Pain Control for Dogs With Cancer

When canine companions are going through cancer treatment, pain control is essential. Limiting the animal's pain will give a dog more energy to recover. However, making this happen requires the human companion to make a significant commitment that involves dedicating finances to the cost of medications and time to administer it at regular intervals.

  1. Pain Is Real

    • If your pooch has cancer, he most likely has some level of pain. While pain management and cancer treatment are fairly new in veterinary medicine, some veterinarians are now specializing in oncology. The International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management (IVAPM) was founded in 2003 to advance the cause of recognizing animal pain and promoting research and education in the field.

    Symptoms of Pain

    • While your dog can't verbalize, "I am in pain," she still can tell you it hurts. Behavior is a dog's most used mode of communication. If a dog does not want to move or climb stairs, chances are she is in pain. Other pain signals include withdrawn behavior, not wanting to be touched or groomed, loss of appetite and a general depressed appearance that will include hanging her head low.

    Levels of Pain

    • According to the IVAPM, dogs can experience mild to moderate pain when muscle biopsies are performed. Moderate to severe pain occurs when a mastectomy or the removal of breast tissue is necessary and when operating on the upper abdominal area. Surgery in the neck, nose and chest area can cause severe pain, according to the organization's website.

    Pharmaceutical Pain Control

    • A host of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs better known as NSAIDS are now available for pain in dogs. They include carprofen, meloxicam, etodolac, firocoxib, zubrin, deracoxxib and ketoprofen, according to the IVAPM website. Steroids such as prednisone and opiates such as codeine and morphine are also commonly used to help control a dog's long-term pain.

    Tender Loving Care

    • A comfortable bed helps a dog with pain.

      Aside from medications to ease pain, dogs with cancer need comfortable and supportive bedding to lay upon. If you use an indoor kennel, you might consider heating the kennel or placing warmed blankets in the kennel at night. Dietary supplements can boost a dog's immune system and aid in the fight against the cancer. A quiet area to rest is also a good idea.