Pain Management

Pain management is an important issue in veterinary medicine.

Did You Know?

There are still people (including some veterinarians) who think pain after surgery is good because it will keep the patient still and prevent injury. This is cruel and simply not true.
Pain can interfere with your pet's immune system, increase the risk of infection, and slow your pet's healing.
Additionally, not all "pain medications" and protocols are equal. Read on to learn more.

AAHA, along with the American Association of Feline Practitioners, recently released the AAHA/AAFP Pain Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats. These guidelines show that pain management will improve the recovery process, whether from illness, surgery, or injury. Best of all, because it reduces stress and increases a sense of well being, pain management may even help your pet live longer.

Is Your Pet in Pain?

Many animals, especially cats, naturally hide signs of pain to protect themselves from predators.

Look for any change in your pet's behavior and be watchful for any of the following signs which may signal that your pet is in pain:

Being unusually quiet, listless, restless, or unresponsive.
Whining, whimpering, howling, or constantly meowing.
Biting.
Constantly licking or chewing at a particular part of the body.
Acting odd, funny, or out of character, either aggressively or submissively.
Flattening ears against the head.
Having trouble sleeping or eating.
Seeking a lot more affection than usual.
Unable to get comfortable (constantly changes positions to find the most comfortable position).

Alternative Pain Management — Acupuncture

Visit our Acupuncture Page for more details.
Acupuncture at SNVH is available to only our regular patients
because we take responsibility for the whole patient's well-being.