Veterinary pain management
Pain in dogs and cats is often more manageable than owners realise.
Pain and arthritis care for dogs and cats, in clinic in Dulverton and online across the UK.
Animals are good at hiding discomfort.
The signs are often subtle. Changes in behaviour, sleep or movement that are easy to miss, or put down to getting older.
Stiffness
Especially after rest, or first thing in the morning.
Reluctance
To jump, climb the stairs, or get in the car.
Mood
Changes in temperament, or in how they are with the family.
Sleep
Sleeping more, or lying in different positions.
Grooming
Grooming less, or licking one particular area.
Quieter
Just seeming flat, or not themselves.
Chronic pain develops gradually, and it is often mistaken for ageing.
More on the signsWhat happens when you come in
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Before the appointment
We review your pet's full history and any previous test results from your vet, and you fill in a short questionnaire about how pain is affecting daily life.
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The consultation
Typically around an hour. We examine your pet gently, look at what has and hasn't helped so far, and think through everything that might be contributing.
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The plan
We go through the options together, including the ones we don't think are worth doing. A written report follows, and your regular vet is kept informed.
Appointments are spaced so there is rarely more than one patient in the building. It gives the animal time to settle, and it gives you time to say what you actually came to say.
Pain management has come a long way
There is rarely one answer. Most plans combine two or three of these, reviewed as your pet responds.
All treatments in detail
Dr James Hunt
James has spent his career focused on one thing: understanding and relieving pain in animals.
He started in mixed practice, took the certificate in veterinary anaesthesia, then went back to university for a Master's and a PhD in pain medicine. He still works part time as a clinical anaesthetist in a referral hospital.
A depth of training in pain assessment and treatment that general practice is not structured to provide.
BVetMed, MSc, PhD, CertVA, DipECAWBM(AWSEL) MRCVS
More about James
Three ways to be seen
In clinic
41 High Street, Dulverton, on the Somerset and Devon border. We also hold clinics in Umberleigh and Barnstaple.
Online, anywhere in the UK
A video consultation with your pet's history and imaging reviewed beforehand, alongside video of how they move at home.
At home
Home visits for pets who cannot travel comfortably, following the same structure as a clinic consultation.
Fees and insurance
Costs of referral consultations and treatment are covered by most insurance policies. We will always be pleased to provide estimates ahead of any consultation or treatment.
See the full fee listNeedles charged separately where used. Full list of procedures and reports on the fees page.
Not sure whether a pain consultation is the right next step?
Call and ask. If another specialist or referral centre is better placed to help, we will say so.
Clinic
41 High Street
Dulverton
Somerset TA22 9DW
Appointments
By appointment, generally Wednesday to Friday.