The Importance of Pain Management

 You and your pet have more in common than what you probably realize.  Any condition capable of causing pain in humans is also capable of causing pain in our pets.

Think of all the different times you yourself have taken some form of pain medication. 

“I have such a headache!”
”I think I’m starting to catch a cold.”
”I worked out a little too hard yesterday.”
”I must have slept wrong last night.”
”The weather must be getting bad, my arthritis is acting up.”

 Now, imagine if you would have been warned even an half an hour before that you were going to feel that pain or ache… what would you do?

You would take pain medication to keep from feeling bad.

 Our pets feel the same way, only they cannot express their discomfort to us. 

When your pet is scheduled for a surgery, we have the advantage of knowing ahead of time whether or not there is going to be pain associated with the procedure.  We can therefore take the appropriate measures to effectively control your pet’s level of discomfort and pain.

 But why is this so important? 

It is easier to prevent pain than it is to treat already existing pain.

Pain can actually further debilitate an already sick or injured patient.  If left untreated pain could lead to further injury to your pet.

Pain caused by inflammation can slow the healing process causing a pet to have a  longer recovery time. 

Even non-invasive surgical procedures, such as a dental cleaning or extractions may also necessitate pain management.

Antibiotics do not have a direct effect on pain perception.

There are 5 different types/classifications of pain medication that work in 5 distinctly different ways.

 Common Myths

Myth # 1 - Dogs don’t need pain medication because they have a higher tolerance for pain. 

Truth – Just because a pet can tolerate pain doesn’t mean he should have to.  

 Myth # 2 - Pets don’t feel pain the same way people do.
 
Truth – Animals have the same types of pain receptors that humans do, and they respond to the same stimulus. Meaning - Any condition capable of causing pain in humans is also able to cause pain in our pets.

Myth # 3 - It’s good for pets to feel some pain after surgery.  It helps to keep them calm.

Truth - Pain caused by inflammation can slow the healing process causing a pet’s recovery time to increase.  Pain also increases the likelihood that a pet will lick/chew at the source of the pain causing further injury and/or infections.

Myth # 4 -  I can just give my pet something from home. 

Truth -  MOST HUMAN PAIN MEDICATIONS ARE TOXIC TO OUR PETS!  Giving pets medications such as Tylenol, Advil, Motrin, Aleve (and more) can potentially be fatal.  Do not give your pet ANY pain medication without first consulting your veterinarian.

 Myth # 5 -   All pain is the same.

 Truth – Skin Tissue, muscle tissue, bones and joints all respond differently to pain stimulus and require different levels and different types of pain management.  

Myth # 6 -  I’ll know if my pet is in pain.

Truth – Perception is not always accurate.  Some animals don’t show signs of pain, but that does not mean they do not feel pain.   In the wild any sign of weakness can mean the difference between life and death.  The instinct to mask discomfort and pain for protection is still present.  Usually by the time we perceive pain in our pets it is because they are too painful to hide it.