When a pet is in pain, they often hide it — a survival instinct that can delay diagnosis and treatment. Recognizing subtle signs of discomfort and treating them promptly makes a real difference in your pet’s quality of life. At Stonebridge Veterinary Wellness, we don’t just treat pain — we approach it strategically with a multimodal plan targeting multiple pain pathways at once.
Our Roseville team includes a veterinarian certified in pain management, working alongside our board-certified surgeon to create patient-specific pain protocols for arthritis, surgical recovery, chronic conditions, and developmental issues. Pain management is a key part of our senior pet care, since arthritis and other chronic pain conditions become more common as pets age. We serve pets in Roseville, Rocklin, Lincoln, Granite Bay, Citrus Heights and surrounding areas.
Pain management is an art form. Whether we are managing pain for a patient with multiple joint osteoarthritis, developmental conditions such as canine hip dysplasia or elbow dysplasia, “growing pains” like panosteitis, or making pets as comfortable as possible during a dental procedure or surgery – including pain following broken leg and hip surgery, Stonebridge Veterinary Wellness uses multi-modal pain control. This means selecting pain medications that work by different methods to block separate pain pathways or pain receptors responsible for the body’s pain response. In this way, the multi-modal pain control approach allows better and more effective pain control. At Stonebridge Veterinary Wellness, we also make a specific, multi-modal pain control protocol for each patient that best targets their individual needs.
Our multi-modal protocols are built from a combination of the following:
Stonebridge elevates its commitment to pain control in pets by offering consultations with a team approach. Our team consists of our primary care veterinarian, board-certified surgeon and veterinarian certified in pain management. Make an appointment today to see what services we offer!
Did you know? Pets don’t always exhibit pain in the same way we do. Limping is a sign of pain! If your pet is limping, refusing to jump or use stairs, walking slower, has difficulty getting up, is avoiding slippery floors, or is grumpier than usual, these are signs of pain, and they are not always sudden onset. They could be gradual over time or waxing and waning with good and bad days. None of us wants our pets to be in pain, but we may not always realize that they are. It is important to get ahead of the pain to best treat it. The first step is identifying the pain response and the source. Our doctors will do a thorough physical exam to localize the pain, and we will provide you with the best options for treatment. Pain management comes in many forms, from medications, local blocks, nerve blocks, life-style changes, dietary management, physical therapy, alternative modalities, and in some cases, surgery. Make an appointment so we can help your pet live their best life possible!
Pain in pets can come from many sources, and recognizing the underlying cause helps our team choose the most effective treatment approach. Osteoarthritis is one of the most common causes of chronic pain in dogs and cats, particularly as they age, and it often develops in the hips, elbows, knees, and spine. Hip and elbow dysplasia can also cause ongoing joint pain in predisposed breeds, sometimes beginning earlier in life than typical arthritis.
Post-surgical pain is another area where our multi-modal approach makes a meaningful difference, since combining medications with techniques like laser therapy or nerve blocks can reduce discomfort more effectively than a single medication alone. Pets recovering from cancer treatment, dental procedures, or traumatic injuries such as fractures may also need ongoing pain support as part of their broader treatment plan. Our veterinarian certified in pain management works with your pet’s primary doctor to build a protocol suited to the specific source and severity of their discomfort.
Every pain management plan starts with a thorough physical exam to help our team localize the source of discomfort and rule out other underlying conditions. We consider your pet’s age, breed, activity level, and any existing health conditions before recommending a combination of treatments, since a plan that works well for one pet may not be right for another.
Once a plan is in place, we monitor how your pet responds and adjust the approach as needed. Some pets do well with a stable, long-term protocol, while others need periodic changes as their condition progresses or as they recover from surgery or injury. Regular follow-up visits allow us to reassess pain levels and confirm the current plan is still providing the comfort your pet needs.
Pet families in Roseville often ask the following questions about pain management for their dogs and cats.
Watch for limping, decreased activity, difficulty standing, or changes in eating and behavior. Pets instinctively hide pain, so visible signs often mean more discomfort than appears. Contact us for an exam so our team can develop a pain management plan tailored to your pet.
Options include medications, nerve blocks, laser therapy, acupuncture, physical therapy, dietary adjustments, and lifestyle changes. We use a multi-modal approach that targets different pain pathways at once, and our veterinarian certified in pain management helps determine the best combination for your pet.
Yes, our pain management protocols can include supplements like glucosamine and chondroitin, fish oil, weight management, and rehabilitation therapy alongside medications. These approaches work best as part of a broader, individualized plan developed with our veterinary team for your pet.
No, pets of any age can experience pain from injury, surgery, or a chronic condition. Our team creates age-appropriate, safe pain management protocols for pets at every life stage, adjusting the approach based on your pet’s specific needs and health status.
Pets do not experience addiction the way people do, but pain medications are still carefully monitored for safe, effective use. Dosing differs between pets and humans, so it is important to follow our veterinarian’s instructions exactly rather than adjusting doses on your own.
Provide soft bedding, limit stairs and slippery floors, and help maintain a healthy weight. Following the treatment plan from our Stonebridge Veterinary Wellness team, including any prescribed medications or therapy, supports your pet’s comfort and reduces unnecessary stress at home.
New clients only
Give your furry family member the preventive care they deserve. Schedule your pet's comprehensive wellness examination at Stonebridge Veterinary Wellness for only $44.50 — a special rate exclusively for new clients.
Our wellness exams focus on preventive health care to keep your pet healthy and happy. During a wellness visit, our doctors perform thorough physical examinations, discuss your pet's nutritional needs, address any behavioral concerns, and recommend preventive treatments tailored to your pet's age and lifestyle.
