Veterinary Pain Management
Anesthesiologists work with patients undergoing surgery as well as those living with acute and chronic pain. We work to identify and localise your pet’s pain, based on physical exam and diagnostic tests. Once we identify the cause, we create an individual muti-modal pain management plan for your pet. Pain management improves the recovery process from surgery, illness, injury, and chronic pain conditions.
Pets with chronic pain, present a particular challenge and often a cure is not possible; the goal is to manage the pet’s pain to ensure good quality of life. Chronic pain management requires ongoing care, and there a variety of medications and therapies available to our patients to best manage their conditions.
Pharmacologic, physical, neutraceutical, environmental, and other treatments are essential to management of pain in our veterinary patients and we are especially adept at treating the discomfort associated with chronic conditions. In addition to providing pain management consultations and treatments, our anesthesiologist offers direct anesthetic management for patients undergoing anesthesia and advice for other veterinary surgeons.
Some patients that may benefit from consultation:
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Patients with pain not responding to routine analgesic therapy
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Patients with chronic back pain
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Patients with osteoarthritis that are not comfortable with NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents) alone
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Patients with developmental orthopaedic disease (eg Hip dysplasia/ limb deformities)
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Patients with neuropathic pain resulting in over-sensitivity to non-painful stimuli
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Patients with Postoperative pain (eg orthopaedic surgery)
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Patients with pain associated with cancer
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Prehabilitaion prior to surgery to prevent or reduce post-operative pain
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Patients with behavioural conditions secondary to pain
Palliative Care
Palliative care aims to maximise quality of life when a cure is not possible for a patients condition. This often refers to chronic pain management, oncology patient care.
Management relies on accurate diagnosis, creating an individualised plan and reacting quickly to changes in the patients condition.
Chronic conditions can significantly affect patients quality of life and appropriate management of the condition and the expectation of treatment can improve outcome for both the patient and carers at home.