veterinary professional for recommendations of these therapies.
MAKING YOUR OWN:
- Heat pack: fill a sock or cloth sleeve with uncooked rice or flax seed, allowing room for the material to conform to body parts. Sew the sock shut. I would recommend using natural material (cotton) which may be more microwaveable safe and not release weird odors. Always mix after heating and test it on yourself before you place it on your pet.
- Cold pack: In a plastic freezer bag of whichever size you prefer, use a 2:1 water to isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol mixture (purchased at any drug store.) Evacuate as much of the air from the bag before closing it, it makes the liquid better able to conform around body parts. Place it in a second bag to contain any leaks, also evacuating air. Freeze for at least an hour. Be cautious, this gets very, very cold so wrap the bag in a T-shirt and make sure to lift the bag away from bare skin every couple of minutes. This is especially important in sedate or compromised pets such as the elderly or underweight, and especially in small pets that can get hypothermic (cold) quickly.
7. Manual and Complementary Therapies: Acupuncture, Massage, PT and more.
Complementary therapy is used to describe therapies that are outside of the general health care and pharmaceuticals (medication) a pet receives from their primary care vet. Diet, exercise and good nutrition are all complementary and yet very basic and important therapies regular veterinarians often discuss. Other therapies may require additional training or certification by your vet or animal care professional. Manual therapies include all sorts of hands on therapies that help achieve the goal to maximize mobility and function (like PT!)
Acupuncture is a form of therapy where special needles are used on skin to alter nerve signals and on a cellular level, release natural chemicals that call upon the body's own ability for healing. Like any other therapy, some pets respond better than others and there are many factors that can dictate the level of success of acupuncture such as condition, patient temperament, concurrent drug therapies, and individual practitioner technique. One of the benefits of acupuncture is that it doesn't force or bypass the body’s safety mechanisms like drugs can. Acupuncture is one of many alternative therapies available to pets.
Myofascial trigger point therapy uses fingers and/or acupuncture needles to release localized muscle spasm- relieving pain and improving flexibility and range of motion of joints. Many acupuncturist, massage and rehab professionals can address trigger points.
Massage therapy is something you can learn how to do to a certain degree, and there are also animal professionals trained in animal massage therapists. Dogs with hind leg pain are often sore in their shoulders from having to balance weight off their hind ends. Massage, like heat, can improve blood flow and loosen a tight and painful muscle. Be aware that massage done too often, too hard or in the wrong manner can cause injury! Consult a professional and have them teach you the things that are appropriate to do at home.
Cold Laser Therapy is another popular treatment, where light is used to stimulate blood flow and mitochondrial activity, to improve mobility, decrease pain and inflammation at site of both acute (such as a wound or torn ligament) and chronic (such as arthritis.) injury. There are different classes of cold laser with the most effective being a Class IV, especially in larger pets.
Rehabilitation Therapy. Have you ever torn your rotator cuff? Injured an ACL? Did you get PT? Rehab therapy is crucial to maximizing proper healing: minimizing the chances that an acute injury becomes a chronic one or to minimize the pain of a chronic injury. Pets are in luck: physical therapy exists for them too. It is an often overlooked part of pain management. Regaining the ability to use the body can decrease your pet’s dependency for medication. If you cannot afford the time or expense to pursue regular therapy for your pet, consider at least getting a consult with a certified animal rehab therapist, trained specifically for canine and feline musculoskeletal therapy, and be truthful: ask what you could do at home if you can't go into therapy regularly. Controlled water exercise is part of rehab therapy and often a great way to lighten the load on painful joints while giving muscles a way to work out gently- ask for suggestions on the proper way to exercise your pet based on the specific condition. Treadmill therapy can be gentler and less likely to cause injury than uncontrolled swimming. It is important to have a trained therapist determine which type of water exercise is best for your pet's specific issues. Simple range of motion exercises can be of great help to prevent joints and muscles from stiffening up from disuse. Even simple and gentle exercise can be overdone, however, so it is important to have a professional help you determine the level appropriate for your pet.
Chiropractics is another modality for chronic pain. Some techniques used in people can cause trauma to our veterinary patient so make sure you seek the service of practitioners certified in veterinary care or one that works directly with your vet. Laws and regulations vary by state as to who is allowed to work on animals if the practitioner is not a veterinarian.
Naturopathy, homeopathy, herbal medicine and food therapy are available for animals as well. An acupuncturist trained through Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) may in some cases also offer TCM herb and nutrition therapy.
Shock Wave therapy, officially extracorporeal shock wave therapy ( ESWT), uses high energy sound waves to heal injuries and/or relieve pain. It is very popular in equine medicine but becoming more popular in small animals. Sedation/anesthesia is necessary for animals to receive this treatment as it is otherwise not tolerated by our animal patients.
There are developing medical therapies such as stem cell injections for injured ligaments, platelet rich plasma for arthritic joints and Nerve Growth Factor antibody therapy (available for cats!!! ).
These are the most popular therapies, and there are more out there!
Back to Table of Contents i
Complementary therapy is used to describe therapies that are outside of the general health care and pharmaceuticals (medication) a pet receives from their primary care vet. Diet, exercise and good nutrition are all complementary and yet very basic and important therapies regular veterinarians often discuss. Other therapies may require additional training or certification by your vet or animal care professional. Manual therapies include all sorts of hands on therapies that help achieve the goal to maximize mobility and function (like PT!)
Acupuncture is a form of therapy where special needles are used on skin to alter nerve signals and on a cellular level, release natural chemicals that call upon the body's own ability for healing. Like any other therapy, some pets respond better than others and there are many factors that can dictate the level of success of acupuncture such as condition, patient temperament, concurrent drug therapies, and individual practitioner technique. One of the benefits of acupuncture is that it doesn't force or bypass the body’s safety mechanisms like drugs can. Acupuncture is one of many alternative therapies available to pets.
Myofascial trigger point therapy uses fingers and/or acupuncture needles to release localized muscle spasm- relieving pain and improving flexibility and range of motion of joints. Many acupuncturist, massage and rehab professionals can address trigger points.
Massage therapy is something you can learn how to do to a certain degree, and there are also animal professionals trained in animal massage therapists. Dogs with hind leg pain are often sore in their shoulders from having to balance weight off their hind ends. Massage, like heat, can improve blood flow and loosen a tight and painful muscle. Be aware that massage done too often, too hard or in the wrong manner can cause injury! Consult a professional and have them teach you the things that are appropriate to do at home.
Cold Laser Therapy is another popular treatment, where light is used to stimulate blood flow and mitochondrial activity, to improve mobility, decrease pain and inflammation at site of both acute (such as a wound or torn ligament) and chronic (such as arthritis.) injury. There are different classes of cold laser with the most effective being a Class IV, especially in larger pets.
Rehabilitation Therapy. Have you ever torn your rotator cuff? Injured an ACL? Did you get PT? Rehab therapy is crucial to maximizing proper healing: minimizing the chances that an acute injury becomes a chronic one or to minimize the pain of a chronic injury. Pets are in luck: physical therapy exists for them too. It is an often overlooked part of pain management. Regaining the ability to use the body can decrease your pet’s dependency for medication. If you cannot afford the time or expense to pursue regular therapy for your pet, consider at least getting a consult with a certified animal rehab therapist, trained specifically for canine and feline musculoskeletal therapy, and be truthful: ask what you could do at home if you can't go into therapy regularly. Controlled water exercise is part of rehab therapy and often a great way to lighten the load on painful joints while giving muscles a way to work out gently- ask for suggestions on the proper way to exercise your pet based on the specific condition. Treadmill therapy can be gentler and less likely to cause injury than uncontrolled swimming. It is important to have a trained therapist determine which type of water exercise is best for your pet's specific issues. Simple range of motion exercises can be of great help to prevent joints and muscles from stiffening up from disuse. Even simple and gentle exercise can be overdone, however, so it is important to have a professional help you determine the level appropriate for your pet.
Chiropractics is another modality for chronic pain. Some techniques used in people can cause trauma to our veterinary patient so make sure you seek the service of practitioners certified in veterinary care or one that works directly with your vet. Laws and regulations vary by state as to who is allowed to work on animals if the practitioner is not a veterinarian.
Naturopathy, homeopathy, herbal medicine and food therapy are available for animals as well. An acupuncturist trained through Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) may in some cases also offer TCM herb and nutrition therapy.
Shock Wave therapy, officially extracorporeal shock wave therapy ( ESWT), uses high energy sound waves to heal injuries and/or relieve pain. It is very popular in equine medicine but becoming more popular in small animals. Sedation/anesthesia is necessary for animals to receive this treatment as it is otherwise not tolerated by our animal patients.
There are developing medical therapies such as stem cell injections for injured ligaments, platelet rich plasma for arthritic joints and Nerve Growth Factor antibody therapy (available for cats!!! ).
These are the most popular therapies, and there are more out there!
Back to Table of Contents i
8. Medication
Pain is a complex process involving the site of injury (affected tissue) and signals to and from the nerves through the spinal cord to the brain. Different drugs target different sources and different types of pain. There isn't one magic pill. Medical management of chronic pain involves a "multi-modal" approach for many factors, including how the brain perceives chronic pain and how the pain signal is transmitted through the spinal cord. Often it is finding the combination of therapies that works best for YOUR pet. Vets may use a combination of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory analgesics/drugs (NSAIDs), "pain killers"-analgesics that don't have anti-inflammatory properties, such as opioids, medications that affect the way the nerves signal, like gabapentin, and/or drugs that provide the body with building blocks for healthy joints like Adequan. There are even certain antidepressants that can aid to relieve pain. Some of the drug choices your vet makes will depend on what your pet's body can handle. There are side effects to all drugs and your vet has to figure out the best combination while balancing the safety of those drugs. Your vet will make an informed decision with the aid of regular exams, blood work and your feedback. We are really excited that Solensia has finally been approved in the US for pain caused by osteoarthritis in cats. This injectable drug administered at the vet clinic uses monoclonal antibody (mAb) technology to prevent communication by pain receptors, resulting in decreased pain sensation. The recommendations is for once a month injections and we often will start with two treatments to evaluate how effective that modality is for an individual patient. A similar therapy, Librela, has just recently been approved for dogs. As with any drug, the risk of side effects are always possible and sometimes not predictable, so you should discuss whether your pet is a candidate for certain therapies or not, keeping in mind that there may be health conditions that are unknown due to lack of recognizable symptoms or lack of diagnostics.
Always " Check with your vet", especially before administering new supplements, adding or switching medications.
Back to Table of Contents
Pain is a complex process involving the site of injury (affected tissue) and signals to and from the nerves through the spinal cord to the brain. Different drugs target different sources and different types of pain. There isn't one magic pill. Medical management of chronic pain involves a "multi-modal" approach for many factors, including how the brain perceives chronic pain and how the pain signal is transmitted through the spinal cord. Often it is finding the combination of therapies that works best for YOUR pet. Vets may use a combination of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory analgesics/drugs (NSAIDs), "pain killers"-analgesics that don't have anti-inflammatory properties, such as opioids, medications that affect the way the nerves signal, like gabapentin, and/or drugs that provide the body with building blocks for healthy joints like Adequan. There are even certain antidepressants that can aid to relieve pain. Some of the drug choices your vet makes will depend on what your pet's body can handle. There are side effects to all drugs and your vet has to figure out the best combination while balancing the safety of those drugs. Your vet will make an informed decision with the aid of regular exams, blood work and your feedback. We are really excited that Solensia has finally been approved in the US for pain caused by osteoarthritis in cats. This injectable drug administered at the vet clinic uses monoclonal antibody (mAb) technology to prevent communication by pain receptors, resulting in decreased pain sensation. The recommendations is for once a month injections and we often will start with two treatments to evaluate how effective that modality is for an individual patient. A similar therapy, Librela, has just recently been approved for dogs. As with any drug, the risk of side effects are always possible and sometimes not predictable, so you should discuss whether your pet is a candidate for certain therapies or not, keeping in mind that there may be health conditions that are unknown due to lack of recognizable symptoms or lack of diagnostics.
Always " Check with your vet", especially before administering new supplements, adding or switching medications.
Back to Table of Contents