What sort of treatments may be offered to treat pain?

The treatment for pain varies tremendously depending on the underlying problem, how severe the pain is, how easy it is to medicate your pet, and whether options such as acupuncture, muscle/tendon therapy, rehabilitation, or surgery are indicated by the diagnosis. No matter what, we can get you started treating pain right away. In many chronic pain situations, achieving an optimal body weight will be an important goal, and we can offer nutritional consultations if necessary. Some cases involve dietary changes, such as use of nutraceuticals (i.e. foods that help with pain - fish oils, joint supplements, MSM, etc) and/or eliminating certain foods. Many pets are already on some type of pain medication, but we can assess whether this should be changed and if additional drugs might help your pet. We integrate non-pharmacological interventions for pain in many cases. Acupuncture, low level laser, shock wave therapy, heat and cold therapy, assistive devices (such as ramps, boots, harnesses), Reiki, massage and rehabilitation measures are used. Owners are encouraged to learn some of these methods to use at home on a regular basis. When needed, an orthopedist consultation is sought to decide whether a surgical procedure is recommended to stabilize joints, remove pieces of bone or cartilage that are causing pain, or remedy tendon or ligament problems. Injections of pain modifying drugs into the joint may be recommended.