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September

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Pain Awareness Month

[/trx_title][trx_title type=”4″ align=”center” color=”#434544″ weight=”700″ bottom=”mini”]by Dr. Eileen Savier CVA, CVCH[/trx_title][vc_column_text]

He’s just getting older…

Sometimes the hardest part of my job is trying to convince an owner that their pet is in pain. It is a widespread belief that if a dog is eating (maybe not all of his food, but eating), drinking, and going to the bathroom then they are fine. I’ve been told, numerous times, but pup parents that their dog is not in pain because he still likes to go for his daily walks. These signs, unfortunately, do not paint the complete picture. Animals do feel pain just like humans do, but they communicate it differently and in the only ways they know how. It’s our responsibility to listen and help.

Subtle Signs

• Decreased activity
• Refusal to go up/down stairs
• Reluctance to jump up onto common surfaces (couch, bed, car seat, etc.)
• Difficulty standing after lying down
• Over grooming or licking a particular area
• Decreased appetite
• Increased panting, drooling, and lip licking can be signs of abdominal pain as well.

Pain Management

We have many modalities to improve pain in our pets – prescription foods, FDA approved joint supplements, anti-inflammatory pain medications (most are species specific, do not use over the counter pain medication without consulting your veterinarian), neuropathic pain modulating medications, acupuncture, laser, target electromagnetic therapy, and even physical therapy.

We are studying was to modulate pain all the time and there are many up and coming treatments that are showing promise in clinical trials.

If you are concerned about your pet discuss this with your veterinarian. If you do not have a diagnosis yet discuss things like x-rays, ultrasounds, or advanced imaging like CT or MRI. Advanced diagnostics are not always necessary but the more information we have about a condition the better we can treat it.

Partners in your pup’s health,

Dr. Eileen

[/vc_column_text][/trx_section][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1533135180690{margin-top: 40px !important;}”][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1533134942241{background-color: #d9ae4c !important;}”][trx_title type=”2″ align=”left” color=”#f6f2e4″ left=”20″ right=”20″]About Dr. Eileen Savier[/trx_title][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1533135315368{padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 30px !important;padding-left: 20px !important;}”]Barks & Recreation is proud to feature Dr. Eileen Savier CVA, CVCH as our Veterinary Blogger in our “From the Vet” Series. Currently part of the team of doctors at Keystone Veterinary Clinic, Dr. Savier is a 2012 Graduate of the Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, She completed her clinical experience at The Ohio State University and after veterinary school she pursued further education and certification in Veterinary Acupuncture, Chinese Herbal Medicine, and Fear Free veterinary visits. Dr. Savier has a special interest in integrative medicine, animal behavior, and internal medicine and is committed to improving animal health care by integrating Eastern and Western philosophies. She enjoys working with fearful & aggressive dogs and cats and she has had additional training in low stress handling techniques and encourages positive reinforcement during exams and procedures. Her clinical interests include pain management, animal behavior, geriatric patient care, and internal medicine. Dr. Savier is a member of the following associations:

• American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
• International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management (IVAPM)
• American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP)
• American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB)
• American Association of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (AATCVM)
• Ohio Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA)

Dr. Savier shares her home with two (soon to be three) dogs, two cats, and a toddler. She lovingly refers to her two dogs as Coconut Retrievers as they were rescue dogs she brought home from the island of St. Kitts. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her family, going to the beach, and planning her next Disney vacation.

Join us every month for Dr. Savier’s “From the Vet” series to get more information related to the health and welfare of your furry family members![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]