St. Charles Veterinary Clinic is a full-service veterinary medical facility, located in St. Charles, Minnesota. The professional and courteous staff at the St. Charles Veterinary Clinic seeks to provide the best possible medical care, surgical care and dental care for their highly-valued patients. We are committed to promoting responsible pet ownership, preventative health care and health-related educational opportunities for our clients. The St. Charles Veterinary Clinic strives to offer excellence in veterinary care to St. Charles, MN and surrounding areas. Small animal appointment times vary from Monday to Friday. Please take a moment to contact us today, to learn more about our veterinary practice and to find our more information about how the St. Charles Veterinary Clinic can serve the needs of you and your cherished pet.
Sitting in the Starbucks drive-thru thinking about how your pet needs a prescription refill? We’ve all been there. We’re excited to share that we’ve added Vello to the team! Download the app or visit the website for instant access to our staff when you need us.
MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
Animal Pain Awareness Month is observed every year in September.
Established by the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management (IVAPM),
this campaign runs alongside human medicine's Pain Awareness Month to educate pet owners
on recognizing and managing acute and chronic pain in animals.
Because animals instinctively mask discomfort, identifying subtle behavioral changes is
crucial for ensuring their well-being.
Common Signs of Pain in Pets
- Mobility changes: Reluctance to climb stairs, jump on furniture, or difficulty standing up.
- Altered grooming: Excessive licking of a specific painful spot, or a messy coat due to pain while twisting.
- Behavioral shifts: Unusual withdrawal, hiding, irritability, or unexpected aggression when touched.
- Appetite drops: Decreased interest in eating or drinking, which can often signal dental or systemic pain.
- Vocalization changes: Increased whining, growling, whimpering, or unusual meowing.
- Physical posture: Hunching the back, keeping the head lowered, or heavy panting and increased breathing rates.
Modern Management Options
As stated by the IVAPM, “There are many options to treat the various causes of pain in animals
including pain medications, physical rehabilitation, acupuncture, laser therapy, and therapeutic massage.”
Veterinarians can also utilize specialized, targeted biological therapies—such as monoclonal antibody injections like
Librela for dogs or Solensia for cats—to effectively manage chronic osteoarthritis pain. If you notice any sudden or
gradual changes in your pet’s daily routine, schedule an exam with your veterinary team right away to
address potential discomfort early.
If you are concerned about a specific animal, let us know:
- What species and age is your pet?
- What specific behaviors or physical symptoms have you noticed?
