Veterinary Pain Management in Ottawa
Helping your dog or cat live more comfortably
Pain changes everything for a pet. At Cedarview Animal Hospital, our IVAPM-certified veterinarians create individualized, multimodal pain plans that address the source of your pet's discomfort and restore their quality of life.
Pain management is more than prescribing medication
Whether your dog is slowing down on walks due to arthritis, or your cat is recovering from surgery, unmanaged pain affects appetite, sleep, mood, and overall health. Our team at Cedarview Animal Hospital in Ottawa takes a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to understanding and treating pain in dogs and cats.
We use a combination of therapies tailored to your pet's specific condition, age, weight, and lifestyle. Our goal is not just to reduce discomfort today, but to support long-term comfort, mobility, and wellbeing.
The only general practice animal hospital in Ottawa with dual IVAPM Certification
The International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management (IVAPM) sets the gold standard for veterinary pain care. Achieving IVAPM certification requires advanced training in pain assessment, pharmacology, and multimodal therapy protocols. Two of our veterinarians have earned this designation, bringing exceptional expertise directly to your pet's care at our Barrhaven clinic.
Conditions we treat
Osteoarthritis
Degenerative joint disease is one of the most common sources of chronic pain in dogs and cats. We develop long-term management plans that slow progression and maintain daily function.
IVDD (Intervertebral Disc Disease)
Spinal pain from IVDD can be debilitating. Our team coordinates pain management alongside neurological care to reduce discomfort and support recovery.
Cancer-Related Pain
Pets with cancer often experience pain from the disease itself or from treatment. We work to keep your pet as comfortable as possible throughout their cancer care.
Post-Surgical Pain
Effective pain control after surgery supports faster healing and better outcomes. We provide pre-emptive and post-operative analgesia as part of every surgical protocol.
Neuropathic Pain
Nerve-related pain requires specific medications and a careful diagnostic approach. We identify and target neuropathic sources of discomfort that can be missed in standard pain assessments.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Sprains, muscle strains, and ligament injuries in active dogs benefit from structured pain management that supports healing without over-relying on rest alone.
Pain-Targeted Medications
NSAIDs, opioids, gabapentin, and adjunct medications are selected and dosed based on your pet's diagnosis, age, kidney and liver function, and overall health status.
A multimodal approach to pain control
No single therapy works best for every patient. We combine the right tools for your pet's specific condition.
Therapeutic Laser Therapy
Low-level laser therapy reduces inflammation, promotes tissue healing, and provides drug-free pain relief. It is especially effective for arthritis, wound healing, and post-surgical recovery.
Physical Rehabilitation
Our rehabilitation team uses targeted exercises, range-of-motion therapy, and supportive care to rebuild strength, restore mobility, and reduce pain over the long term.
Individualized Treatment Plans
Each pain plan is built around your pet's specific diagnosis, lifestyle, and needs. We reassess regularly and adjust as your pet's condition evolves.
Common questions about veterinary pain management
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Pets rarely vocalize pain the way humans do. More often, you'll notice behavioural changes: reduced activity, reluctance to jump or use stairs, changes in appetite, increased irritability, or unusual sleeping patterns. If something seems off, it's worth discussing with our team. Early intervention typically leads to better outcomes.
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Multimodal pain management means combining multiple types of treatment rather than relying on a single medication. This approach is more effective because different therapies target pain through different pathways. At Cedarview Animal Hospital, this might include anti-inflammatory medications, laser therapy, rehabilitation exercises, and nutritional support, all tailored to your pet's individual needs.
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Many pets require ongoing pain management for chronic conditions like osteoarthritis. Our IVAPM-certified veterinarians monitor your pet carefully with routine bloodwork and health checks to ensure medications remain safe and effective over time. We also incorporate non-pharmaceutical therapies to reduce medication dependency wherever possible.
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Yes, we provide pain management services for both dogs and cats. Pain often presents differently between species, and cats in particular can be challenging to assess. Our team is experienced in recognizing and treating pain in both dogs and cats, including feline-specific conditions and sensitivities to certain medications.
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During your pet's pain consultation, our veterinarian will conduct a thorough physical exam with a focus on mobility and pain response, review your pet's history and any previous treatments, discuss your observations at home, and recommend a personalized management plan. For complex cases, we may recommend additional diagnostics such as X-rays or bloodwork before finalizing a treatment approach.
Is your pet showing signs of pain or discomfort?
Contact Cedarview Animal Hospital in Ottawa to schedule a pain management consultation for your dog or cat.