Your pet’s comfort is extremely important to us.
While our dogs and cats cannot tell us when they’re in pain, that doesn’t mean they don’t feel it like we do. Pain can be just as debilitating for dogs and cats, and have a significant impact on their quality of life. At Shawsheen Animal Hospital, we offer a variety of pet pain management options to give your companion the relief they need.
Handling Acute Pain in Pets
Acute pain is any kind of pain that results from a surgery, an injury, inflammation, or infection. This type of pain can limit your pet’s mobility for a time and affect their recovery. Fortunately, this pain is only temporary, and we can help relieve it with the right treatment plan.
Managing Chronic Pain in Pets
As you might guess, chronic pain lasts much longer in dogs and cats. Cat and dog arthritis are common conditions as pets get older and are often the main culprit for ongoing aches and pains. However, certain types of cancers can also lead to chronic pain. The problem with this type of pain is that your pet might be used to it, so it’s harder to tell if something is wrong.
Below, we offer a list of signs that could indicate your pet is in pain.
How Can I Tell If My Pet is in Pain?
- Eating less
- Sleeping more often/having trouble sleeping
- Unable to get comfortable, constantly shifting position
- Shaking/trembling frequently
- Reluctant to get up and move around
- Hiding under the couch or bed
- Whines, whimpers, or cries when touched
- Acting listless/restless
- Licking or biting at the same spot
- Acting unusually submissive or aggressive
Dogs and cats will hide their pain instinctively. Use the list above so you can more easily detect possible signs of pain in your pet. The sooner we can relieve your pet’s pain, the happier and healthier they’ll be. Shawsheen Animal Hospital in Tewksbury, MA offers a variety of pet pain management options, including medication and laser therapy.
