Surgery Pain in Dogs, And What Can Help Dogs Pain Less After Surgery?

My dog has to undergo surgery and I don't want to cause him pain. How will my veterinarian prevent my dog from experiencing pain associated with surgery?

For pet parents, there is nothing scarier than surgery. While surgery may sometimes be unavoidable, fortunately, our understanding of pain in pets—how it occurs, how it affects all body systems, how to prevent it, and how to treat it—has evolved over the past 5 to 10 years Significantly improved.

"It's important to anticipate pain and provide medications ahead of time to reduce its impact."

Your veterinarian will start managing your pet's pain even before surgery begins. This is called preemptive pain management -- anticipating pain and providing medications ahead of time to reduce the painful impact of surgery. Therefore, your dog will receive pain medication injections before being anesthetized. The medication will travel through the bloodstream to all parts of the body, providing total protection and providing protection to your dog's nervous system from the pain of the procedure.

What else can my veterinarian do to protect my dog from the pain of surgery?

Once your dog is under general anesthesia, your veterinarian will inject local anesthesia (sometimes called cryotherapy) around the planned incision site to prevent pain signals from reaching the central nervous system. Depending on the nature of the procedure, your veterinarian may choose other pain management strategies, such as an epidural.

An epidural involves injecting drugs into the space around the spinal cord to provide effective pain relief, similar to what some women experience during labor.

Another pain management strategy your veterinarian may use during surgery is called a continuous infusion (CRI), which involves a continuous intravenous flow of very small doses of powerful pain medication. In addition to treating pain, CRIs reduce the need for gas anesthesia, so lower concentrations can be used. Lower concentrations of gas anesthesia mean your pet will wake up sooner and have fewer lingering effects. Because the CRI is delivered by IV fluid, it can be continued throughout the recovery process after surgery.

What to do about my dog's pain after surgery?

Most dogs will be given an injection of narcotic pain medication immediately after surgery, unless they are on CRI medication. They also usually receive doses of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce pain and inflammation. Your veterinarian will determine exactly which medications should be given and at what dose; the choice will depend on the particular procedure and the specific needs of the patient.

Some postoperative canine patients may also undergo physical medicine modalities to reduce pain and inflammation. These may include cold therapy (ice packs), laser therapy, acupuncture and/or massage. Every surgical patient is unique, so each pain management strategy is fine-tuned to meet the individual dog's needs. The goal is to make your dog as comfortable as possible before, during, and after surgery.

Will my dog come home with pain medication?

Anytime a dog undergoes surgery, tissue is traumatized, and pain relief is a key factor in the healing process. The specific medications used for home postoperative care will depend on the nature of the surgery and the veterinarian's decision. In general, NSAIDs will provide the cornerstone of home postoperative care, with other medications possibly added.

Your veterinarian's goal is to keep your dog as comfortable as possible before, during, and after surgery. Good pain relief speeds up healing and minimizes any unpleasantness your dog may be experiencing. Don't be afraid to ask your veterinarian for specific details about your dog's post-surgery pain management plan.