Veterinary Pain Management in Charlottesville, Virginia
No one wants their four-legged companions to live in pain. At Virginia Veterinary Specialists, we understand that pain is a concern for many pet parents. This is especially true if your pet needs to undergo a surgical procedure or is receiving treatment for a painful injury.
Veterinary Pain Management
Here’s the good news: we include pain management in our veterinary procedures, almost as a second nature. Managing your pet’s pain is woven through everything we do, and we will always do everything in our power to make your pet feel comfortable.
- Laser therapy
- Nerve blocks
- Local and regional blocks
- Infusions
- Multi-modal analgesia (in other words, a combination of different pain-control options)
- Constant rate infusions of analgesics (pain medications)
- Oral pain medications
- Injectable pain medications
If you are ever concerned about your pet’s pain during their diagnosis and treatment process, don’t hesitate to let us know. We will work together to make sure your dog or cat feels safe, loved, and happy throughout her time in our care.
Sometimes, it’s hard to gauge whether your pet is in pain. We’ve included signs of pain in both cats and dogs to help guide your at-home evaluations of your pet’s comfort level.
Signs of Pain in Cats
Cats tend to show their pain in subtle ways.
They include:- Meowing, purring, hissing, or growling
- Changes in sleeping, eating, grooming, or potty habits
- Licking, biting, or scratching
- Restlessness
- Limping
- Panting
- Arching or tucking in of the abdomen
- Changes in behavior
You know your cat’s normal behavior best. Use it as a benchmark for what’s normal, and let us know if something seems off.
Signs of Pain in Dogs
Dogs are a bit more vocal about their pain, but it’s still good to know the signs of canine discomfort.
Here’s what to watch out for:- Howling, whining, yelping, or groaning
- Decreased appetite
- Increased sleepiness
- Biting, licking, or scratching a specific part of the body
- Limping
- Restlessness
- Hunched posture
- Changes in behavior
You know your canine companion better than anyone. At any sign of unusual behavior, reach out to our team for pain management assistance.
Call us at (434) 202-2987 to learn more about what we offer as we work to manage our patients’ pain.