Pain Management

The Challenge of Managing an Animal’s Pain

Pain management in companion animals can be challenging to achieve because they cannot tell you that something hurts. You must learn how to interpret their barks, meows, and other sounds the same way new parents learn to decipher a baby’s cry. Animals also disguise their pain so as not to show vulnerability to predators. Even though they have adapted through the years to live as family pets in Newport Beach, CA, and around the world, this instinct is still a part of their DNA. This can cause you to unintentionally ignore your pet’s pain when he or she is sick, injured, or recovering from surgery.

Effective veterinary pain management in Newport Beach, CA, requires strong diagnostic skills

At Newport Center Animal Hospital, we look for the following signs of pain at every appointment:

  • Lack of appetite
  • Hiding under furniture at home or in our veterinary clinic
  • Whimpering or crying
  • Shaking or trembling
  • Avoiding the use of one or more limbs
  • Standing or walking in a hunched posture
  • Marked decrease in activity level
  • Behavior changes, such as a docile pet suddenly becoming aggressive

While these are some of the most common indications of pain, we realize every pet is unique. That is why we spend considerable time interviewing you at our clinic in Newport Beach, CA, to understand which behavior is abnormal.

Our goal is to return your pet to a pain-free life

After observing your pet’s actions, we run tests to determine what could be causing the pain. The combination of outward behavior and a definitive diagnosis allows us to create a customized pain management plan. If appropriate, we will prescribe medication to control and eliminate pain. Our staff also closely monitors your pet before, during, and after surgery for indications of pain. In some cases, non-pharmaceutical options are the most appropriate means of pain relief.

We know it is hard to see your friend suffer. Please contact (949) 644-5460 to start an effective pain management program.