What is the difference between acute and chronic pain in dogs?

A dog's pain is pain, right, they hurt, but acute pain is usually something that happens immediately, like they twist their leg or they get hit by a car or something serious like that. Chronic pain is more like arthritis in dogs that are just kind of getting older and starting to have some pain that's just kind of lingering.

Dr. Stacey Huber
Animal Oasis Of The Rockies Veterinary Hospital

How quickly should I bring my dog in if I suspect they are in pain?

A lot of it depends on how your dog is acting. Obviously, pain is something that we all experience and we know what pain feels like, so you probably want to give your doctor a call and come in as soon as possible.

What are some signs and symptoms of my dog being in pain?

When they're in pain, they usually will not want to walk on that limb that's in pain. If it's pain somewhere else, sometimes they'll vocalize or maybe they won't give you a sign like they won't want to eat or there may be some swelling in that area where they hurt themselves. They're lethargic. Sometimes they'll even show a little bit of aggression like biting.

Are human pain meds like Tylenol or Advil okay to give my dog?

I would say that they're used in veterinary medicine, but I definitely wouldn't prescribe them to your pet yourself. I would definitely call the veterinarian first, probably get your animal in for an examination, and then let the doctor prescribe the pain medication that they recommend.

What kind of medication would you use for pain medication?

Pain medications kind of go across all of the board. You can have non-steroidal anti-inflammatories. You can have something like gabapentin for nerve pain. There are also some over-the-counter supplements and things like that. There's just a variety of pain medication available, and we also offer treatment for pain that includes things that are maybe not prescription drugs like acupuncture, cold laser therapy, and things like that that can really help them as well. And there are also some supplements out on the market such as Adequan that we really like as well.

Can a veterinarian help me manage my dog's chronic pain?

Oh, absolutely. I was just seeing a pet today and helping them manage their chronic pain is something that we offer here at the hospital. Again, we do a lot of different things. We also refer to some of the physical therapy places around town. So there's a lot of options. I would definitely call and make an appointment. That way you can kind of see what's going on with your pet and we can hopefully help you manage their chronic pain.

Where's the best place for me to get pain medication?

Your veterinarian. I wouldn't just go buy over-the-counter stuff. I definitely would trust your vet. So give your vet a call if you're having questions about pain medication. They'll be happy to help you.

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