At Veterinary Medical Center of Caldwell, our veterinarians are dedicated to ensuring your pet’s overall health and wellbeing. We know that certain health conditions, injuries, procedures, or aging can cause pain and discomfort in our patients. It is our mission to identify and treat any pain to keep your pet as comfortable and happy as possible. When it comes to pain thresholds, each animal is unique in their tolerance levels and how they show signs of pain. Our veterinary team can develop customized plans for cat and dog pain relief for pets in the Caldwell, NJ area.
Classifying Pain
Acute Pain
Acute pain will come on suddenly, usually as the result of an injury, surgery, inflammation, or infection. This can be extremely uncomfortable for your pet and may limit their mobility depending on the source and intensity. In most cases, acute pain is temporary and will subside with treatment.
CHRONIC PAIN
Chronic pain is longer-lasting and develops gradually over time. Causes of chronic pain are mostly age-related disorders, such as arthritis, but can be related to more serious issues, such as cancer or bone disease. This pain develops slowly and may become worse, or your pet may gradually become more tolerant. Depending on the situation, chronic pain can be more difficult to detect.
Signs and Symptoms
Because animals, especially cats, instinctively hide pain, detecting signs can be difficult. The following are common signs of pain in both cats and dogs:
- Being unusually quiet, listless, restless, or unresponsive
- Whining, whimpering, howling, or constantly meowing
- Biting
- Constantly licking or chewing at a particular body part
- Acting out of character – either aggressive or submissive
- Flattening ears against the head
- Hiding
- Reluctance to move
- Trouble sleeping or eating
- Seeking more attention than usual
- Inability to get comfortable (i.e. constantly changing positions)
- Trembling
If your pet is showing any of the above signs or symptoms, consult your veterinarian for an evaluation and treatment. The team at VMC Caldwell uses modern pain management techniques and medications to provide cat and dog pain relief safely and effectively.
