Pain management for our pets has changed considerably over the years. We used to assume that our pets had a much higher pain threshold than ourselves. We now understand that they feel pain much like us, they just can’t tell us about it. Dogs may bark, cry, refuse to move or decline food and make it obvious that something is wrong. Cats are more difficult to evaluate. Some of their signs can be lack of grooming, sleeping a lot, reluctance to move, hissing when touched and becoming reclusive.

Effective pain management involves several approaches:

• Start medication early – Pain is much easier to prevent than to get under control after it has begun. We begin pain meds before the patient even goes to surgery.
• Use multiple medications – Pain sensation involves several types of nerve pathways. We routinely use combinations of narcotics, local blocks, tranquilizers and anti-inflammatories.
• Don’t stop medication too soon – Most surgery patients take pain medication for several days at home.

Fortunately, as we continue to gain knowledge about our pet’s reaction to pain we also develop better ways to manage it. These days, pain associated with most medical problems can be managed effectively.