Surgical Pain in Dogs

My dog must have surgery, and I don't want him to be in pain. How will my veterinarian keep my dog from feeling pain associated with the surgery?

Few events are more frightening for a pet parent than surgery. Fortunately, our understanding of pet pain – how it occurs, how it affects all body systems, how to prevent it, and how to treat it – has improved dramatically over the past 10–15 years.

"Your veterinarian will begin managing your pet's pain before the procedure even starts."

Your veterinarian will begin managing your pet's pain before the procedure even starts. This is called preemptive pain management: anticipating pain and providing medication ahead of time to reduce pain from the procedure. Before anesthesia, your dog will receive an injection of pain medication. The medication will travel through the bloodstream to all parts of the body, providing generalized protection and setting the stage for your dog's nervous system to be protected from the pain of the surgery.

What else will my veterinarian do to protect my dog from surgical pain?

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

Epidural anesthesia involves injection of medication into the space around the spinal cord to provide potent pain relief, like that used during human childbirth. This type of anesthesia is especially useful with procedures involving the hind end.

Another pain management strategy your veterinarian may use during surgery is continuous rate infusion (CRI), which involves the continuous intravenous flow of tiny doses of potent pain medications. Besides treating pain, CRI reduces the need for gas anesthesia so that a lower concentration can be used. A lower concentration of gas anesthesia means your pet will wake up faster and have fewer lingering effects. Because CRI is delivered with intravenous fluids, it can continue after the surgery and throughout recovery.

What about my dog's pain after the surgery is over?

Unless they are receiving CRI medications, most dogs receive an injection of narcotic pain reliever before, during or immediately after surgery. They also generally receive a dose of a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) to decrease pain and inflammation. Your veterinarian will determine precisely which medications should be given when and at what doses; the choice will depend on the surgery, your dog’s specific needs, and how healthy your dog is.

"The goal is to keep your dog as comfortable as possible before, during, and after surgery."

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

Will my dog come home with pain medication?

Any time a dog undergoes a surgical procedure, there is trauma to the tissues and pain relief is a critical element of the healing process. The medications used for at-home aftercare will depend on the nature of the surgery and the decision of your veterinarian. In general, an NSAID will provide the cornerstone of at-home postoperative care, and other medications may be added.

Your veterinarian's goal is to keep your dog as comfortable as possible before, during, and after surgery. Proper pain relief speeds healing and minimizes any unpleasantness your dog might experience. Do not be afraid to ask your veterinarian for details about your dog's pain management plan following surgery.