Animal Pain Awareness Month
Pain isn’t fun – and our furry friends are definitely no exception. September has been designated as animal pain awareness month by the International Veterinary Academy of Pain
Management (IVAPM), coincidently falling at the same time as human pain awareness month. Thus, making it an ideal time for us all to take a step back and reflect on all the different ways animals experience pain and how we can play our due role in helping them out of it.
Animal Suffering: Masked?
Previously, pain management has been consistently pushed aside by veterinarians. However, as more research surfaces, the grave consequences of uncontrolled, prolonged pain are becoming increasingly known: a poor immune system, delayed wound healing and cardiac stress, to name a few.
What adds to their suffering is their inability to verbalize their pain, making it harder for us to pick up on signs that they’re hurting. So, while animals feel pain in a similar fashion to humans, they might not show it in the same way. In addition, most animals have mastered the ability to mask their discomfort and pain so as to protect themselves from predators, thereby preventing them from being seen as weak or easy targets.
However, just because animals can’t verbally tell us when and where they're hurting doesn't mean there aren't other ways, they're trying to communicate with us. As responsible pet parents, the responsibility of allowing them to resume their healthy, happy lives lies on us.
Fortunately, certain telltale signs indicate when an animal is feeling under the weather. These signs may take the form of physical symptoms, behavioral changes and sometimes even mobility issues. These signs are usually subtle, which is why it's important to stay alert. Keep a close eye on their activities so that you can approach your vet in a timely manner whenever the need arises.
The voiceless are counting on us to give them a voice. Pay attention and help break the communication barrier between our furred friends and us.
How to Tell an Animal Is in Pain: Common Giveaway Signs
Animals often tend to disguise their pain due to evolutional and survival instincts. However, that's not to say that you can't pick up on the signs. In fact, most times, all it takes is a closer look to realize what your pet was trying to tell you all along.
Here are a few common symptoms to look for that may signal your pet requires immediate medical intervention:
Decreased appetite or thirst
Decreased activity or reluctance to play
Reluctance to lie down and/or difficulty rising
Lameness or holding a paw in the air when sitting
Difficulty finding a comfortable position
Restlessness
For cats, difficulty using the litter box
Unusual body posture
Shaking or trembling
Unusual or sudden changes in sleeping habits
Changes in defecation or urination habit
Frequent squinting, blinking or rubbing of the eyes
Licking or over-grooming a particular area
Fast and shallow breathing or panting for no apparent reason
Unusual vocalizing such as whining, howling, yelping, groaning, growling, and whimpering in dogs or purring, hissing, meowing, and growling in cats.
Purring – contrary to popular belief, purring can be related to pain
Aggressive or guarding behavior in dogs
While this list is nowhere near exhaustive, it's a helpful place to start. In addition, isolated incidences of these symptoms aren't anything to worry about, as many of these on their own mean nothing. However, if two or more of these symptoms seem to persist for a prolonged period of time, be sure to reach out to your vet at the earliest and share your concerns. Your furry friend, for one, will thank you.
Causes of Pain: Learning to Differentiate
In medicine, pain is often classified into two distinct groups, acute and chronic. While acute pain, often brought on by trauma or surgery, lasts for a short period of time, dissipating as soon as the inflammation resolves – chronic pain is generally more complicated, progresses over time and can last as long as a lifetime if left untreated and unmanaged. Additionally, acute pain may develop into chronic pain if not recognized timely.
Worst case scenario, if chronic pain is left untreated, your pet is at the risk of becoming sensitized to pain to such a degree that even the slightest of pain is perceived to be much more painful than it is in reality. Thus, making early recognition, timely treatment and management extremely crucial to prevent an exaggerated form of pain perception from being developed.
Different issues can cause pain in animals, which often include:
Damage to bones or joints
Soft tissue injuries
Sprains
Back problems
Dental diseases
Ear, skin and urinary tract infections
Severe stomachaches
Cancer
Surgeries
Diagnosing and Managing Pain in Animals
Unfortunately, pain can often go unnoticed if it's not due to any obvious external injury. In that case, symptoms being experienced by your pet may be an extension of a larger, more profound problem, such as cancer or arthritis – common conditions that are responsible for significant amounts of pain in animals.
Most times, it's preferred to address the direct reason that is causing the pain. However, many times this isn't possible due to the highly complex nature – making it necessary to instead resolve to manage the discomfort.
Pain management relies heavily on the nature of the pain, whether acute or chronic, the chronicity of the discomfort and other underlying or comorbid health conditions being experienced by the animal. And while there are several simple changes you can make to your household environment to help reduce the discomfort during a long-standing painful condition, these are by no means a replacement for professional medical care and intervention.
Treating Animals in Pain
When treating pain, one can take several different trajectories, which largely depend on the type and chronicity of the pain. Treatment plans differ in their reactions, other comorbid health conditions, and desired outcomes. This is why a holistic approach is preferred by veterinarians to manage pain effectively.
Different forms of treatments plans can include:
Pain killers and medications
Massage or physiotherapy
Laser therapy
Pulsed Magnetic Treatment Therapy (PMFT)
Canine hydropathy
Acupuncture
How to Help Your Pet in Pain
Seeing your pet in pain can be one of the most painful experiences for a pet parent. And while pain may have a number of causes – some of which may be easier to fix than others – knowing there is a problem to begin with, can help find the source and nip it in the bud as soon as possible.
If you start to pick up signs that your pet is in pain, don’t panic. There are several things you can do to alleviate their discomfort.
1. Schedule an Appointment with Your Veterinarian
The first and most crucial thing you need to do is reach out to a trusted professional for an accurate diagnosis. This may require a rundown of diagnostic tests such as X-rays, blood tests and even an ultrasound to pinpoint the problem.
2. Don't hesitate to Get a Second Opinion and Explore all Treatment Plans.
When it comes to pain relief, there’s almost never a one-size-fits-all approach. So, don’t be scared to reach out to a few more reputable veterinarians to discuss your pet’s health concerns if you’re not completely satisfied with the first opinion you get.
Explore all the options out there. These may include medications, supplements, herbal therapies, cold laser therapy, physical rehabilitation or surgery.
3. Keep a Lookout for Pain Symptoms and Record Them
It’s always frustrating when your pet shows certain signs at home, but somehow, they never show up during your consultation with the veterinarian.
That’s why it’s always helpful to keep a pain journal and take a couple of pictures or videos of your pet showing signs of discomfort so that it’s easier for the professional to understand the scenario and make necessary changes to your pet’s routine.
4. Ask Questions. Lots of Them
It's perfectly alright to be concerned and unsure. You have every right to be. After all, you are your pet's health advocate. Your pet relies on you to be their voice, so make sure to voice your concerns, ask questions and request different treatment plans if need be.
Here are a few questions you may ask your veterinarian:
Are there any supplements that can alleviate my pet’s pain?
What changes can I make to their environment to help the pain subside?
What other treatment options are there?
How will my pet’s pain be managed post-surgery?
5. Follow Instructions Down to the T
Once you’re satisfied with your veterinarian's approach and have your mind at ease, please ensure to follow all instructions for the treatment. This means administering prescribed medications at their recommended times, following up with consultations even if symptoms subside, and other recommendations your practitioner may have for you.
What Not to do for Your Pet in Pain
No pet should experience untreated pain. And while it may be concerning to see your pet in pain, and you may be tempted to provide quick relief, it’s always best to seek professional advice and resort to medical intervention.
Never administer medication without prior consultation with your veterinarian, especially human painkillers that are poisonous to animals.
Don’t change the frequency or timing of the medication unless directed.
Avoid activities that seem to aggravate your pet’s pain.
Your Pet is Counting on You, Don’t Let Them Down
You are your pet's best health advocate, and they depend on you to be their voice. Pain, whether acute or chronic, is upsetting and can cause great hindrances in your pet's life. Knowing what to look for makes it easier for you to take these concerns to a reputable professional that will provide your pet with the necessary medical intervention to alleviate their pain.
To help your pet live their best life, good nutrition and hygiene can make all the difference in the world. Pain management is almost always followed by making necessary changes in their dietary habits, so they can live long, happy, healthy lives. Chews Pawsitive provides pet parents with premium quality treats and supplements that provide the perfect balance of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals.
This animal pain awareness month, let's join hands and promise to always love and care for our pets the same way they do. Be a voice to the voiceless. Your pet needs you!
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