Treatment of acute and chronic pain
Pain assessment using clinical scales and a treatment plan that combines several methods — after operations, in osteoarthritis, and for cancer pain and neuropathic pain. Standard STD-04.
What it involves
Animals do not tell us that they are in pain, and often hide it — cats especially. Pain management therefore begins with recognising pain: we observe posture, manner of walking, facial expression (in cats, the so-called grimace scale), appetite, reaction to touch and behaviour at home. We use the same scoring scales at every visit so that we can objectively compare whether treatment is working.
Our standard STD-04 is based on multimodal treatment: instead of one drug in a large dose, we combine several methods acting at different points of the pain pathway — non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, opioids, drugs for neuropathic pain (e.g. gabapentin), local blocks and, for chronic pain, also monoclonal antibodies, supplements and modification of the environment. This allows each drug to be used at a lower dose, with a lower risk of adverse effects.
We treat chronic pain like a disease: with a plan, follow-ups and an observation diary kept by the owner.
When it is used
Acute pain occurs after operations and injuries, with inflammation (teeth, ears, pancreas) and is always part of the surgical plan. Chronic pain affects mainly seniors with osteoarthritis, but also animals with cancer, chronic oral inflammation in cats, spinal disease or after amputations.
It is worth booking a consultation when an animal's behaviour has changed and it is not clear why — pain is one of the most common and least often recognised causes.
Indications: symptoms that should prompt a visit
- The cat has stopped jumping onto the windowsill or bed and more often lies curled up in a ball.
- The dog gets up with difficulty after resting, walks stiffly for the first few minutes, and then loosens up.
- The animal growls or hisses when a particular spot is touched, although it used to enjoy being stroked.
- The dog licks one joint, or the cat has stopped grooming and its coat is unkempt.
- After an operation the animal will not eat, pants, has dilated pupils or cannot settle.
- A dog with cancer has clearly weakened, walks less and avoids contact.
- The cat relieves itself outside the litter tray because getting into it is difficult.
Conditions for which we use it in particular
Diagnostics beforehand
To treat pain effectively, you need to know its source. We perform orthopaedic and neurological examination, digital X-rays of the joints or spine and, if visceral pain is suspected, abdominal ultrasound. Before starting long-term anti-inflammatory treatment, we check the kidneys and liver in our laboratory — these drugs are safe only in patients whose organs are working well, and require periodic monitoring.
How it proceeds
The visit begins with a detailed history — we ask for videos from home, because in the consulting room the animal masks its signs under stress. The vet scores the pain on a scale, examines the musculoskeletal system and spine, orders the necessary tests and establishes a diagnosis.
A plan then follows: choice of drugs and their schedule, any injections (e.g. monoclonal antibody once a month), and advice on body weight, flooring, ramps and access to the litter tray. For acute post-operative pain, the plan is ready before the procedure and includes premedication, blocks and medication for the first days at home.
First follow-up after 2–4 weeks: we compare the scores, the owner's diary and blood results, and adjust doses. For chronic pain, follow-ups every 3–6 months.
Aftercare
Give medication at regular times, preferably with food, and do not change doses yourself. Never give an animal human painkillers — paracetamol is fatal to cats and ibuprofen is toxic to dogs. Keep brief notes: how it gets up, how it walks, whether it eats, whether it plays.
Call if vomiting, black stool, loss of appetite or excessive sleepiness appear — these may be adverse effects requiring a change of medication.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell that my cat is in pain?
Cats rarely vocalise. The signs are changes in habits: less jumping, less grooming, hiding, squinting eyes, flattened ears. The Feline Grimace Scale is a simple test that we will show you during the visit.
Won't long-term painkillers damage the kidneys?
With proper assessment and blood monitoring the risk is small, and untreated pain in itself worsens quality and length of life. We choose drugs and doses according to kidney condition, and have alternatives for patients in whom NSAIDs are contraindicated.
Can I give my dog something from the home medicine cabinet?
No. Human painkillers are toxic to dogs and cats, sometimes in a single tablet. Call us — we will choose a safe preparation.
Do joint supplements work?
On their own they do not treat pain, but for some patients they are a sensible addition. We treat them as part of the plan, not as its foundation.
We manage every case individually. The scope, indications and course described above are indicative; we agree the exact diagnostic and treatment plan during the consultation. This content is for information only and does not replace a veterinary consultation.
Do you have questions about treatment of acute and chronic pain?
Call us or book a consultation. We will set out the diagnostic and treatment plan in writing, before you decide.