Whether we like to admit it or not, we all talk to our pets. Along with being our cuddle buddies, travel companions, workout partners and more, our furry friends are some of our best listeners.

And while we technically speak a different language than our pets, the fact of the matter is that we usually understand each other. However, for the times when we can’t exactly decipher what they are trying to say, this communication breakdown can prove unpleasant, especially when our pets are in pain.

Animals who are suffering from illness or injuries often try to hide their discomfort, especially as they get older. But, as responsible pet owners, we can stay on top of this by remembering that we need to always be cognizant of any changes in our pets’ behaviors.

If you notice anything off, or if you suspect your best friend is silently suffering, we encourage you to contact us as soon as possible so we can configure a plan to manage their pain.

There are a lot of long-term and short-term avenues for managing pain and helping our pets feel good. Our vets follow a protocol of pain identification, which focuses on the pain source, type of pain and severity of pain. These factors allow us to ultimately create a customized plan for each pet.

As far as pets who are experiencing long-term pain from chronic diseases, additional layers of medicine or other types of treatments may be necessary—it just all depends on the situation.

If your pet is in visible pain, or if their usual routine has been off, we encourage you to contact us at (502) 897-1000 or request an appointment online as soon as possible. With proper veterinary care, we can explore all avenues of treatment to help reduce or even eliminate pain for your furry friend.