PAIN / INFLAMMATION

Most pain research suggests that the same conditions that cause pain in humans, whether from a nagging chronic condition or a surgical procedure, can cause pain in a dog. The existence of pain is not always obvious to owners but the owner plays a key role in identifying pain since they are most familiar with their pet’s normal behavior and are the ones most likely to sense when something is wrong. However, since things are not always as they might seem, differentiating between pain and anxiety can be difficult.

In addition to there being different types of pain, there are individual variations in pain tolerance. Ongoing pain caused by a joint disease such as arthritis is generally referred to as chronic. Acute pain refers to a specific injury that causes pain with a distinct beginning and end. Orthopedic surgery (such as limb amputation) and any surgery involving the chest generally causes the greatest levels of pain and certain anatomical sites such as your dog’s face, ear canals, and paws have a higher concentration of pain-sensitive nerve endings and are therefore particularly sensitive to pain.

The first step in managing pain is identifying the cause. If you suspect that your dog is experiencing pain, he should be taken to your vet for a thorough examination. Your vet can suggest an approach to pain management and prescribe a course of pain-relieving analgesics to treat the pain. For severe pain, the strongest medications are sleep-inducing (narcotic) substances such as morphine, codeine, and butorphanol, which activate pain-suppression systems in the central nervous system. Milder non-narcotic analgesics such as aspirin and acetaminophen can be prescribed for less intense pain. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and naproxen relieve pain by reducing inflammation.

Don’t ever take it upon yourself to medicate your pet with any over the counter drugs for humans without first consulting your veterinarian. Although aspirin can be an effective pain reliever for humans, repeated use can cause stomach bleeding in dogs, even in its buffered or coated forms. Ibuprofen can also produce potentially harmful gastrointestinal side-effects in dogs and can even result in kidney and liver damage.

Tranquilizers may also be used by veterinarians as part of pain management. Tranquilizers won’t suppress pain, but they can relieve anxiety that can heighten a dog’s experience of pain. Rest and recovery are facilitated by the sedative properties of tranquilizers.

Pain management can also be achieved via alternative therapies. A dog’s own pain-relieving neurotransmitters can be stimulated by the analgesic effects of accupuncture. Gentle massage, administered by a trained owner or professional animal masseuse, can help stimulate circulation in damaged tissues. By applying pressure to specific trigger points on muscles, trigger-point therapy relieves nerve inflammation. A veterinary chiropractor can adjust the spine and joints to their proper alignment. Glucosamine and chondroitin have proven useful in relieving joint pain and inflammation without any adverse side effects.

Veterinarians recognize that all pain can be hazardous to an animal’s health. Whether it is acute or chronic, pain can harm the animal’s well being and, in some cases, even block recovery. The reason for this is that pain causes the body to create a metabolic, neurologic, and hormonal stress response. This can result in a decreased appetite, inability to sleep, tissue breakdown, muscle fatigue, and general organ dysfunction. Once an animal becomes exhausted and distressed, they are less able to heal.

It is believed that only about half of veterinarians routinely prescribe analgesics after surgery. Vets most likely to give painkillers were generally recent graduates of veterinary school or those who have themselves experienced severe pain. This is why it is particularly important that owners be on the watch for signs of pain in their pets and that they discuss the subject openly with their veterinarian. Recent studies of pain research in people has shown that there is greater relief if drugs are given before the pain begins, so at more progressive animal hospitals, most surgical patients are now getting some kind of analgesic before, as well as after, procedures. It’s up to the owner to demand similar treatment for their pets.