At Tenafly Veterinary Center in Tenafly, NJ, we believe that compassionate pain management is the foundation of great veterinary care. Pets cannot tell us when they're hurting — they often instinctively hide pain — which is why our team proactively screens for pain at every visit and builds individualized management plans for pets dealing with both acute and chronic conditions.

Recognizing Pain in Pets

Animals are instinctively wired to conceal weakness. By the time a pet visibly shows signs of discomfort, pain may already be significant. Signs of pain in dogs and cats include:
  • Decreased activity or reluctance to move
  • Changes in posture (hunching, unusual sitting or lying positions)
  • Reduced appetite or interest in food
  • Licking, biting, or guarding a specific area
  • Behavioral changes — increased aggression, withdrawal, or restlessness
  • Vocalizing (whining, growling, whimpering) without apparent cause
  • Difficulty rising, climbing stairs, or jumping

Acute Pain Management

Acute pain typically arises from an injury, trauma, or surgical procedure and has a defined recovery timeline — usually resolving within days to weeks with appropriate treatment. Our team addresses acute pain aggressively and promptly because untreated pain delays healing, increases stress hormones, and reduces immune function.

Acute pain management at Tenafly Veterinary Center may include:

  • Pre- and post-operative pain medications (NSAIDs, opioids, local nerve blocks)
  • Injectable pain relief for immediate effect
  • Take-home pain medications with clear dosing instructions
  • Follow-up appointments to assess recovery progress

Chronic Pain Management

Chronic pain arises from long-term conditions such as osteoarthritis, degenerative joint disease, cancer, or dental disease. Our goal in chronic pain cases is not necessarily to eliminate pain entirely, but to reduce it to a level where your pet can live comfortably, move freely, and enjoy a good quality of life.

Our chronic pain toolkit includes:

  • NSAIDs — anti-inflammatory medications carefully dosed and monitored
  • Adequan injections — the only FDA-approved injectable treatment for canine osteoarthritis, addressing the disease rather than just symptoms
  • Librela (dogs) — a once-monthly monoclonal antibody injection that targets the key driver of OA pain
  • Solensia (cats) — the first and only FDA-approved treatment for feline OA pain, given as a monthly injection
  • Class IV Laser Therapy — non-invasive, drug-free photobiomodulation that reduces inflammation and accelerates healing
  • Therapeutic diets — specifically JM (joint mobility) diet to support musculoskeletal health
  • Weight management — every pound of excess weight adds significant stress to joints in arthritic pets

Annual Pain Screening

We incorporate pain screening into every annual wellness exam. Arthritis, in particular, begins years before clinical signs become obvious. By the time most pet owners notice limping or stiffness, significant joint damage has often already occurred. Early detection and early intervention make a measurable difference in long-term outcome and quality of life.

Frequently Asked Questions

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