When you go to your doctor,
he might ask: Where does it hurt? Does it hurt when you move? Does it
hurt when I press on it? How much does it hurt? What kind of pain is it?
The answers to these questions are invaluable in formulating a treatment
plan. Your veterinarian has to make the same type of assessments
on our pets, without the benefit of direct questioning. Dogs and cats not
only cannot say “Doc, it hurts here”, but their instincts tell them to hide
their pain. In the wild, this instinct is beneficial – hiding weakness
reduces the chance of being driven out of the pack (dogs) or off of their
territory (cats), making survival much more difficult. As domestic
animals, this instinct is detrimental; treating the pain will improve your
pet’s quality of life, leading to a longer and happier life.
Although you
or your veterinarian might be able to elicit signs of pain when manipulating
joints and limbs, a lack of easily-identifiable response (yelping, flinching,
moving away, snapping) does NOT mean pain is not present. These signs are
most often associated with acute pain – pain due to an injury, surgery, or
diseases such as pancreatitis. In contrast, chronic pain develops slowly,
over an extended time period, and lasts for weeks or longer.
Osteoarthritis and dental disease are two examples of chronic pain.
Chronic pain is the type of pain most likely to be hidden by our pets, and is
also the type of pain least likely to be associated with the easily-identifiable
pain signs mentioned earlier. In fact, many of the signs of chronic pain
are attributed to “getting older”.
Here is a list of some of the signs that
your older cat or dog might be experiencing chronic pain issues:
- Movement:
reluctant to move, prolonged periods of sitting or lying down, difficulty
getting up or lying/sitting down, abnormal gait/lameness, restlessness,
reduced playing, lack of enthusiasm for daily exercise.
Trembling or shaking (constant or intermittent), panting (constant
or intermittent).
- Posture:
drooping head, tucking abdomen, arched back, sitting or laying down in an
abnormal position.
- Temperament:
hiding, avoiding social interaction with people and/or other pets, change
in normal behavior or normal behavior or routines, change in temperament (i.e.,
social dog becomes anti-social, aloof cat becomes very social)
- Appetite:
decrease in appetite, not chewing food well, dropping food.
- Grooming:
general decrease in grooming, additional grooming/licking to a particular
area.
- Vocalization: one of the least common signs of chronic pain,
but if grunting/whining/crying out
are present, they should not be ignored. Cat owners please
note: cats in pain will still purr when they are in pain of any
degree!
There are many ways to
address pain and discomfort in our pets, and medication is only one component
of a well-rounded strategy to keep your cat or dog comfortable. Some
commonly-used treatments include:
- Nursing care: soft bedding,
warmth, proper nutrition.
- Physical
therapy: massage, heat, ice, specific exercises.
- Neutraceuticals:
cartilage-protecting supplements, such as Cosequin®.
- Analgesics:
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, steroids,
opiates
If you are concerned that your
pet is in pain, please consult with your veterinarian. He or she will
perform a thorough physical exam, take a history, and work with you to
construct a treatment plan so that your dog or cat lives many happy, pain-free
years.
Brandy Schmidt
Licensed Veterinary
Technician
Seven Hills Animal
Hospital
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