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HomeTopics...Animal PainPain Management
Pain Management for Pets
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Managing your pet's pain is usually the first step in treatment. Some of the most common forms of pain management include:
Home Remedies for Pet Pain ManagementWith the high cost of veterinary services, you'll want to try to alleviate your pet's pain at home. The most common home remedies are listed below.
Massage: Massage for cats and dogs is a new and growing field. The benefits of massage include:
To massage your dog or cat, start by gently rubbing its ears and work your way towards its tail. Check for any strange lumps and skin problems as you go. Massage offers a wonderful opportunity to bond with your pet.
Exercise: Monitoring your pet's exercise helps you identify activities that cause pain. If you notice that your active dog or cat is slowing down during routine physical tasks, you can reduce the exercise in order to prevent strain and physical discomfort.
Overweight cats and dogs are more susceptible to arthritis than their lighter counterparts. By providing an overweight pet time to exercise, you'll help reduce the risk of arthritic pain.
Diet: Maintaining a healthy diet for your dog or cat can diminish the chance of arthritis developing in your pet. Obese pets place more strain on their joints and bones when they walk and are in a high-risk group for conditions such as arthritis and degenerative bone disease. Regulating your pet's food intake will give you a better chance of preventing arthritis and keeping your pet pain free.
Always consult your veterinarian before you begin any treatment program for your animal. Your vet will properly diagnose the cause of your pet's discomfort and will develop an appropriate treatment schedule.
General Pain Management for Acute PainWith acute pain, you'll be treating the condition causing the pain instead of the pain. While reducing the amount of pain your pet is experiencing is certainly in order, the pain will persist until the condition itself has been treated.
You should first talk with your vet in order to treat the condition. Remember to follow your vet's instructions carefully and consistently otherwise additional problems may develop.
The following chart provides information regarding some common conditions related to acute pain:
Acute pain normally goes away once the condition is treated. If your pet's condition doesn't improve during treatment or if you have further questions, talk with your veterinarian to develop a different plan.
Pet Pain Management: Drug TherapyPet pain normally cannot be completely eliminated, but it can be minimized. Most veterinarians use drug therapy to manage pet pain, so it's often prescribed for pets experiencing pain. Recent advances in veterinary science have made some new and effective drugs available, but one needs to be cautious when using drugs, as the possibility of toxic interactions is always present.
As a general rule of thumb, it is safer and more effective to use two different medications at lower doses than one medication at a higher dose. Also, older animals should receive lower doses with less frequency than younger animals. Talk with your vet before using any sort of medication. You should make sure the medication is safe for your pet and that there are no adverse drug interactions (if using multiple medications).
Medicines used for pain management in animals fall into five classes.NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs)NSAIDs block the production of pain-inducing chemicals called prostaglandins (COX-1 and COX-2). COX-1 prostaglandins protect the stomach lining, small intestine, and kidneys while COX-2 prostaglandins cause the pain. Older NSAIDs blocked both of these prostaglandins while newer NSAIDs only block the COX-2 prostaglandins.
Aspirin is an NSAID. Common side effects include hair loss, bleeding, vomiting, and diarrhea. If these side effects appear, contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.
OpioidsOpioids dull the sense of pain in the brain. Morphine is a common opioid that is still commonly used today. Side effects include lowered blood pressure and constipation.
Dissociative AgentsKetamine is a commonly used dissociative agent. It is a general anesthetic (especially for cats) that is often used to treat chronic pain.
Alpha-2 AgonistsAlpha-2 agonists are a general anesthetic used for larger animals (dogs and horses). It may also be used in conjunction with opioids to prolong their effects.
AntidepressantsCertain antidepressants (such as Elavil) have shown positive results for chronic pain management in animals.
Read This Before You Give Your Pet Any MedicationNever give your pet any medication unless specifically directed by your veterinarian, and when directed, follow the instructions carefully. It's never a good idea to give your dog or cat a tablet or capsule of Tylenol just because your pet doesn't look like he or she is feeling well. Improperly used medication can result in serious medical conditions such as bleeding, stomach ulcers and even death.
Furthermore, medications are not something you should rely on. If possible, try some sort of physical therapy or changes in lifestyle. Those are more natural and healthier options.
Be especially careful of giving medication to your cat. Cats are especially sensitive to medications (more so than dogs) and due to their light weight and small frame, are particularly susceptible to even small doses of any drug. Always check with your veterinarian. Your pet's life depends on it.
Alternatives in Animal Pain ManagementIn addition to standard methods of diet control, exercise or physical therapy and drug therapy, pet owners have other options for pain management for their pets. Most "alternative" therapies are used in conjunction with standard forms of pain management. They include:
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