By Ronnie Casey
We can all relate to pain, whether it is the chronic discomfort of a long-endured condition, or as fleeting as stubbing a toe. We can vocalize it and we can describe it to those who can help. We talk about where it is, how intense it is and how miserable we are. Unlike us, our pet’s pain is not verbalized, they do not have the same ability. In addition, an animal’s survival instinct is to mask pain in order not to appear weak and vulnerable. In the wild, showing vulnerability makes the painful one the weak one, thus an easy target to predators. This innate survival characteristic has not gone away in our domestic feline and canine companions. Therefore, when they have pain, they suffer in silence.
September has been designated “Animal Pain Awareness Month” by the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management (https://ivapm.org/). It hopes to raise public awareness in recognizing the signs of pain and encourages all of us to seek veterinary care for our animals when we believe the animal is “not quite right”.
It would be simpler if we could ask them what they are feeling and where they are hurting. Because pets are experts at hiding their pain, many diseases, such as arthritis, go undiagnosed. But despite the animal’s lack of ability to verbally tell us it is in pain, other behaviors can be noticed which signify its discomfort. Like us, they might be unable to get comfortable and appear restless. There could be a loss of appetite or difficulty getting to the food dish. You might notice heavy panting when there should be none. Cats might hide in the closet. Dogs tend to obsessively lick areas causing them pain. Maybe Fluffy will not jump up on the counter anymore, or Fido will not get up on the bed or sofa. Jumping puts a lot of pressure on joints, so it would make sense that a pet in pain would avoid this behavior.
There are several ways to categorize pain. One is to separate it into acute pain and chronic pain. Acute pain typically comes on suddenly and has a limited duration. It is frequently caused by damage to tissue such as bone, muscle or organs. If you have ever broken a bone, had a kidney stone pass, or had major surgery you know how intense the pain can feel. Acute pain is quite obvious, whether you are human or not.
Chronic pain lasts longer than acute pain and is usually associated with a long-term illness, such as arthritis or cancer. This type of pain can be subtle and it may appear that the animal is just getting older and slowing down. So, when your dog is reluctant to go for his enjoyable walk or your cat starts hiding for hours at a time, be aware that pain might be the explanation for atypical behavior.
Obviously, most guardians can detect a limp or a painful cry, but pain that is chronic may be a bit more difficult to recognize. Dogs and cats generally show a change in behavior or temperament when they are in distress. A happy, friendly pet may become irritable, rebuff petting or dislike being held. A normally lively dog may prefer to lie quietly and want to be left alone. You may find that if the pet can reach the area giving discomfort, like an inflamed paw, he may lick, scratch or bite it in an attempt to make it feel better. Unfortunately, this action may cause additional injury. Some other signs that may be indicative of chronic pain could be the following: the pet suddenly flinches when you scratch or pet him on a particular area, especially if he appeared to enjoy it before; the pet becomes increasingly hunched over, or changes the way he typically moves.
There are many conditions that can cause pets to feel pain. The good news is that, in many cases, relief is available. Surgery may be one solution. Anti-inflammatory medications and targeted pain relievers can alleviate certain kinds of pain. Physical rehabilitation, massage and acupuncture may help other types. With regard to medications, both you and your veterinarian need to discuss the pros and cons of any medication recommended, especially if the pet will be taking it on a long-term basis. In addition, if an adverse reaction does occur, immediately contact your veterinarian.
When it comes to detecting pain, you should look for any change in your pet’s behavior. Let’s face it, you know your pet better than anyone else. Everyone has experienced pain in one degree or another. We also know how debilitating it can be. Our pets have a limited language to convey the pain they are experiencing. Take the time to “listen” to them and, if you think something is wrong, take them to your veterinarian. When in doubt, it is always advisable to err on the side of caution. Additionally, if your pet is diagnosed with any medical condition, it is always a good idea to ask your veterinarian if there is any pain related to it and, if so, what options there are for pain management. However, do not give your pet human pain medication unless your veterinarian has specifically recommended it.
Additional information regarding pain and its management can be found at The American College of Veterinary Surgeons (https://www.acvs.org/small-animal/pain-management)and at The International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management (https://ivapm.org/).
Ronnie Casey is vice president of PETS — Providing Essentials for Tehama Shelter. She can be reached at rmcredbluff@gmail.com. For more information about PETS, visit petstehama.org.
From Red Bluff Daily News
