Pain management is important for any condition that interferes with your dog's normal activity, appetite, interaction with you, and ability to have a good day. How pain is managed depends on the type and cause of the pain. Some pain can be cured, while other types of pain can only be managed. In any case, preventing and relieving pain is an important goal that you and your veterinarian can work toward together.

The first thing to realize is that complete elimination of pain isn't necessarily possible or desirable. The main goal is to help your dog cope with pain so she doesn't suffer. Successful pain management allows a dog to continue to engage in normal activities, such as eating, sleeping, moving around, and interacting with people or other animals.

Factors your veterinarian will take into account in approaching pain relief are your dog's breed, age, health status, personality, the drugs and techniques available, and the type, cause, and degree of pain.

Traditional Therapies

Medication is probably the first form of pain relief that most people think of, and most veterinarians use drugs with pain-relieving properties as the first line of defense against pain. The following list contains different types of drugs you might come across as a dog owner:

• OPIOIDS usually have the effects of dulling the senses, relieving pain, or inducing sleep. Opioid patches placed on a dog's skin can provide long-lasting and steady pain relief, unlike shorter-acting medications that can wear off before the next dose is given.

• ANALGESICS include local anesthetics, which numb only a particular area.

• NONSTEROIDAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUGS (NSAIDs) are often used to treat the chronic pain of arthritis or cancer. NSAIDs don't directly eliminate pain, but they can decreases it by treating inflammation. Several NSAIDs have been developed specifically for use in dogs, including carprofen, etodolac, meloxicam, and deracoxib.

• SEDATIVES work to decrease anxiety and can enhance the effectiveness of analgesic drugs, but they don't necessarily relieve pain in and of themselves. Never assume that a sedative or tranquilizer by itself will be enough to relieve your dog's pain. Acepromazine, or “ace,” is a commonly used sedative that does not provide much in the way of pain relief.

Dogs process drugs differently than people. Never give your dog any kind of pain-relief medication without first checking with your veterinarian. Tylenol and ibuprofen, for example, are toxic to dogs even in very small amounts.

Remember that your veterinarian is tailoring the type of drug, dose, and frequency of administration to your dog's individual needs. Just because your neighbor's dog is getting good pain relief from a certain medication doesn't mean that your dog will respond the same way. The dose and duration of effect of analgesic drugs varies greatly from dog to dog.

Your veterinarian may also choose to use a combination of analgesic drugs from different drug classes to achieve the best pain relief and reduce the risk of side effects. As your dog's needs change, your veterinarian may modify the dose or frequency of administration. He may also require periodic blood work to make sure the drug isn't affecting liver function, which is a common side effect.

Non-Medical Pain Management

Effective pain management goes beyond drugs. Keeping your dog comfortable will also help her feel better more quickly. Here are some tips to help you do this:

• If your dog is recovering at home, place her bed in a quiet, well-ventilated area.

• Take steps to limit any stress on your dog. She may love your kids and the neighbors' kids, but she's not up to dealing with them right now. Keep visits short and quiet.

• Your dog needs to eat well to recover, so diet is important right now. She may be in so much pain she doesn't feel like eating, but she needs nutrition in order to heal. Tempt your dog's appetite with canned food. If that doesn't work try warming her food in the microwave. Test it with your finger before giving to her to make sure there aren't any hot spots.

• Weight loss is another aspect of diet that can help relieve your dog's pain, especially if she suffers from an orthopedic condition such as arthritis or hip dysplasia. While there's no cure for osteoarthritis or hip dysplasia. While there's no cure for osteoarthritis or hip dysplasia, a weight-reduction plan may delay the need for surgery. This is especially important for large-breed dog.

Alternative Therapies for Pain Relief

So many people have found pain relief through alternative therapies such as acupuncture and chiropractic methods that they want their dogs to experience the same benefits. These types of alternative and complementary therapies are no longer unusual for animals; many traditionally trained veterinarians now offer their clients a full range of services by joining forces with or making referrals to practitioners that offer these treatments. Among the therapies that may benefit dogs are the following:

• Acupuncture
• Chiropractic therapy
• Magentic field therapy
• Massage
• Nutraceuticals

Few studies have been done to prove the effectiveness of these treatments. Much of what's known has been extrapolated from studies in humans. Nonetheless, many dog owners believe alternative therapies have made a difference in their pets' quality of life. Because not much is known about how or why certain treatments or techniques work in animals, always go to an experienced practitioner. Just because something is natural doesn't mean it's harmless.