Pain Awareness

​Even though September is quickly coming to a close, we want to touch on pain awareness. IVAPM(International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management) has proclaimed September as Animal Pain Awareness Month, coinciding with human medicine’s Pain Awareness Month. Pain in animals can come in many forms just like pain in people does. Injury, arthritis, surgical, and cancer related are just a few types of pain seen in animals of all types and sizes. There are two different types of pain: Acute and chronic. Acute pain is obvious, sudden, and tends to be distressing. Chronic pain is long lasting, typically more than 6 months, and is still ongoing even after the cause is healed or gone away. Chronic pain in animals tends to be masked as “getting old” and “slowing down.”
There are several different types of treatments varying from pain medications to massage. Physical rehabilitations, laser therapy, and acupuncture are just a few to name.
We encourage pain management in all species, whether it is in small cats or horses and cattle. Our goal is education and advocacy to help our clients understand what their animals may be suffering from earlier rather than later.
If you’re noticing any of the following signs, it may be time to contact us.

• Decreased activity- is your pet not playing as much?
• Not going up or down stairs- early signs of osteoarthritis
• Reluctance to jump up onto surfaces- noticeably higher in cats
• Difficulty standing after lying down- another sign of osteoarthritis
• Decreased appetite- sign of mouth pain
• Over grooming/licking particular area- sign of referred pain

It is never too early to address any signs of pain in your pet, please feel free to contact us if any of these signs arise. We want your friend feeling and acting better as soon as possible!