Providing Pain Relief for Dogs & Cats
Keeping pets comfortable whether they are recovering from surgeries or living with a chronic condition at home is one of our highest priorities. Pain can have a debilitating effect on our four-legged best friends, from limiting their appetite to making them lose interest in the activities they used to love. It can also make vet visits more stressful!
Our AAHA-accredited animal hospitals in Dundee, Elgin, and Algonquin are conscious of the impact pain can have on pets and do everything possible to provide pain relief for dogs & cats.
Signs of Pain in Pets
Pets don’t always cry or whimper when they are feeling pain. Other signs might include:
- Limping
- Holding up one paw while walking/standing
- Walking gingerly
- Slow to stand
- Sleeping more often
- Eating less
In some cases, dogs may become aggressive or defensive. Regardless, if your pet is showing any of these signs, please contact us immediately so we can help.
We Offer Safe Pain Relief Options
At Dundee Animal Hospital, we look for the safest and most effective pain relief for dogs and cats. We also take time to evaluate your pet and figure out which medication is best for them based on their age, size, condition, and medical history. Furthermore, we want to make sure that if your pet is already taking medication, that one medication will not interfere with the other.
Along with using injectable pain relief medication (usually for surgeries), Dundee Animal Hospital also provides various oral medications, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). These are a safer alternative and help to reduce any swelling/inflammation that is adding to your pet’s discomfort.
Why Pets Need Pain Relief
Pain after surgery can slow a pet’s recovery, and chronic pain due to arthritis or an untreated injury can reduce their quality of life. Dogs and cats process pain similar to humans, and while they might attempt to hide it, pain can be more damaging to their health than we realize. They deserve the best care from people who are invested in their health—and at Dundee Animal Hospital, providing pain relief for dogs and cats is one of our top priorities.
