Tell Me Where It Hurts
Do
you ever have a headache, feel a little achy, or suffer with a throat
tickle? Do you cry every time you move?
Probably not. Acute pain, the type you get when you take a wrong step or nick
your finger cutting tomatoes, is sharp enough that you might cry out “Oh !@$@$!#
that hurts!”
But
chronic pain, that dull, always just-below-the-surface ache of arthritis or toothache,
doesn’t usually equate to sound. If
you’ve ever walked around a senior citizen center, you know what I mean.
· You don't hear a lot of screaming, and you see a lot of people walking slowly,
perhaps due to a variety of aches and pains
.
Look, then listen
Cats
with arthritis in their spines are in pain. They may not howl when they walk,
but they move ever so carefully. When their pain is treated, they start jumping
back on counters again.
Dogs
with rotting teeth are in pain. They may not yelp when they eat, but they eat
less, or slowly. Most of the time, pet owners aren't aware of the problem until
it's detected by a vet or until their pet eats everything in his bowl (and your
plate!)
The rule of thumb for pain management specialists, both
human and animal, is to Assume Pain; if a pet is likely to have a painful
condition, go ahead and treat even if the signs aren't obvious. Don't make
pain
medications optional for your animals; pain control is just as vital as every
other aspect of your medical management.
Which is worse? Pain meds or pain
itself?
Many
people are under the mistaken belief that most pain medications are so
dangerous it’s better not to try them at all. Veterinary NSAIDs (non-steroidal
anti-inflammatories), the most commonly prescribed class of pain medications,
are also the most libeled.
NSAIDs can have side effects. All drugs do.
Some of them are severe. As your pet's advocate, it's up to you to provide the
vet with all appropriate health history,
to understand how to properly administer the medication and what relief
your pet should expect.
Side
effects of NSAID's may include:
- loss of appetite
- diarrhea
- vomiting
- ulcers
- liver & kidney damage
The vast majority of patients have an excellent
experience with NSAIDs when given as directed. Most of the adverse events are
related to people who either wait too long to report side effects, give more
than the prescribed dosage, or refuse the recommended monitoring. In other
words, most are avoidable. Contact your veterinarian
immediately if you suspect that your pet is suffering side effects from any
NSAID.
There are other drugs out there besides
NSAIDs. Adequan, Tramadol, gabapentin are just a few. Your vet may
choose adjunct treatments like physical therapy, acupuncture and laser. Most
animal healthcare practices now practice Multimodal Pain Management; combining
medications and treatments across categories in an effort to better overall
pain control.
We'd like to suggest...
Educated
owners make good decisions.When it comes to the
pain of joint disease, the best treatment/prevention is free...keep your animal
at a healthy weight. Pain
can be managed, even in very senior and frail patients. We just need to
acknowledge that it’s there first. Don’t wait for your pet to tell you- he
can’t talk.
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This blog is brought to you by Diagnostic Imaging Systems. Diagnostic Imaging Systems, Inc. (DIS) provides Quality Imaging products since 1983. The company combines industry knowledge with an understanding of the veterinary practice. For more information, go to Diagnostic Imaging Systems, Inc. website at: www.vetxray.com
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