Veterinary Services

Pet Pain Management

At Circle L Animal Hospital, we prioritize understanding and addressing pet pain with a professional and compassionate approach.

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Pet Pain Management in Chino Valley, AZ

Pain can result from a variety of sources including apparent causes like post-operative recovery and injury, or underlying conditions like chronic illness.

How to Recognize Pain

Other than obvious injuries, recognizing pet pain is more difficult than you would expect, requiring a trained eye and keen observation to discover discomfort. Subtle changes in your pet’s behavior may indicate a hidden, underlying issue. Signs can include:

Becoming withdrawn or inactive.
Uncharacteristic aggression.
Decreased appetite.
Whimpering or abnormal vocalizations.
Stiffness, reduced mobility or inability to rise.
Ears placed back against the head.

These small, yet significant indicators are your pet’s only way of communicating that there is an issue. Stay alert for these signs and contact your veterinarian if you observe any abnormal behavior.

How Pain is Managed

There are a wide variety of methods available to help manage pain. Prescription medications are the most common approach. Categories include anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), opioids and corticosteroids. Your veterinarian will prescribe medication based on your pet’s specific needs, creating a targeted drug regime. These are generally highly effective and will dramatically reduce pet pain and discomfort. Circle L Animal Hospital only prescribes industry-leading medications from safe and reputable suppliers; however, like all drugs, there is a risk of adverse reactions and side effects.

Alternative therapies are often used to supplement conventional pharmaceuticals. These treatments usually provide long-lasting, yet less concentrated benefits, helping manage chronic conditions, or hasten the recovery process. Circle L Animal Hospital offers acupuncture, laser therapy, electro-stimulation, physical therapy, stretching and myofascial massage.

Herbal medications and supplements, known as veterinary phytotherapy, utilize natural herbs to treat and cure disease. Medicinal herbs and their derivatives contain a wide range of pharmaceutically active ingredients with beneficial properties. Depending on your pet’s specific medical factors, herbal supplements can either replace or be combined with conventional drug therapy, providing targeted benefits. Your experienced veterinarian only will prescribe safe and effective pharmaceutical combinations.

Circle L veterinarians are committed to educating you about the your pet’s pain management options, fully explaining the risks and benefits of each method before treatment begins.

If you suspect your pet may be in pain, or would like more information about our pain management services, please contact us today.