How Do I Know if My Pet is in Pain?

How Do I Know if My Pet is in Pain?

            Pain in animals can be difficult to assess, especially chronic pain. Our pets have an instinct to hide pain. As their guardians, it falls to us to ensure pets are not experiencing chronic pain and are living their best lives.  Some medical conditions may cause fairly obvious pain such as wounds, surgery, or a broken bone.  Other conditions that often cause pain but may be less obvious are some forms of cancer, dental disease, arthritis and things like skin infections or bladder infections. Pain can be mild or severe, acute or chronic and some pets are more sensitive to pain than others.  While not always easy to spot, these are some signs a might a pet display if he or she is in pain.

• Vocalization—surprisingly, most pets will NOT cry or whimper if they are in pain. The exception is acute pain-i.e. you accidentally step on your dog’s or cat’s paw, he is likely to yelp or yowl due to sudden pain.  Severe or ongoing pain may also cause pets to whine or cry out.  Pets with chronic pain such as arthritis are usually silent, though some will moan or groan when they try to get up or lie down.
• Changes in movement or posture—pets who are in pain may be reluctant to move, they may be hunched, slow, or may show obvious lameness, and they may struggle to get up or down.  Pain may also cause pacing or restless behavior or constantly lick or chew at a painful area.  You may also notice your pet’s tail stays low or even tucked under the body if he or she is in pain. 
• Changes in behavior—pets experiencing pain may be less interested in food, may stop grooming (especially cats), could experience changes in bathroom behaviors, and may display uncharacteristic aggression or quiet, docile behavior. A dog or cat in pain may growl, hiss or try to bite if a painful area is touched. Some pets may either withdraw or hide while others may be more clingy or seek attention from their owners. Panting, squinting, or grimacing may also indicate pain.

As you can see, symptoms of pain may vary and are often vague, but any significant change in a pet’s normal behavior is often an indicator of pain.  If you think your pet is in pain, seek veterinary care. There are multiple medications and other treatments for most types of acute and chronic pain to keep them comfortable.

This blog brought to you by the Patton Veterinary Hospital serving Red Lion, York and the surrounding communities.

https://www.vin.com/apputil/content/defaultadv1.aspx?id=7054610&pid=12886

https://www.petmd.com/cat/symptoms/how-tell-if-cat-pain

https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/riney-canine-health-center/canine-health-information/recognizing-pain-dogs