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HAPPY OCTOBER FROM ALL OF US!!
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“DIVINUM EST OPUS SEDARE DOLOREM”
(Divine is the work to relieve pain)
- Hippocrates
Pain is an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with tissue damage. Many of the surgical procedures performed on your pets can be uncomfortable and painful, but a lot of dogs and cats appear to tolerate pain with ease. It is assumed they hide pain in order to not show weakness, as if in a “pack” scenario.
Some pets are rather stoic by nature and therefore assessing pain via behavior is difficult. In order to provide a higher level of veterinary care to our patients, we offer pain control before and after surgery for your pet. An injection prior to surgery is administered to prevent the start of the pain cascade. The anesthetics commonly used during surgical procedures also provide for pain control during the procedure and for a short time afterward while the animal is recovering. Part of the pain control package includes prescription medication sent home for short term use after surgery.
With procedures such as bone fracture repair, declawing cats, or soft tissue surgery following a traumatic event, it is obvious the animal is in pain, and pain management is mandatory for their surgery and recovery. Objective studies assessing pain in animals following minor surgery such as neuters or spays have found evidence of pain which slows healing, therefore pain management is strongly recommended.
Pain management is also helpful for pets that are experiencing painful chronic diseases such as osteoarthritis, degenerative joint disease, and certain cancers. Since the long term use of pain control drugs may cause side effects in some animals, bloodwork monitoring is recommended on a regular basis.
If you are interested in pain management for your pet, ask us. We can tailor a plan specifically for your pet.
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The Staff of Asclepius -
Symbol of the Veterinarian
The symbol associated with veterinary medicine is a modification of the traditional symbol of medicine, the staff of Asclepius, with a single serpent encircling it and a large “V” overlying it.
Asclepius was most probably a skilled physician who practiced medicine in ancient Greece. Eventually through myth and legend he came to be worshipped as Asclepius, the Greek god of healing.
The serpent encircling the staff is likely based upon the parasite Dracunculus medinensis also known as “the fiery serpent” that crawls under the skin of patients afflicted with it. The parasite is removed from just below the skin by cutting the skin over the head of the parasite and then wrapping it around a stick to pull out. Ancient physicians advertised their services by displaying a sign with the worm wrapped around a stick!
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A NOTE ON TRICK OR TREATING!!!!
Pets may become anxious with all the unusual activity of trick or treaters at your door. Keep them in a separate, quiet space to reduce anxiety and the chance of escape and keep chocolate AWAY from your pets! It can be toxic!
The Doctors & Staff at Heart Arrow wishes you a safe and Happy Halloween!
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