Alleviating Pet Pain
As pet owners ourselves, we never want to see our furry friends in pain, so we know the same is true for you. Whether your pet is experiencing short-term discomfort, long-term aches and pains due to age, or dealing with a chronic condition, the Coal Creek Animal Hospital team is here to help improve their quality of life.
What Is The Difference Between Acute Pain and Chronic Pain?
Acute pain is sudden pain that is usually linked to an injury. If your pup starts limping after a game of fetch, they are most likely suffering from acute pain.
Chronic pain is ongoing discomfort and is typically associated with chronic conditions such as arthritis. This type of pain is more common in older pets, and causes a dull and achy pain rather than the sharp pain seen with acute injuries. Because the majority of chronic pain cases are incurable, our goal is to manage the pain and minimize discomfort throughout your pet's life.
What Are Signs of Pet Pain?
Our pets are often sneaky and do their best to hide their pain. Some common signs of discomfort include:
- Limping
- Decrease in activity level
- Changes in gate
- Trouble with stairs
- Shying away from being pet or touched in certain areas
- Not wanting to jump (especially in our feline friends)
Refer to the CSU Animal Pain Scales to help you decide whether your pet should be seen by our team.
Our Treatment Process
If you believe your pet is suffering from either acute or chronic pain we will have you complete a pre-appointment pain assessment form and schedule a full nose-to-tail examination. Our veterinarians will assess the location and level of pain your pet is experiencing and determine if further testing is needed to diagnose the problem.
Pain management is not one-size-fits-all, which is why we take a multimodal approach and form individualized treatment plans for each of our clients. These treatments may comprise:
- Medication
- Supplements
- Injections
- Weight Control
- Environmental Adjustments
Depending on the case, we may refer you to a trusted specialist for additional treatment, including:
- Acupuncture
- Laser Therapy
- Physical Therapy
No matter the cause of your pet's pain, our team is here to help. Call us or request an appointment online if you have concerns about your pet.