- Toothroot abscess, severe gingivitis, dental extractions
- Corneal ulceration, glaucoma
- Trauma: Bite wounds, abscesses, contusions
- Hotspots, burns, insect bites
- Bronchitis with much coughing/Tracheitis
- Pancreatitis, Intestinal foreign body, GDV
- Sepsis
- Cardiac arrhythmia
- Urinary tract infection/obstruction
- Anal gland abscesses/fistulas
- Postoperatively for most surgeries but the most minor mass removals
on
the skin
RECOGNITION OF PAIN:
Pets rarely vocalize when in chronic or gradual pain. Watch their body
language
for hints:
- squinting for pain in eyes or face
- ears pulled back or hanging to the side
- head tilted
- panting at rest
- restlessness
- poorly or non- weight bearing on one or more limbs
- decreased activity level or avoidance of certain activities
- decrease or loss of appetite, drooling
- body posture – hunched back may indicate back pain as in IVDDZ or
abdominal
pain as in pancreatitis, gastritis etc.
- retention of urine or feces may be a sign of pain in bladder urethra
or
colon/rectum
In severe or acute pain you will see more dramatic changes:
- touch avoidance, sometime with whimpering or aggression when touched
or
palpated
- screaming in pain typically seen in dogs on awakening from surgery,
puppies
trying to walk with fractures and in cats straining to urinate when
partially
or completely obstructed
Apart from medications helpful in pain control, there are several other
options
available for your pet.
OTHER
METHODS
OF PAIN CONTROL AND MANAGEMENT
MASSAGE, ACUPRESSURE,
ACUPUNCTURE:
- In recovery after orthopedic surgeries to decrease pain in affected
limb
and relief on other limbs, back and neck compensating for reduced
mobility
- In the management of arthritis, lumbar pain, helps to decrease muscle
tension
and cramping
- Decrease of internal pain and anxiety in cases of pancreatitis,
gastroenteritis
etc.
VOM (Veterinary Orthopedic Manipulation) and CHIROPRACTIC
- Especially useful in IVDDZ (intervertebral disk disease) or spinal
misalignment.
Helps decrease muscle spasms and realign spine, therefore helping pain
in
spine and extremities
COMPRESSES, hot and cold:
- Cold compresses are most effective with acute inflammation after
surgery,
over joints or swellings, apply in form of ice cubes in moist towel or
cold
pack in moist towel for 5-10 minutes several times a day.
- Hot compresses are beneficial to increase circulation to an area of
poor
healing, or long standing swelling, especially if alternated hot – cold
–
hot at 10-5-10 minute intervals.
- Warm water application over acute burns (not cold water) will
decrease
long-term pain, blistering and scarring. The water must be as warm as
the
patient will stand for applied for as long as possible.
