I didn’t know it until yesterday that September is Animal Pain Awareness Month. Since we deal with pets that have so many painful ailments, I wanted to share this month with all of you in hopes that this post could help you notice the signs of pain in your pets. Our pets cannot tell us when they are hurting; it is our job as their owners to notice the changes in behavior that point to something being wrong. The earlier a pet’s ailments are caught, the more effective treatment and pain management can be. So many of the pets that we bring into Laber of Love Pet Rescue are in pain that they didn’t have to be in. We quickly address that and get them feeling as good as we can!
So, what are the signs to watch out for? Here are a few:
* Decreased activity – your pet may not be playing as much as they usually do, or they may avoid going up or down stairs.
* Reluctance to jump – your pet may start to avoid jumping on higher surfaces/perches that they once used to love. This is especially true with felines.
* Difficulty in getting up – you may see an increase in difficulty standing after your pet has been lying down.
* Loss of appetite – your pet may lose interest in eating foods that they once enjoyed. This can signal pain in a variety of areas, including dental, joints, and abdominal. Loss of appetite can also signify many other illnesses as well, so it is important to see your Vet if you notice your pet losing interest in food.
* Excessive grooming – your pet may constantly lick their paws or one spot on their body.
* Change in posture – you may notice a change in your pet’s posture. This can be from abdominal pain, joint pain, or back pain.
* Changes in walking – you may notice your pet walking stiffly or favoring a leg. This is an obvious sign of pain and should not be taken lightly.
* Loss of muscle mass – you may notice that your pet is losing muscle mass. This is generally a pet that is not moving around as much due to pain, thus the loss of muscle.
* Changes in behavior – your pet that was once friendly and outgoing may now withdraw from attention or nip/bite when approached. A once quiet pet may vocalize more often; they may whine or cry out when you don’t notice anything happening. A pet that has never urinated in the house may suddenly begin to do so.
Some of these signs are more obvious than others. Some can mean more than one thing, not just that your pet is in pain. This is why it is important to have a relationship with a trusted Vet that sees your pet every year. Your Vet may notice changes that you don’t see. Your Vet can run the necessary diagnostics to determine why your pet is having the symptoms you are seeing.
With the proper diagnosis, proper treatment plans can be provided and medications given. Your pet doesn’t necessarily need to be in pain. We have seen it many times. With proper medications and care, our pets can live a much better life and be much happier! Exactly as they deserve and we want for them!
Nicole Laber, Cofounder and Fospice Mom