How will I know if my Pet is in pain? - Animal Pain Awareness
The International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management IVAPM has designated September as Animal Pain Awareness Month as a way of highlighting how animals suffer from pain similar to humans.
We keep animals as pets. We farm many species for food. We use them in experiments to advance science and human health. Animals are clearly important to us. So it’s equally important that we avoid causing them unnecessary pain.
Pain is a complex experience involving sensory and emotional components. Animals feel pain the same way we do, but since our pets can’t vocalize their feelings, animals rely on human observers to recognize their pain and to evaluate its severity and impact. Prey species are unlikely to advertise vulnerability to predators, so tend to hide their pain better than other species.
Signs of acute pain may be more obvious—pets may try to bite you or scratch you if you touch the area that is painful. However, signs of chronic pain may be less obvious to notice. Therefore, pet parents ought to treat the slightest signs of pain in their pets seriously.
How will I know if my Pet is in pain?
Many animals tend to mask their pain because of evolutionary instincts. Unfortunately, this makes it very difficult to see when they aren't feeling well.
Often our pets suffer in silence. Because pets can’t speak, it can sometimes be difficult to identify when they’re in pain, whether it's as a result of an injury or an underlying issue.
However, there are a variety of signs, some more obvious than others, which may indicate pain in your pet. These include:
Dogs
Decreased play and reluctance to go for walks
Reluctance to lie down or difficulty getting up
Hiding
Trembling or shaking
Fast and shallow breathing or panting
Changes in urinary/defecation habits
Not wanting to go up or down stairs.
Difficulty standing after lying down.
Decreased appetite (mouth pain).
Over-grooming or licking a specific area of the body
Sleeping more or less than usual
Squinting, blinking, or rubbing of the eyes
Whining, howling or growling
Cats
Reluctance to leap
Meowing, purring, hissing or spitting
Lack of appetite
Hiding
Over-grooming or licking an area of the body
Lethargy
Decreased interest in positive things like playing, social interaction and exploring outside
Flattened ears
Trembles or shakes
Rabbits
Grinding of teeth
Hunched posture
Decreased grooming
Reluctance to move
Bulging, strained, staring, or unfocused eyes
Increased thirst and urination
Drooling or swelling of the mouth or face
Respiratory problems
Diarrhea or constipation
Vocalizations
Horses
Lameness or unusual gait
Change in appetite or drinking habits
Change in droppings or signs of diarrhea
Shifting weight from one leg to other
Muscle tremors
Partially closed eyes
Increased rate of respiration or sweating
Fluids leaking from eye, ear, nose
Reptiles
Anorexia
Lack of mobility
Increase in aggression
Lack of appetite
Dull or half-closed eyes
Easily startled
Hunched or strained posture
Increased respiration
Change in colour (darkening)
Continuous swallowing
Displaying agitation or restlessness
Birds
Squinting
Lethargy
Lack of appetite
Favouring certain body parts ie. wing, leg
Irritability
Pigs
Loss of appetite
Lethargy
Coughing or nasal discharge
Standing with back hunched
Discoloured vaginal discharge
Difficulty urinating or defecating
Trouble walking, limping or getting traction
Patchy hair loss/excessive itching
Acute or chronic pain not only causes discomfort in pets but it can also cause distress. Pets who live in pain can become more agitated and stressed, removing themselves from family and daily activities they would normally love to do.
If you suspect that your pet is in pain, contact your Veterinarian for a diagnosis of the actual source of pain.
Treatment of Pain:
There are several choices to treat the cause of pain in our pets, and as there are several main categories that pain can fall into there are also different paths to take. Each treatment is different for every pet dependent on their age, reaction, and other health concerns.
Forms of treatment can include:
Pain medications
Acupuncture
Massage therapy
Physiotherapy
Therapeutic rehabilitation
Canine Hydropathy
Laser Therapy
Many pain medications that are safe for human use are toxic or even fatal to dogs, cats and other animals. Always consult with your veterinarian before giving any medications.
Paying attention to the signs of pain in your pet, will mean the difference between a lifetime of suffering and a lifetime of comfort and health for your best friend.