Multi-Modal Pain Control

If you have senior pets with arthritis or pets with chronic medical conditions, your veterinarian may have suggested one or more different ways to mediate discomfort. A combination of medications, treatments and therapies used together to moderate pain is called "multi-modal pain control" and is very common in today's veterinary practices.

In general, most painful conditions are treated initially with oral medications such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatories like Carprofen or Previcox, depending on the cause of pain. Other oral medications like anti-depressants, Gabapentin or Prednisone are also commonly used to manage your pet's discomfort. Topical medications come into play as well. These can include topical steroids, anti-itch ointments, a variety of sprays and even pain patches if there is severe orthopedic pain.

These medications have been used for years and are an excellent first-line approach. Many veterinary practitioners are now also offering acupuncture, laser therapy and chiropractic treatments as a mixture of ways to alleviate pain for your animal companions.

Acupuncture originated in Chinese medicine and was first introduced for small animals in the United States in 1971. Acupuncture focuses on correcting any energy imbalances in the body. It is used, often in conjunction with the therapies listed above, to create a healing response. It requires the insertion of fine needles into an animal's body into identified points called meridians. This stimulates blood flow while also relaxing various muscles. While it is most often used to moderate chronic pain and loss of mobility from joint disease or arthritis, acupuncture can also be used to reduce pain, nausea and poor appetite resulting from cancer treatments in pets. It has been used in conjunction with other treatments for skin conditions, gastrointestinal problems and even metabolic conditions like diabetes.

Low-Level laser therapy is another component of multi-modal pain control. Lasers can help treat a variety of chronic and acute medical conditions by reducing pain and inflammation, promoting quicker healing, better mobility and cellular regeneration. Laser therapy can help with a variety of conditions such as hip dysplasia, spinal disc disease, osteoarthritis, gingivitis and wound care. Some clinicians are even using lasers after routine elective surgeries to reduce post-operative pain and to facilitate better healing.

Chiropractic care is becoming more popular in veterinary clinics and is one of the few modalities where results or improvements are often immediate or within minutes of treatment. Chiropractic care involves manipulating the body's spine in order to modify discomfort or reduce progression of disease. In small animals, not wanting to jump or play or moving in an unusual position or angle might indicate something is out of alignment. In horses, uneven gaits, bucking while under tack or even resisting the bridle can indicate a need for a chiropractic veterinary visit.

Multi-modal therapy can lead to less oral or topical medication use. Acupuncture, laser therapy and chiropractic care can be used on all animals of all ages. As with any medical care, make sure your veterinarian is properly trained in both animal anatomy and practices with a veterinary license. If you have questions about your animal's health, always contact your veterinary provider for care.