Pain can be associated with injury, surgery, dental disease, arthritis, and many other medical conditions. Recognizing and treating pain is an important part of caring for your pet.

If you believe your pet may be in pain, please call us at 714-871-3000 so we can determine the cause and recommend appropriate treatment. Do not give human over-the-counter pain medications unless a veterinarian specifically instructs you, because many medications safe for people can be dangerous for dogs, cats, and other pets.

Effective pain control can improve comfort, mobility, appetite, rest, and recovery. Because every patient and every source of pain is different, we tailor pain-management plans to the individual pet.

Medication and Non-Medication Pain Control

Pain management may involve medication, non-medication therapies, or a combination of both.

Depending on the condition, non-medication approaches may include acupuncture, therapeutic laser treatment, massage, supportive bandaging or splinting, controlled exercise, and the appropriate use of warm or cold compresses.

When medication is needed, we select from a variety of pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory medications based on the type and severity of pain, your pet’s age and overall health, and any other medications or medical conditions that may affect treatment.

For surgical patients, pain control may begin before the procedure and continue during recovery. For pets with chronic conditions such as arthritis, treatment may involve an individualized long-term plan that is adjusted as your pet’s needs change.

Our goal is to keep your pet as comfortable and active as possible while treating the underlying cause of the pain whenever we can.

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