Veterinary Pain Management and Arthritis Treatment in Huntington Beach

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Arthritis Pain Relief for Dogs and Cats As pets age, arthritis and chronic pain can significantly affect their mobility and quality of life. At Huntington Beach Pet Hospital, we offer personalized pain management plans and arthritis treatment for dogs and cats experiencing arthritis, joint pain, surgical discomfort, or mobility issues.

Our goal is not simply to reduce pain, but to help pets remain comfortable, active, and able to enjoy a better quality of life for as long as possible.

If your pet is slowing down, struggling to jump, limping, or having difficulty getting comfortable, please call (714) 962-3639 to schedule an evaluation.
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Signs Your Pet May Be Experiencing Pain

Many pets, especially cats, are very good at hiding pain. Some common signs of arthritis or chronic discomfort include difficulty getting up or lying down, trouble climbing stairs or jumping, limping or stiffness after resting, decreased activity, irritability, and trouble getting comfortable.

Because many of these changes happen gradually, owners often mistake them as simply “getting older” when pain may actually be the cause.
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Our Multimodal Approach to Veterinary Pain Management

At Huntington Beach Pet Hospital, we take pain management seriously and believe pets recover best when discomfort is controlled through a thoughtful, multimodal approach. Rather than relying on a single medication, we often combine several therapies to keep pets as comfortable as possible.

For a typical spay or neuter surgery, we manage pain in several ways. Before the procedure, pets receive both an injection of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication such as Metacam or Carprofen, as well as a pain medication called Buprenorphine.

Depending on the type of surgery being performed, additional pain control may be used. For example, during many mass removals or other soft tissue surgeries, we will often perform a local nerve block using lidocaine to numb the surgical area.

For orthopedic procedures, we frequently administer Nocita, a long-acting local anesthetic that is injected directly into the surgical site and can provide pain relief for up to 72 hours in dogs and cats.

To further help with pain management and recovery, we also offer cold laser therapy. Cold laser treatment is non-invasive and can help reduce pain during the immediate post-operative period while also promoting faster healing.

We commonly use cold laser therapy after procedures such as spays, neuters, dental extractions, and mass removals, among many other indications.

After surgery, pets are sent home with a combination of therapies to help maintain comfort during recovery. These often include an oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication along with additional pain medications such as gabapentin, buprenorphine, or tramadol when appropriate.

Every surgical patient is also sent home with detailed discharge instructions explaining common signs of pain and what owners should monitor for during recovery.

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Managing Chronic Arthritis and Joint Pain in Dogs and Cats

For pets suffering from long-term arthritis or chronic joint pain, treatment commonly begins with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications and pain medications such as gabapentin.

Some veterinarians continue to use tramadol for pain relief, but this medication has poor bioavailability in dogs, meaning it is not absorbed particularly well. In many cases, the perceived benefit may be due more to sedation than true pain control.

We also frequently recommend supportive therapies such as joint supplements, turmeric-based supplements, type II undenatured collagen, weight management, and physical rehabilitation when appropriate.
 A large owl wearing glasses sits on a tree branch, reading a red book about becoming a veterinarian. Green leaves and little light blue birds surround the owl against a pale background. A blue silhouette illustration of a palm tree with detailed, textured leaves, set against a plain white background—perfect wall art for a veterinarian or vet clinic waiting room. Five wavy, white, leaf-like shapes with subtle line details are arranged vertically on a light gray background, creating an abstract design that could appeal to a veterinarian or vet with its natural, calming feel. Blue line drawing of a palm tree with multiple fan-shaped leaves extending from long stems, shown on a plain white background—perfect wall art for any veterinarian or vet clinic seeking a calming touch. Happy golden dog with white kitten cuddling together Blue line art illustration of a spiky, bushy plant with long, slender leaves radiating outward in all directions, set against a light background—perfect for brightening up any vet or veterinarian's office.

What Is Librela for Dogs?

Librela is a newer monthly arthritis injection for dogs used to help control osteoarthritis pain. It works by targeting nerve growth factor, which plays a key role in pain signaling.

Many dogs receiving Librela experience improved mobility, increased activity levels, and better comfort during daily activities.

Librela can be especially helpful for dogs who need additional pain control or who cannot tolerate certain traditional medications.
 A large owl wearing glasses sits on a tree branch, reading a red book about becoming a veterinarian. Green leaves and little light blue birds surround the owl against a pale background. Subtle, white line drawing of a leafy plant with long, slender leaves on a light gray background. The delicate illustration evokes a calming atmosphere, perfect for a veterinarian's office or vet clinic waiting area. Blue line drawing of a tropical plant with large, elongated leaves, featuring visible veins and detailed shading—an elegant design perfect for a veterinarian’s office or vet clinic, set against a plain white background. Australian Shepherd dog with mouth open in grassy field A simple illustration of light blue, branching seaweed or coral, featuring long, thin stems and sparse, delicate fronds on a white background—perfect décor for a veterinarian's office or vet-themed space.

What Is Solensia for Cats?

Solensia is a newer monthly arthritis injection for cats developed specifically for arthritis and chronic joint pain.

Because cats often hide discomfort extremely well, arthritis may go unnoticed until mobility has declined significantly.

Solensia may help improve comfort, activity levels, and overall quality of life in cats suffering from chronic pain. A large owl wearing glasses sits on a tree branch, reading a red book about becoming a veterinarian. Green leaves and little light blue birds surround the owl against a pale background. A blue silhouette illustration of a palm tree with detailed, textured leaves, set against a plain white background—perfect wall art for a veterinarian or vet clinic waiting room. Five wavy, white, leaf-like shapes with subtle line details are arranged vertically on a light gray background, creating an abstract design that could appeal to a veterinarian or vet with its natural, calming feel. Blue line drawing of a palm tree with multiple fan-shaped leaves extending from long stems, shown on a plain white background—perfect wall art for any veterinarian or vet clinic seeking a calming touch. Tabby and white kitten with striking blue eyes Blue line art illustration of a spiky, bushy plant with long, slender leaves radiating outward in all directions, set against a light background—perfect for brightening up any vet or veterinarian's office.

When We Consider Librela and Solensia

Although these injections can be extremely helpful, we do not automatically use them as the first treatment option for every patient.

At our hospital, Librela and Solensia are typically considered when arthritis is significantly affecting quality of life, traditional medications are not enough, side effects limit other treatment options, or additional pain control is needed.

We view these injections as part of a broader pain management strategy rather than a stand-alone solution. A large owl wearing glasses sits on a tree branch, reading a red book about becoming a veterinarian. Green leaves and little light blue birds surround the owl against a pale background. Subtle, white line drawing of a leafy plant with long, slender leaves on a light gray background. The delicate illustration evokes a calming atmosphere, perfect for a veterinarian's office or vet clinic waiting area. Blue line drawing of a tropical plant with large, elongated leaves, featuring visible veins and detailed shading—an elegant design perfect for a veterinarian’s office or vet clinic, set against a plain white background. Dog holding red toy with sleeping kitten nearby A simple illustration of light blue, branching seaweed or coral, featuring long, thin stems and sparse, delicate fronds on a white background—perfect décor for a veterinarian's office or vet-themed space.

A Recent Example of Arthritis Pain Treatment Success

One recent example involved a senior Labrador that had begun struggling to rise after lying down and was becoming less interested in walks and daily activity. After beginning a comprehensive pain management plan that included medication adjustments and Librela therapy, the owners reported noticeable improvement in both mobility and overall comfort.

While every pet responds differently, cases like this highlight how appropriate pain management can significantly improve a pet’s quality of life.
 A large owl wearing glasses sits on a tree branch, reading a red book about becoming a veterinarian. Green leaves and little light blue birds surround the owl against a pale background. A blue silhouette illustration of a palm tree with detailed, textured leaves, set against a plain white background—perfect wall art for a veterinarian or vet clinic waiting room. Five wavy, white, leaf-like shapes with subtle line details are arranged vertically on a light gray background, creating an abstract design that could appeal to a veterinarian or vet with its natural, calming feel. Blue line drawing of a palm tree with multiple fan-shaped leaves extending from long stems, shown on a plain white background—perfect wall art for any veterinarian or vet clinic seeking a calming touch. Happy golden retriever dog with tongue out smiling Blue line art illustration of a spiky, bushy plant with long, slender leaves radiating outward in all directions, set against a light background—perfect for brightening up any vet or veterinarian's office.

Side Effects of Librela and Solensia

Both medications are generally well tolerated, but side effects can occur.

Possible side effects may include mild lethargy, injection site soreness, temporary mobility changes, gastrointestinal upset, and rare neurologic or behavioral concerns.

Most pets tolerate these injections very well, but we always recommend monitoring for any changes after treatment. A large owl wearing glasses sits on a tree branch, reading a red book about becoming a veterinarian. Green leaves and little light blue birds surround the owl against a pale background. Subtle, white line drawing of a leafy plant with long, slender leaves on a light gray background. The delicate illustration evokes a calming atmosphere, perfect for a veterinarian's office or vet clinic waiting area. Blue line drawing of a tropical plant with large, elongated leaves, featuring visible veins and detailed shading—an elegant design perfect for a veterinarian’s office or vet clinic, set against a plain white background. Small dog licking kitten's face showing affection A simple illustration of light blue, branching seaweed or coral, featuring long, thin stems and sparse, delicate fronds on a white background—perfect décor for a veterinarian's office or vet-themed space.

Veterinary Pain Management for Pets in Huntington Beach

We proudly provide veterinary pain management, arthritis treatment, Librela injections, and Solensia injections for pets throughout Huntington Beach and surrounding communities including Fountain Valley, Costa Mesa, and Westminster.

If your pet is slowing down or showing signs of discomfort, our team can help determine the most appropriate treatment plan.

Please call (714) 962-3639 to schedule an appointment. A large owl wearing glasses sits on a tree branch, reading a red book about becoming a veterinarian. Green leaves and little light blue birds surround the owl against a pale background. A blue silhouette illustration of a palm tree with detailed, textured leaves, set against a plain white background—perfect wall art for a veterinarian or vet clinic waiting room. Five wavy, white, leaf-like shapes with subtle line details are arranged vertically on a light gray background, creating an abstract design that could appeal to a veterinarian or vet with its natural, calming feel. Blue line drawing of a palm tree with multiple fan-shaped leaves extending from long stems, shown on a plain white background—perfect wall art for any veterinarian or vet clinic seeking a calming touch. Close-up portrait of tan dog with dark eyes Blue line art illustration of a spiky, bushy plant with long, slender leaves radiating outward in all directions, set against a light background—perfect for brightening up any vet or veterinarian's office.

Frequently Asked Questions About Librela and Solensia

Many pets begin showing improvement within several days to a few weeks, although response time varies.

Both medications are typically administered once monthly.

Yes. They are often used alongside other medications as part of a multimodal pain management plan.

Not necessarily. NSAIDs are often considered first-line therapy, and these injections are typically added when more support is needed or NSAIDs are not tolerated.

No. Many pets do well with medications, supplements, weight management, and rehabilitation alone. These injections are used when additional pain control is needed.