There is no way to simplify pain. It is a secondary condition, but it often acts as a co-morbidity due to inflammatory response and how it impacts the patient’s overall health.

Pain can cause anorexia, sleep deprivation, and a weakened immune system, regardless of the primary inciting cause of pain. Remote monitoring helps veterinarians notice the signs of pain earlier and begin management sooner.

Veterinarians can now have additional objective data to complement the subjective information received from clients, obtaining a more complete health picture.

Remote monitoring collects key biometric information and wellness indicators, such as resting heart and respiratory rates, amount and intensity of activity, calories burned, distance travelled and quality of rest.

Analysis of these data points can be used to identify pain from the patient’s most comfortable environment—in its home. With daily measurement of key vital signs, veterinarians gain access to baseline metrics so that any changes in a dog’s “normal parameters” are tracked and action can be taken.

Specifically, veterinarians can determine efficacy of treatments and titrate accordingly. The data can also increase compliance, by showing clients objectively how their pet is responding to a specific treatment.

Pet owner Kalin M. and her veterinarian used remote monitoring of her dog, Lady, to better understand and treat the pain that resulted from osteoarthritis.

Before starting treatment, Lady wore the Voyce Health Monitor to create a baseline of her key vital signs. As Lady started taking NSAIDs, her veterinarian was able to remotely monitor how she was responding to the medication.

Over the course of treatment, Lady’s level of comfort increased, as demonstrated by the data from the health monitor. There was a significant decrease in resting heart rate seen over the duration of her treatment.

While heart rate decreased, her activity levels continued to increase. There were notable increases seen in intensity of activity, distance travelled, and amount of activity. All indicators pointed to an effective treatment of Lady’s pain related to osteoarthritis.

Lady’s story is just one example of how remote monitoring helps veterinarians manage treatment plans for patients who are in pain from osteoarthritis and other chronic conditions. Learn more about Lady’s treatment using remote monitoring here.

This content was provided by Voyce Pro.

Photo credit: © iStock/esp2k