We want your pet to be as
Comfortable
as possible. Pain in animals is just as significant and just as common as in people. When it comes to pain thresholds, each animal is unique. Dogs and cats can manage to hide their pain well. We, along with you as a loving pet owner, do not want to see your best friend feeling any discomfort. Pain management is very important to us at World of Animals Veterinary Hospital.
ACUTE PAIN
Acute pain comes on suddenly as a result of an injury, surgery, inflammation or infection. It can be extremely uncomfortable for your pet, and it may limit his or her mobility. The good news is that it’s usually temporary. It generally goes away when the condition that causes it is treated.
CHRONIC PAIN
Chronic pain is long-lasting and usually slow to develop. Some of the more common sources of chronic pain are age-related disorders, such as arthritis, but it can also result from illnesses such as cancer or bone disease. This pain may be the hardest to deal with because it can go on for years, or for an animal’s entire lifetime. Also, because it develops slowly, some animals may gradually learn to tolerate the pain and live with it. This can make chronic pain difficult to detect.
Animals instinctually hide pain. How do you know when your pet is hurting? Look for any of the following signs:
- Being Unusually Quiet, Listless, Restless or Unresponsive
- Whining, Whimpering, Howling, Panting or Constantly Meowing
- Biting
- Constantly Licking or Chewing at a Particular Part of the Body
- Acting Funny and Out of Character, Whether Aggressively or Submissively
- Flattening Ears Against the Head
- Anxiety or Agitation
- Hiding
- Reluctant to Move
- Having Trouble Sleeping or Eating
- Seeking a Lot More Affection than Usual
- Unable to Get Comfortable (e.g., Constantly Changing Positions to Find the Most Comfortable Position)
- Trembling
- Not Eating
Use caution when your pet is in pain.
Because our fur-babies aren’t able to tell us when something is wrong, it’s important for you, the pet parent, to take note of any changes in their behavior. Look for any of the following signs that maybe your pet’s way of saying “I hurt.”
Many animals, especially cats, naturally disguise signs of pain to protect themselves from predators. However, the lack of obvious signs does not mean they aren’t experiencing pain. If the injury, illness or experience is one that sounds painful to you, it is likely painful to your pet. Modern pain management medications and techniques can safely and effectively control pain with little to no side effects.
Considerations on grooming
Even the most loving animal can lash out when in pain, so make sure to use caution if you suspect your pet may be in some discomfort. Grooming pets with chronic pain like arthritis, sore joints, and other pain issues may make the grooming procedure difficult, especially if they are not on any medications. The comfort of your pets should always come first. Pain is not limited to senior pets; often, younger pets can exhibit pain, especially those who have had past injuries or genetic issues like hip dysplasia—allowing your pet to rest and lay down during the groom whenever possible is best. Not every part of the grooming process requires a pet to stand. Usually, with these pets, it is suggested to do a one-length trim all over rather than a breed-specific trim.
Breed pattern trims require a dog to stand longer to be sure the lines for the pattern are even on both sides. Doing one length all over is putting humanity before vanity. Also, keeping the nails trimmed and short can help alleviate joint and muscle pain. Long nails can expand the toes, causing a change in your dog’s gait. This can lead to joint problems and pain. Think of it when you are wearing two different shoes with varied sole thickness. If you are aware of your pet’s pain history, it might be best to bring your older pups in for a morning grooming appointment to get them in and out as quickly and safely as possible. So, they can get back home to enjoy the laid-back dog life.
