Pain is something every pet owner hopes their dog or cat never experiences. Most people think of pain management as something that happens after surgery, following an injury, or once a medical condition has already been diagnosed.
But one of the biggest advances in veterinary medicine over the past several decades has been a shift in thinking: the best pain management often begins before pain becomes established.
During Animal Pain Awareness Month, veterinary professionals around the world are highlighting an important message championed by the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management (IVAPM): pain should be anticipated, prevented whenever possible, recognized early, and treated appropriately throughout a pet’s life.
At Boundary Bay Veterinary Specialty Hospital (BBVSH) Surrey, pain management is not limited to one service or one medication. Whether a patient is recovering from surgery, receiving cancer treatment, living with arthritis, healing after trauma, or managing a neurological condition, our specialists work together to develop individualized pain management plans that support healing, comfort, and quality of life.
Pain Is More Than a Symptom
Pain serves an important biological purpose. It alerts the body that something is wrong and encourages us—or our pets—to protect an injured area while it heals.
However, pain that is severe, prolonged, or left untreated can become a medical problem of its own.
Scientists now understand that ongoing pain can actually change how the nervous system processes painful signals. Over time, the body can become increasingly sensitive, making pain more difficult to control and recovery more challenging.
This is one reason why veterinary medicine has increasingly focused on preventing pain before it becomes established, rather than simply reacting once a pet is already uncomfortable.
By minimizing pain early, veterinarians can often improve healing, reduce stress, encourage normal movement, and help pets return to their usual routines more comfortably.
Pain Isn’t Limited to Surgery
Many owners associate pain management with surgical procedures, but surgery is only one situation where pain control is important.
Pain can occur with many medical conditions, including:
- Arthritis and other joint diseases
- Ligament and tendon injuries
- Fractures and traumatic injuries
- Intervertebral disc disease (IVDD) and other neurological conditions
- Cancer
- Pancreatitis
- Dental disease
- Ear infections
- Urinary tract disorders
- Certain internal medicine conditions
Some of these conditions cause obvious discomfort. Others develop gradually, making changes so subtle that owners may mistake them for normal aging or slowing down.
Recognizing and addressing pain early often leads to better long-term outcomes.
Modern Pain Management Begins Before a Procedure
One of the greatest advances in veterinary anesthesia and surgery has been the concept of pre-emptive analgesia—providing pain relief before painful stimulation occurs.
Rather than waiting until after surgery to treat discomfort, today’s specialists develop individualized pain management plans before anesthesia even begins.
Depending on the procedure and the patient, this may include medications administered before surgery, local anesthetics that numb specific nerves, carefully selected anesthetic techniques, and continuous monitoring throughout the procedure.
By reducing pain before it starts, patients often wake up more comfortably and require less medication during recovery.
This proactive approach has become an important part of modern veterinary care across many specialties.
Why One Medication Usually Isn’t Enough
Pain is surprisingly complex.
Different tissues, nerves, and areas of the brain all contribute to how pain is experienced. Because of this, relying on a single medication often doesn’t provide the best relief.
Instead, veterinary specialists frequently use what’s known as multimodal pain management.
This means combining several therapies that work in different ways to control pain while reducing the risk of side effects associated with higher doses of any single medication.
Depending on the individual patient, a pain management plan may include:
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Opioid medications when appropriate
- Local anesthetics and nerve blocks
- Medications that target nerve pain
- Physical rehabilitation and therapeutic exercise
- Other supportive therapies tailored to the patient’s condition
By addressing pain through multiple pathways, veterinarians can often provide more effective and individualized care.
Pain Doesn’t Always Look Like Pain
One of the challenges of recognizing pain in animals is that dogs and cats rarely cry out or clearly show they’re hurting.
Instead, they often make gradual changes to their behaviour.
A pet experiencing pain may:
- Become less active
- Sleep more than usual
- Hesitate to jump or climb stairs
- Walk more slowly
- Become withdrawn or hide
- Show less interest in family activities
- Be reluctant to play or exercise
- Eat less than normal
Because these changes often develop gradually, they are sometimes dismissed as “just getting older.”
In reality, many age-related behavioural changes may reflect treatable pain rather than simply the aging process itself.
Better Pain Control Helps Pets Recover Better
Pain management isn’t only about comfort.
Research has shown that effective pain control can positively influence many aspects of recovery.
Pets whose pain is well managed are often more willing to:
- Eat sooner
- Walk earlier after surgery
- Participate in rehabilitation
- Rest more comfortably
- Experience less stress during hospitalization
These improvements can contribute to smoother recoveries and better overall quality of life.
Pain Management Is a Team Effort
At a specialty hospital, pain management often involves collaboration among multiple services.
A patient recovering from orthopedic surgery may benefit from coordinated care between Surgery and Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation.
A dog undergoing cancer treatment may receive pain management support from Oncology while also working with Internal Medicine or Surgery.
Patients recovering from trauma, neurological disease, or complex medical illnesses may require coordinated pain management involving Emergency & Critical Care, Neurology, Internal Medicine, Diagnostic Imaging, Surgery, and other specialty teams.
By combining expertise from multiple disciplines, specialists can develop pain management plans that are tailored to each patient’s diagnosis, overall health, and long-term needs.
Pain Prevention Continues After Your Pet Goes Home
Effective pain management doesn’t end when a patient leaves the hospital.
Recovery continues at home, and owners play an important role by:
- Giving medications exactly as prescribed
- Restricting activity when recommended
- Attending scheduled recheck appointments
- Watching for changes in mobility, appetite, or behaviour
- Reporting any concerns to their veterinary team promptly
Ongoing communication helps ensure pain management plans continue to meet a pet’s changing needs throughout recovery.
Helping Pets Stay Comfortable Throughout Life
Pain should never be considered an inevitable part of aging or something pets simply have to live with.
Advances in veterinary medicine continue to improve our understanding of how pain develops, how it affects the body, and how it can be prevented or managed more effectively than ever before.
At Boundary Bay Veterinary Specialty Hospital Surrey, our specialists work closely with family veterinarians throughout British Columbia to provide advanced diagnostics, surgery, rehabilitation, emergency care, oncology, neurology, internal medicine, and other specialty services with one shared goal: helping pets stay as comfortable as possible throughout every stage of treatment and recovery.
Whether a pet is recovering from surgery, managing a chronic illness, or facing a complex medical condition, thoughtful pain prevention and individualized pain management are essential parts of providing the highest standard of veterinary care.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pain Prevention and Pain Management in Dogs and Cats
What is pain prevention in veterinary medicine?
Pain prevention is the practice of anticipating and managing pain before it becomes severe or prolonged. Modern veterinary medicine focuses on preventing pain whenever possible, rather than waiting until a pet is already uncomfortable. This approach helps improve comfort, healing, and overall recovery.
Why is preventing pain important for pets?
Untreated pain can affect much more than comfort. It can increase stress, slow healing, reduce mobility, decrease appetite, and make recovery more difficult. Managing pain early helps pets recover more comfortably and return to their normal activities sooner.
Do veterinarians treat pain before surgery?
Yes. Today, pain management often begins before surgery through a process called pre-emptive analgesia. Veterinarians may administer pain medications or local anesthetics before a procedure to reduce pain during and after surgery and help pets recover more comfortably.
What is multimodal pain management?
Multimodal pain management means using multiple therapies that work in different ways to control pain. Rather than relying on a single medication, veterinarians may combine anti-inflammatory medications, local anesthetics, opioids, nerve pain medications, rehabilitation, and other treatments to provide more effective pain relief while minimizing side effects.
Is surgery the only time pets need pain management?
No. Many medical conditions can cause pain, including arthritis, orthopedic injuries, neurological disorders, cancer, pancreatitis, dental disease, ear infections, and other illnesses. Pain management is an important part of treating many conditions—not just surgical recovery.
How can I tell if my dog or cat is in pain?
Pets often hide pain, making it difficult to recognize. Signs may include sleeping more, moving more slowly, reluctance to jump or climb stairs, decreased activity, changes in appetite, hiding, or becoming less interested in family interactions or play.
Is slowing down just a normal part of aging?
Not always. While aging can affect mobility, many older pets slow down because they are experiencing pain from conditions such as arthritis or other chronic diseases. A veterinary examination can help determine whether pain is contributing to these changes and whether treatment may improve your pet’s quality of life.
What conditions commonly cause pain in dogs and cats?
Pain can result from many different medical conditions, including arthritis, ligament injuries, fractures, spinal disease, cancer, pancreatitis, dental disease, ear infections, urinary tract disorders, and certain internal medicine conditions.
Why doesn’t my pet cry or whine if they’re in pain?
Dogs and cats often instinctively hide signs of pain. Instead of vocalizing, they are more likely to show subtle behavioral changes such as reduced activity, reluctance to exercise, changes in posture, decreased appetite, or withdrawing from normal family activities.
What are nerve blocks for pets?
Nerve blocks are local anesthetic techniques that temporarily numb specific nerves during surgical or dental procedures. They help reduce pain during surgery and often decrease the amount of pain medication needed during recovery.
Does good pain control help pets heal faster?
Effective pain management supports recovery by helping pets eat sooner, move more comfortably, participate in rehabilitation, rest better, and experience less stress during healing. These benefits can contribute to improved overall recovery and quality of life.
Does pain management continue after my pet goes home?
Yes. Pain management is an ongoing part of recovery. Pet owners play an important role by giving medications as prescribed, following activity restrictions, attending recheck appointments, and monitoring for changes in mobility, appetite, or behavior.
Can chronic pain be managed?
In many cases, yes. While some conditions cannot be cured, chronic pain can often be successfully managed through individualized treatment plans that may include medications, weight management, rehabilitation, and other supportive therapies to improve comfort and quality of life.
Which veterinary specialists are involved in pain management?
Pain management is often a collaborative effort involving multiple specialties. Depending on your pet’s condition, specialists in Surgery, Emergency & Critical Care, Internal Medicine, Neurology, Oncology, Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation, and other services may work together to develop a comprehensive pain management plan.
When should my pet be evaluated for pain?
If your dog or cat has changes in mobility, activity level, appetite, behaviour, or appears less comfortable than usual, it’s a good idea to schedule a veterinary examination. Early recognition and treatment of pain can improve your pet’s comfort, recovery, and long-term quality of life.
