Pain is a common symptom of a number of injuries and illnesses. This pain will either be chronic or acute. While acute pain is short lived, chronic pain can have serious implications. Here, our vets share information about chronic pain in dogs, potential causes, and how veterinary cold laser therapy in Rochester can help.
The Different Types of Pain Affecting Dogs
When a dog experiences pain, it will fall into one of two categories – chronic or acute. Here is a little information outlining the differences:
Acute Pain in Dogs
Acute pain usually develops quickly and is only experienced for a short period of time. Acute pain is usually present with injuries or illness, or after a surgical procedure. This pain is the result of the brain signaling that healing needs to happen in a certain area.
If your dog has acute pain you will likely notice some changes in their behavior. These changes can include hiding, or avoid using the injured limb. With these behaviors, your dog can help decrease the pain felt. Acute pain is also known as adaptive pain as it can change depending on the steps taken or not taken to treat the issue. If your dog recievs the care needed then the pain will be resolved along with the issue. If not treated, however, then the pain can become more intense and potentially become chronic pain.
Chronic Pain in Dogs
Chronic pain is a long-term pain that can greatly reduce your pet's quality of life. This type of pain does not serve the same purpose as acute pain and cannot be resolved, only managed. With chronic pain your dog may be in a constant state of discomfort and may also have other accosiated symptoms such as inflammation. Management is important to ensure that your dog does not experience constant suffering.
Chronic Pain in Dogs
While every pet parent aims to keep their dog happy and healthy, there may be conditions that arise that cause ongoing discomfort. When a dog suffers from chronic pain, you will notice changes in their behavior and movement. The first step will be to have your dog examined and diagnosed so that you can begin to manage their symptoms.
How is chronic pain diagnosed?
If you think that your dog is experiencing repeat concerns affecting their health and causing them pain, you will want to bring them in for a full examination in order to rule out any other possible causes.
Some of the methods of diagnosing your dog's condition may include:
- Veterinary examination
- Physiologic biomarkers
- Objective measurements of gait and movement
- Multifactorial clinical measurement instruments
- Owner assessment of activities of daily living (ADL)
What are the causes of chronic pain?
Osteoarthritis is the leading cause of chronic pain in dogs, making up approximately 40% of all cases. Some of the contributing factors for osteoarthritis include hereditary and other congenital factors that can affect dogs of all ages and breeds.
Other causes of chronic pain in dogs include:
- Intervertebral disk disease IVDD
- Cancer
- Dental Health Problems
- Trauma / Injuries
How Pet Laser Therapy in Rochester Can Help Your Dog
Veterinary laser therapy is a fairly new method of treatment for symptoms related to various disorders and is most commonly used to help manage pain, inflammation, and wound healing for your pet.
Therapeutic lasers use light waves of a specific wavelength to alter the physiology of the affected tissues. The light emitted by these lasers throughout treatment will help to stimulate the cells within the tissues and allow for faster cellular regeneration.
Uses for Veterinary Laser Therapy
There are a number of conditions and situations where cold laser therapy may be able to help manage pain in dogs and cats. Some of these can include:
- Wounds
- Bone Fractures
- Strains & Sprains
- Degenerative Joint Disease
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Inflammation
- Osteoarthritis
- Lick Granuloma
- Dental Procedures
- Post-Surgical Recovery
Speak to your vet if you would like to learn more about how your dog may benefit from veterinary laser therapy.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.