Pain in dogs and cats is often more manageable than owners realise – with the right assessment and the right plan.

Pain in pets isn’t always obvious

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.”

Common signs include:

• Stiffness, especially after rest
• Reluctance to jump, climb stairs, or get in the car
• Changes in mood or temperament
• Sleeping more, or in different positions
• Grooming less, or licking a particular area
• Just seeming quieter or “not themselves”

If any of these sound familiar, a specialist pain assessment may help.

How can I tell if my pet is in pain?

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Cases that we see

Sometimes a specialist referral is the right next step.

We commonly see pets who:

• Have been diagnosed, but haven’t responded as expected to treatment
• Are still uncomfortable despite appropriate medication
• Have had investigations that haven’t found a clear cause
• Have gradually changed in ways that are hard to pin down

Sometimes pain has more than one source. A careful, unhurried assessment can identify contributing factors that haven’t yet been addressed – and open up new options for treatment.

A thorough assessment, explained clearly

Before your appointment, we review your pet’s full history and any previous test results. You’ll also be asked to complete a short questionnaire about how pain is affecting daily life – your observations matter enormously.

The first consultation is typically around an hour. We take time to examine your pet gently and carefully, review what has and hasn’t helped so far, and think through all the possible contributors to their discomfort.

Appointments are available in person at our clinic in Dulverton, Somerset, or online – with video and photos of your pet’s movement reviewed alongside their clinical history.

After the consultation, you and your vet receive a detailed written report with clear recommendations. We stay in touch as needed.

More options than you might expect

Pain management has come a long way. Depending on what’s contributing to your pet’s discomfort, options may include:

• Reviewing and adjusting current medications
• Acupuncture and electroacupuncture
• Laser therapy
• Targeted injections – around joints, nerves, or the spine
• Supplement advice
• Practical lifestyle and home management changes

We explain each option clearly – including what it involves, what it’s likely to achieve, and any risks – so you can make informed decisions.

About Dr James Hunt

James has spent his career focused on one thing; understanding and relieving pain in animals.

He holds postgraduate qualifications in both acute and chronic pain management, and is recognised as an EBVS Specialist and RCVS Specialist in Animal Welfare Science, Ethics and Law. He is also a Founding Fellow of the ACVAA Pain Management Fellowship.

In practice, this means a level of expertise in pain assessment and treatment that goes beyond what most general practices are able to offer – combined with a straightforward, honest approach to what is and isn’t likely to help.

How do we work?

What you can expect from us

We recommend options based on what is genuinely best for your pet – not what is most convenient or profitable.

We are honest about what we can and can’t achieve.

We communicate in plain language and welcome questions at every stage.

We work closely with your regular vet and keep them fully informed.

If another specialist or referral centre is better placed to help, we will tell you.

Not all pain can be eliminated – but most can be better managed

Our aim is simply to help your pet move more comfortably, rest more easily, and feel more like themselves – and to help you feel informed and supported along the way.

Even small improvements can make a significant difference to quality of life.