Pain Management and Arthritis
Although we have no way to get inside an animal’s head to understand exactly what they feel and think, we know that dogs’ and cats’ nervous systems are similar enough to our own that they do experience pain in a similar way to people. Everyone knows that living with chronic pain can significantly reduce one’s quality of life.
Whether your pet has arthritis or suffers from chronic pain for another reason, our veterinarians at Bramalea Animal Hospital can help you help your pet find relief.
Signs Your Pet Is in Pain
Dogs and cats instinctively try to mask outward signs that they are in pain or ill. As a result, pet owners need to pay close attention to their pets because the signs of pain can be very subtle, especially early on.
The following signs could indicate that your pet is in pain:
- Appetite loss
- Changes in posture or gait
- Difficulty getting up or laying down
- Dilating pupils or confused, cloudy-looking eyes
- Disinterest in play
- Ears back or pressed against the head
- Excessive purring or panting at rest
- Excessive vocalization
- Lethargy
- Limping or limb favouring
- Not wanting to be touched
- Persistently biting, chewing, or licking a limb
- Shivering or trembling
- Social isolation
- Unusual aggression
- Whimpering or yelping
If you notice any unusual behaviours or changes in your pet, we encourage you to schedule an appointment right away.
A Variety of Approaches to Chronic Pet Pain Management
We offer a combination of approaches to pain management for our patients, and our veterinarians will work with you to determine the pain management plan that works best for your pet.
Nutritional Counselling
Through a combination of weight management and dietary supplementation with mindfully selected nutritional supplements, our veterinarians can help naturally reduce the pain your pet experiences.
Therapy
We can offer referrals to rehabilitation facilities to help deal with your pets’ pain. They offer a variety of techniques, such as hydrotherapy, laser therapy, and more.
Prescription Medications
We can recommend a safe regimen of pain medications.
Discover Your Pet's Personalized Pain Management Plan at Bramalea Animal Hospital
Depending on the underlying condition causing your pet’s pain and the potential factors that could be exacerbating their symptoms, our veterinarians will recommend a personalized treatment plan to address your pet’s pain and help them find safe and effective long-term relief.
To learn more, schedule a pet pain management appointment with our clinic.
