As a hospice and palliative care veterinarian, treating pain is one of the most important—and complex—parts of my role. Supporting older and often terminally ill pets in a home setting means navigating chronic pain that can profoundly affect their comfort and quality of life.
Understanding Pain in Ageing Pets
Chronic pain commonly stems from conditions such as cancer, osteoarthritis, and other degenerative illnesses. For many pet owners, managing this pain becomes the defining factor in end-of-life decisions—balancing love, dignity, and compassion.
Our pets are living longer than ever, and with increased longevity comes a higher likelihood of developing persistent pain conditions, not unlike what we see in human healthcare.
New Resources for Pet Owners
We’re thrilled to see advancements in this field, including the launches of a Chronic Pain Clinics in several referral centres in the UK.
These initiatives represents a meaningful step forward in recognising and treating the complex nature of chronic pain in pets—offering new pathways of support for families seeking relief for their animal companions.
Being able to manage chronic pain in your elderly pet can often be one of the key elements in decision making.
Spotting the Signs
One of the greatest challenges in managing chronic pain is that it often hides in plain sight. Symptoms can be subtle and easily mistaken for normal ageing, including:
- Reduced interest in play or walks
- Hesitation with stairs or jumping
- Changes in mood or social behaviour
- Stiffness or limping after rest
Gentle, In-Home Pain Assessment
At Dignipets, we understand how difficult it can be to assess pain in a clinical setting—especially when pets instinctively mask discomfort. That’s why we offer online pain and quality of life assessments, allowing us to observe your pet in a calm, familiar environment.
These visits help us gently uncover signs of pain without stress or pressure, giving you and your pet the time and space needed to make thoughtful decisions together.
📞 To learn more or to arrange a pain and quality of life assessment online, please call us at 0333 3208731.
Every pet deserves comfort, care, and dignity in every chapter of life—and we’re here to help make that possible.
