Our veterinary team provides pain management for dogs and cats in Madison Heights, Royal Oak, Warren, Troy, Hazel Park, Ferndale, Berkley, Sterling Heights, and nearby Michigan communities.
Pain Changes Everything. So Can the Right Care.
Pain changes everything. A dog who used to bound up the stairs may now hesitate at the bottom. A cat who loved to be held may tense up when you reach for her. These changes can be easy to dismiss or blame on aging, but they are often signs that your pet is hurting, and hurting pets deserve relief.
At Madison Veterinary Hospital, pain management is not an afterthought or a single prescription. It is a thoughtful, individualized approach that considers your pet’s condition, age, health history, and quality of life.
We use a range of tools, from targeted medications to therapeutic laser and supportive therapies, to build a pain management plan that works for your individual pet.
AAHA-accredited and named one of Newsweek’s Best Veterinary Hospitals in America in both 2025 and 2026, our practice has spent more than 50 years caring for pets throughout the metro Detroit area with the attention and compassion that makes a real difference in how they feel day to day.
Recognizing Pain in Your Pet
Pets are instinctively wired to hide pain. It is a survival instinct, and it means that by the time an animal shows obvious signs of discomfort, they may have been hurting for a while.
Knowing the subtle signs of pain is one of the most important things a pet owner can learn.
Signs of Pain in Dogs
Common signs of pain in dogs may include:
- Limping or favoring a limb, even off and on
- Reluctance to go up or down stairs
- Difficulty jumping into the car
- Trouble rising from lying down
- Reduced activity or less interest in play
- Changes in posture, gait, or head position
- Licking, chewing, or guarding a specific area
- Changes in appetite or water intake
- Unusual aggression, irritability, or withdrawal
- Whimpering, panting, or restlessness at rest
- Loss of muscle mass, especially over the hindquarters
Signs of Pain in Cats
Common signs of pain in cats may include:
- Reduced grooming or a dull coat
- Hiding or withdrawing from interaction
- Less jumping or avoiding familiar elevated spots
- Changes in litter box habits
- Facial tension, squinting, or flattened ears
- Reduced appetite
- Hissing, swatting, or reacting when touched
- A hunched posture or tucked abdomen
If you notice any of these signs in your pet, please do not wait. Early pain intervention often leads to better comfort, better movement, and better long term outcomes.
Conditions We Manage
Pain management at Madison Veterinary Hospital supports pets dealing with a wide range of conditions.
Arthritis and Degenerative Joint Disease
Osteoarthritis is one of the most common sources of chronic pain in dogs and cats. It is also underdiagnosed, especially in cats.
Arthritis affects joints throughout the body and can worsen over time without care. Effective management can improve comfort, mobility, and daily quality of life.
Post Surgical Pain
Every surgical patient at our practice receives a proactive pain management plan. This begins before the procedure, continues during surgery, and carries through the recovery period at home.
Managing post-surgical pain well can support better healing and a smoother recovery.
Orthopedic and Spinal Conditions
Cruciate disease, luxating patella, hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and intervertebral disc disease can all cause significant pain.
These conditions often benefit from targeted pain management alongside medical care, rehabilitation, or surgical treatment when needed.
Dental and Oral Pain
Dental disease is one of the most overlooked sources of daily chronic pain in pets. Professional dental care is the main treatment, but pain management can help support comfort before and after dental procedures.
Cancer-Related Pain
For pets managing a cancer diagnosis, quality of life is always a priority. Pain management is a key part of supportive care, and our team approaches these cases with sensitivity toward both the pet’s comfort and the family’s emotional experience.
Soft Tissue Injuries and Acute Pain
Strains, sprains, wounds, and trauma related pain may respond well to a combination of appropriate medications and supportive therapies. The goal is to help the body heal while keeping your pet comfortable.
Chronic Medical Conditions
Kidney disease, pancreatitis, gastrointestinal disorders, and other long term medical conditions can involve discomfort. Pain management may be part of a broader care plan for pets with complex health histories.
Our Approach to Multimodal Pain Management
The most effective pain management in veterinary medicine is often multimodal. This means combining more than one method of pain control to target pain through different pathways.
This approach can help provide better pain relief while reducing the need for high doses of any single medication.
At Madison Veterinary Hospital, our pain management options may include the following.
Prescription Pain Medications
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are commonly used for chronic pain management in many dogs when appropriate and properly monitored.
We may also use medications such as gabapentin, amantadine, tramadol, or other options for nerve pain, chronic pain sensitization, or cases where certain medications are not appropriate.
Cats require special care when choosing pain medication because of their unique metabolism. Our veterinarians are experienced in selecting pain management options for feline patients.
Therapeutic Laser
Our veterinary therapeutic laser uses targeted light energy to help reduce inflammation, improve circulation, and support cellular healing at the pain site.
Laser therapy is non-invasive, well tolerated by many pets, and may provide relief for arthritis, soft tissue injuries, post-surgical sites, and chronic pain conditions. Many pets visibly relax during treatments.
Injectable Therapies
For dogs with osteoarthritis, Librela is a monthly injectable monoclonal antibody therapy that targets a key driver of arthritis pain. It may be an option for appropriate canine patients.
Solensia is a similar monthly injectable option for cats with arthritis. Our veterinarians can discuss whether these treatments may be suitable for your pet.
Joint Supplements
Omega-3 fatty acids, glucosamine, and chondroitin may support joint health and help reduce inflammation as part of a broader pain management plan.
Supplements are not a replacement for veterinary care, but they can be useful when selected carefully and used consistently.
Weight Management
Every pound of excess body weight adds stress to the joints, spine, and cardiovascular system. For overweight pets with pain related conditions, weight loss can be one of the most helpful changes we recommend.
Our team supports this through nutritional counselling, regular monitoring, and practical advice that fits your pet’s needs.
Environmental Modifications
Some of the most meaningful comfort changes happen at home. Orthopedic bedding, ramps, steps, raised food and water dishes, non slip rugs, and lower entry litter boxes can all reduce daily discomfort.
We can discuss which home changes make the most sense for your pet’s condition and lifestyle.
Pain Management Across Life Stages
Pain can affect pets at any age, but the causes and treatment plans often change as pets grow older.
Puppies and Young Adults
Young pets may experience acute pain from injuries, post-surgical recovery, or developmental orthopedic conditions.
We treat pain in young animals proactively because untreated pain can affect healing, movement, and long-term comfort.
Middle-Aged Pets
Middle age is when early arthritis, dental disease, and other chronic conditions often begin to appear.
Catching these concerns early gives us the best chance to manage pain before it becomes severe.
Senior Pets
Chronic pain management is one of the most important services we provide for aging pets.
A senior dog or cat who is comfortable, mobile, and engaged has a much better quality of life than one who is quietly hurting.
We approach senior pain management as an ongoing partnership with you. Regular wellness exams and periodic bloodwork help us monitor medication safety, adjust treatment plans, and catch new sources of pain early.
Your Pet Does Not Have to Hurt
One of the most rewarding things we do at Madison Veterinary Hospital is help a family realize that what they thought was their pet slowing down with age was actually treatable pain.
Watching a dog rediscover interest in walks or a cat return to a favorite sunny spot reminds us why pain management matters so much.
If you are concerned that your pet may be in pain, or if you want to have a proactive conversation about keeping them comfortable as they age, our team is here to help.
Families from Madison Heights, Royal Oak, Troy, Ferndale, Sterling Heights, and throughout the metro Detroit area have trusted us with these conversations for more than 50 years.
Related Veterinary Services
Pain management often connects with other diagnostic, surgical, and supportive care services. Based on your pet’s condition, our team may also recommend related care options.
