Our pets are fantastic. They live in the moment. They bring us joy and improve our lives. They can be effusive and demonstrative. Yet other times they can be quiet and stoic. Unbelievably stoic and they won’t tell us why! Often times a change of behavior can be an indication of pain or discomfort. They may not come right out and say it but there are signs. Your pet may not be fully weight bearing on one or more limbs. It may take longer to get up from a prone or seated position. He/she might be having trouble looking up, or to the left or right. Your pet may have a reluctance to sit “squarely” or sit at all. It might take longer to lie down because doing it may be painful or it might be difficult to get back up. He/she might be nippy, warning others to keep away. Your pet might just stop in the middle of a walk, not from fatigue but from arthritis.
We are experts at diagnosing pain and helping to reduce/eliminate it. We utilize modalities such as gentle, targeted stretching, massage therapy, acupuncture, ice to reduce swelling, ultrasound to provide deep tissue heating and pain relief, laser to reduce swelling and promote the body’s natural healing mechanisms, warm water treadmills to encourage blood flow and supported, controlled movement and finally the pool, where the hydrostatic pressure in a neutrally buoyant environment allows aching spines to stretch out, tight limbs to fully extend and a chance for your pet to be moving without the impact pain of day-to-day life. Endorphins are released to block pain while serotonin is generated, bumping up the “happy.” Remember, just two swims a month will keep serotonin levels in senior dogs elevated to those of a puppy’s. Regardless of the source of pain, our trained veterinarians and therapists can help.
We are excited to now offer Librela!
What is Librela?
Librela is a revolutionary treatment for osteoarthritis in dogs, administered as a monthly injection.
How Does Librela Work?-
Librela contains bedinvetmab as its active component, a monoclonal antibody (a specific type of protein) crafted to identify and bind to a protein known as nerve growth factor (NGF). By binding to NGF, it hinders its attachment to receptors (targets) on nerve cells, thereby disrupting the transmission of pain signals.
How do I know if Librela is right for my dog?
Our team is here to help determine what treatments are best to support your dog on their pain management journey.
If you notice your dog:
- Limping after exercise
- Lagging behind on walks
- Has trouble getting up
- Has difficulty jumping or climbing stairs
They may be dealing with osteoarthritis and/or pain and could potentially benefit from Librela.
Call or click below to book an appointment to learn more about which pain management protocol at Two Hands Four Paws is best for your pet.