Pain Management
One of our goals at Ridgefield Animal Hospital is to provide an effective medication and pain management strategy for pets that have pain issues. Left untreated, pain reduces quality of life and can delay recovery from surgery, injury, or illness. We offer laser therapy, acupuncture and chiropractic treatments that can be used in conjunction with traditional medicine for pain management.
Many animals will not show obvious signs of pain or sickness. Pet owners do not realize that the most common sign of pain is change in behavior. If you notice your pet exhibiting any of the following symptoms, chances are that your pet is experiencing pain, and should be examined by a qualified veterinarian.
Common Signs of Pain:
- Stiffness
- Decreased Activity
- Lagging behind on walks
- Difficulty standing up
- Pacing, Restlessness, Biting
- Slow to Sit or Lay Down
- Limping
- Avoidance of Stairs
- Muscle Atrophy (loss)
- Hesitation to Move
- Neck Weakness
- Trembling
- Depressed Appetite
- Running with “Bunny Hops”
- Unusual Crying or Whining - or yelping when touched
- Hiding
- Arched Back, Head Lowered or Tilted
- Panting (Increase in respiration)
In addition to treating pets for chronic pain due to conditions such as arthritis or pain from injury, we focus on our surgical cases to ensure that they are as pain free as possible. If pain medication is given before a surgery is performed, your pet will require less anesthesia and post-operative pain medicine and will recover more quickly.