Pain Management

As advocates for patients, our veterinary team has the responsibility to recognize, assess, prevent, and treat pain. The research of the last decade has brought much new information about the effects, assessment, and control of pain. We have many more options for controlling pain from surgery, injury, or disease than we had in the past, ranging from new drugs to herbal therapy to acupuncture and massage.

It is irresponsible to have pets endure needless pain. A partnership between you and the Plymouth Heights team is crucial to developing pain management strategies for your companion animal. Because you see your pet daily, you can usually tell when something is wrong.

Our staff can help you recognize the cues indicating pain or discomfort in an animal. If it is determined your pet would benefit from pain management, a safe and effective therapy will be recommended.

Pain is very subjective and difficult to measure, and it’s even harder to assess in cats than dogs. Most animals experiencing pain will change their behavior patterns. They will be reluctant to jump or climb stairs, become more withdrawn and inactive, or react negatively to being held or picked up. Look for those subtle changes in behavior when the animal seems to be guarding itself against movement or loses interest in interacting with its environment.

The changing of behavior may be the only way your pet communicates a need for pain management.