Pain Management for our Companion Animals

Pain management has changed drastically in my 21 years in the veterinary industry. I remember just giving an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory) injection and that was it. Pain was not a huge concern in the overall care for our companion animals.  The perception for far too long has been that they "don't feel pain" like people or that certain elective procedures were "minor" or likely to cause only minimal discomfort. What research and observations over the years has come to prove is that our patients do perceive pain much the same as humans.  These magnificent beings have instinctive behaviors that cause them to hide their pain from outward observation (think about nature - the strong survive and the weak or injured become breakfast) so we must think proactively when it comes to pain management.  To put it simply, if a surgical event would be painful for a human, then we should expect a similar level of pain to occur in our pets too.

We now control pain and discomfort starting before the patient is even put under anesthesia. Once they are unconscious we give them different pain medication during their surgical procedure so that their body does not feel or react to the pain that is being inflicted on them and it allows the pet to have a pain free recovery once they are awake.

There are so many different levels of pain and we can take care of all of them now.

Many veterinary hospitals still treat our companion animals the way we did 20 years ago. It is up to you to ask questions. Ask what kind of pain management will be used for your pet.

From dentals, to spays, to neuters to removing a foreign object from your pet's stomach, all of these procedures cause different levels of pain. But don't think for a moment that a "routine spay" doesn't need pain management. That is an abdominal surgery where muscle must be cut into. Imagine how painful that can be!

When your pet goes home after having surgery (with oral pain medications), he/she should have an appetite the next day, they shouldn't be hunched over in pain, and they shouldn't be lethargic. If they are, their pain has not been managed properly.

For more information on how far pain management has come read this article called Pain Management for Pets at www.healthypet.com.

Keep your pets healthy, pain free and make sure they always Keep Wagging!

Monique and the Nose Prints Family

Pet Food Recall

Proctor and Gamble own the Iams company which also makes Eukanuba. Unfortunately, many of their diets have been recalled. See below....


Proctor & Gamble (P&G) has expanded a recent voluntary recall of certain specialized dry pet foods due to a risk of contamination with Salmonella. The foods recalled include Iams Veterinary Dry Formulas, Eukanuba Naturally Wild, Eukanuba Pure, and Eukanuba Custom Care Sensitive Skin with "best by" dates between July 1, 2010 and December 1, 2010. All UPC codes are included in the recall.

These products are all made at the same facility. There is a risk of contamination in some of the foods made in this facility, so out of an excess of caution, P&G is recalling all the products made at this facility.

Consumers who have purchased the foods listed should discard them immediately. Note that people handling dry pet food can become infected with Salmonella, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with surfaces exposed to this product. Salmonella can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and fever. It can on rare occasions also result in arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting any of these symptoms after having contact with one of the recalled products should consult a healthcare provider immediately.

Pets with Salmonella infections may suffer from decreased appetite, fever, and abdominal pain, as well as diarrhea, bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting. If your pet has consumed any of the recalled products and exhibits these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian immediately.

For further information or a product replacement or refund call P&G toll-free at 877-340-8823.


Keep your pets safe and Keep Wagging!


Monique and the Nose Prints family