Chronic Pain Clinic
Why Should I Bring my Pet to Willows for Management of Chronic Pain?
Willows is one of Europe’s leading small animal referral centres. Our state-of-the-art hospital is led by internationally renowned Specialists who are committed to providing the highest standards of veterinary care.
Our dedicated Chronic Pain Clinic is led by European Specialist in Anaesthesia and Analgesia Jacques Ferreira who has extensive experience managing and treating pets with chronic pain.
What is the Chronic Pain Clinic?
Willows’ Specialist-led Chronic Pain Clinic aims to improve the quality and enjoyment of life for your pet. The Chronic Pain Clinic is available to all patients referred by their first opinion Vet. Once a referral has been made, a consultation will be booked with a Specialist in Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia who will assess your pet and develop a personalised pain management programme for prolonged or inadequately managed pain.
Why Should I Bring my Pet to Willows for Management of Chronic Pain?
Willows is one of Europe’s leading small animal referral centres. Our state-of-the-art hospital is led by internationally renowned Specialists who are committed to providing the highest standards of veterinary care.
Our dedicated Chronic Pain Clinic is led by European Specialist in Anaesthesia and Analgesia Jacques Ferreira who has extensive experience managing and treating pets with chronic pain.
What is the Chronic Pain Clinic?
Willows’ Specialist-led Chronic Pain Clinic aims to improve the quality and enjoyment of life for your pet. The Chronic Pain Clinic is available to all patients referred by their first opinion Vet. Once a referral has been made, a consultation will be booked with a Specialist in Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia who will assess your pet and develop a personalised pain management programme for prolonged or inadequately managed pain.
What is the Chronic Pain Clinic?
Willows’ Specialist-led Chronic Pain Clinic aims to improve the quality and enjoyment of life for your pet. The Chronic Pain Clinic is available to all patients referred by their first opinion Vet. Once a referral has been made, a consultation will be booked with a Specialist in Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia who will assess your pet and develop a personalised pain management programme for prolonged or inadequately managed pain.
What is Acupuncture?
Modern Western acupuncture is based on traditional Chinese medicine but also on modern science, giving us more understanding of processes occurring in a body during treatment. The best effect can be achieved when acupuncture is used alongside conventional medicine. During the initial consultation, the merits and practicalities can be discussed.
What is Acupuncture?
Modern Western acupuncture is based on traditional Chinese medicine but also on modern science, giving us more understanding of processes occurring in a body during treatment. The best effect can be achieved when acupuncture is used alongside conventional medicine. During the initial consultation, the merits and practicalities can be discussed.
What Treatments are Available to Manage Chronic Pain?
The Chronic Pain Clinic at Willows provides a bespoke pain management plan for your pet. This involves the careful selection of painkillers targeting the underlying cause of pain. The most commonly seen patients are dogs and cats with chronic joint disease such as osteoarthritis. In these patients, the alleviation of stiff joints and muscles using a combination of pharmacological and physical interventions such as acupuncture and physiotherapy can go a long way to improving mobility and overall quality of life. The chronic pain management is not however restricted to orthopaedic disease. Patients with a history of back problems and trapped nerves, chronic abdominal disease, cats with chronic cystitis, and even patients with some forms of cancer may benefit.
What Treatments are Available to Manage Chronic Pain?
The Chronic Pain Clinic at Willows provides a bespoke pain management plan for your pet. This involves the careful selection of painkillers targeting the underlying cause of pain. The most commonly seen patients are dogs and cats with chronic joint disease such as osteoarthritis. In these patients, the alleviation of stiff joints and muscles using a combination of pharmacological and physical interventions such as acupuncture and physiotherapy can go a long way to improving mobility and overall quality of life. The chronic pain management is not however restricted to orthopaedic disease. Patients with a history of back problems and trapped nerves, chronic abdominal disease, cats with chronic cystitis, and even patients with some forms of cancer may benefit.
What can I Expect if my Pet is Treated for Chronic Pain?
The management of chronic pain is ongoing and the response to treatment varies between individual pets. Initially frequent check-ups may be needed for some, however further check-ups may only be required every few months once effective pain control has been established. Acute flare ups or progression of underlying disease may necessitate more frequent visits. In some cases, it may be necessary for you to be referred to another Specialist in a different discipline, for instance orthopaedics or neurology.
An initial consultation lasts an hour. During this time, a thorough history of your pet’s pain management and other relevant events will be discussed. A thorough physical exam establishing a ‘map’ of particularly painful areas (myofascial trigger points) will be performed. Finally, the first acupuncture session will be performed. Follow up appointments typically last 30 minutes.
An initial consultation lasts an hour. During this time, a thorough history of your pet’s pain management and other relevant events will be discussed. A thorough physical exam establishing a ‘map’ of particularly painful areas (myofascial trigger points) will be performed. Finally, the first acupuncture session will be performed. Follow up appointments typically last 30 minutes.
What can I Expect if my Pet is Treated for Chronic Pain?
The management of chronic pain is ongoing and the response to treatment varies between individual pets. Initially frequent check-ups may be needed for some, however further check-ups may only be required every few months once effective pain control has been established. Acute flare ups or progression of underlying disease may necessitate more frequent visits. In some cases, it may be necessary for you to be referred to another Specialist in a different discipline, for instance orthopaedics or neurology.
An initial consultation lasts an hour. During this time, a thorough history of your pet’s pain management and other relevant events will be discussed. A thorough physical exam establishing a ‘map’ of particularly painful areas (myofascial trigger points) will be performed. Finally, the first acupuncture session will be performed. Follow up appointments typically last 30 minutes.
An initial consultation lasts an hour. During this time, a thorough history of your pet’s pain management and other relevant events will be discussed. A thorough physical exam establishing a ‘map’ of particularly painful areas (myofascial trigger points) will be performed. Finally, the first acupuncture session will be performed. Follow up appointments typically last 30 minutes.
Which Patients may benefit from the Chronic Pain Clinic?
Just like humans, as our pets live longer there becomes an increased risk of developing chronic pain conditions. Similarly, as our pets get older they start to suffer with some pain and mobility issues. They become slower, their joints start ‘seizing up’ and they may experience some discomfort.
Any dog or cat with longstanding pain may benefit from a personalised pain management programme. Our chronic pain team can also see pets who are experiencing pain for other reasons, such as back problems and even cancer. If you feel your pet may be in pain, feels depressed or is less keen to play, it is worth discussing with your vet whether your pet may benefit from an appointment. Athletic and working dogs with muscle strains will also benefit from early detection, assessment and appropriate management to alleviate chronic pain.
Any dog or cat with longstanding pain may benefit from a personalised pain management programme. Our chronic pain team can also see pets who are experiencing pain for other reasons, such as back problems and even cancer. If you feel your pet may be in pain, feels depressed or is less keen to play, it is worth discussing with your vet whether your pet may benefit from an appointment. Athletic and working dogs with muscle strains will also benefit from early detection, assessment and appropriate management to alleviate chronic pain.
Which Patients may benefit from the Chronic Pain Clinic?
Just like humans, as our pets live longer there becomes an increased risk of developing chronic pain conditions. Similarly, as our pets get older they start to suffer with some pain and mobility issues. They become slower, their joints start ‘seizing up’ and they may experience some discomfort.
Any dog or cat with longstanding pain may benefit from a personalised pain management programme. Our chronic pain team can also see pets who are experiencing pain for other reasons, such as back problems and even cancer. If you feel your pet may be in pain, feels depressed or is less keen to play, it is worth discussing with your vet whether your pet may benefit from an appointment. Athletic and working dogs with muscle strains will also benefit from early detection, assessment and appropriate management to alleviate chronic pain.
Any dog or cat with longstanding pain may benefit from a personalised pain management programme. Our chronic pain team can also see pets who are experiencing pain for other reasons, such as back problems and even cancer. If you feel your pet may be in pain, feels depressed or is less keen to play, it is worth discussing with your vet whether your pet may benefit from an appointment. Athletic and working dogs with muscle strains will also benefit from early detection, assessment and appropriate management to alleviate chronic pain.
Meet Our Specialist
Jacques Ferreira
BSc BVSc MSc MMEDVET(Anaes) DiplECVAA
RCVS Specialist in Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia
European Specialist in Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia
