September is Animal Pain Awareness Month, a month dedicated to educating pet owners on how to determine if your four-legged companion is in pain. Since pet’s can’t vocalize any pain they might be experiencing, it can be harder to detect their suffering. Therefore, we are sharing tips that will better assist you in determining whether your pet is in pain.
If you notice any of these signs, please contact us ASAP:
Decreased play and activity.
Not going up or downstairs.
Reluctance to leap (especially for cats).
Difficulty standing after lying down.
Decreased appetite (mouth pain).
Over-grooming or licking a selected area of the body.
what are the standard signs of pain in dogs?
General behavior: Shaking, flattened ears, low posture, aggression, grumpy temperament, panting or crying, excessive licking or scratching a selected area, reluctant to play, interact or exercise, lameness (limping), stiffness after rest, loss of appetite.
On touch or inspection: Licking lips, flinching, turning head, moving to avoid touch, crying or vocally reacting, panting, increase in respiratory or pulse , warmth of area, redness of area, swelling of area.
how to manage your pet’s pain?
There are several options when treating the cause of pain in our pets, as there are several main categories that pain can fall into. Each treatment is different for every pet dependent on their reaction, other health concerns, daily life activities and what outcome is needed. A combination of strategies can also be needed in order to manage pain effectively. Be sure to talk to one of our vets, so they can advise the best treatment/s for your pet.
Forms of treatment can include: