The Truth About – and Consequences of – Pet Pain

As an inherited approach to self-preservation, animals are hardwired to mask any signs of weakness. Certainly, modern pets aren’t at risk of being attacked or eaten in their own homes, but that doesn’t stop them from hiding symptoms that would land them anywhere near the crosshairs. Without a doubt, pet pain can be very confusing to observe or decipher. Knowing what to look for can lead to early detection of an illness or injury, resulting in a better outcome for your pet.

The Pain Is The Same

Pet pain is just like human pain, except they cannot tell us where they hurt. Various conditions cause pet pain, but when it’s identified early on and treated, effective methods have an even greater impact on quality and length of life.

More Than Sensation

Undoubtedly, pet pain is deeply uncomfortable, but aside from the physical sensations, pain interferes with the body’s ability to heal and protect itself. Once we diagnose the reason(s) for pet pain, we can customize our approach to manage symptoms.

Pet Pain Management

Pet pain is effectively treated with medication. If pain is related to a surgical procedure, intravenous medication is administered before, during, and afterwards. Oral medication is given at check out to ensure your pet’s comfort at home.

Other cases, like pets with arthritis, broken bones or cruciate ligament tears benefit from anti-inflammatory medications in addition to other pain relievers. Treating age-related issues before they become debilitating can truly help with mobility, flexibility, and even endurance.

Shifts in Behavior

Even though our pets communicate with us in various special ways, the fact remains: we aren’t speaking the same language. Subtle and obvious behavioral cues will be your guide to recognizing whether or not your pet is in pain. For example:

• Decreased social interaction/withdrawal
• Lameness or limping
• Anxiety
• Uncharacteristic clinginess/submissiveness/aggression
• Refusal to move
• Whining or whimpering
• Howling or growling when you touch a certain part of the body
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Chewing or licking the same spot on the body repeatedly
• Hunched over posture
• Changes in urinary or defecation habits

Sometimes, signs of pet pain are almost completely unnoticeable. Even the most astute pet owners don’t always know to what extent their best friend is suffering. For example, oral pain is almost always missed by most pet owners. That’s why we advocate for routine wellness exams in order to detect any developing problems as early as possible.

If you have any questions or concerns about the signs of pet pain, and how we go about treating it, we encourage you to contact us at Conrad Weiser Animal Hospital.