Your veterinarian can use different kinds of tests to identify why your pet is experiencing pain. Some of these tests can be performed by your primary veterinary care provider, and others require a specialist with novel diagnostic tests.
Pain can be a challenge to treat. Understanding the reason why your pet is in pain can help determine the best treatment options. The most commonly known treatment is pain medication. Pain medications for people may be harmful for your pet, so always talk with your veterinarian about pain medications that may be safe to use in your pet.
Therapies to treat pet pain include some you may have heard are used for people. These include acupuncture and laser therapy. The treatments Dr. Jennifer F. Johnson, a veterinary pain management specialist from Pennsylvania, explained were very convincing to me as effective options for treating specific causes of pain. Your primary care veterinarian may or may not have these specialized treatment options available, so they may refer you to a specialist.
Some tests and treatments are more expensive than you may expect, so understand how much it will cost and determine whether you can afford to pay for specific tests and treatments before you start approving them.
If your pet is experiencing pain that cannot be identified or managed effectively at a price you can afford, have a discussion with your veterinarian about whether you should consider euthanasia for your pet. It may be the most humane choice you have. If you have a hard time thinking about euthanasia as an option for whatever reason, there are people who can help you cope with this decision.
Pet treatments continue to evolve. I recently attended a continuing education event for veterinarians that talked about recognizing pain in dogs and cats, and treatment options for pets experiencing pain.
At the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management they developed a great way for you to help your veterinarian determine if your dog or cat is in pain. You can find more information about pain and your pet on their web site at ivapm.org
