Don’t ask me why, but pets tend to hide pain. If only they realize we would do anything to take away the slightest discomfort they may feel. Animals can walk through life with undetected chronic (long -term) or acute (sudden) pain, so it’s our job to pay attention, know the signs and help our furry friends. There’s no better time than during “Animal Pain Awareness Month” to review the signs of animal pain so we can help our pets live pain-free.
There are obvious signs of animal pain that we shouldn’t have any problems identifying. Such signs can include whimpering/growling/hissing, biting or scratching someone if a particular spot is touched, and limping. The other not so obvious signs of pain are:
Behavioural Changes
-Licking/grooming a particular area
-Guarding
-Fatigue
-Changes in breathing/panting for unknown reason
-Lack of interest in walks
Changes in Routine
-Decreased appetite/water intake
-Accidents
-Changes in grooming Mobility Issues
-Difficulty doing stairs
-Difficulty getting up/laying down
-Decreased activity
-Changes in posture/arched back
Sometimes it’s easy to push these symptoms into the box labelled “an old dog”. However, if any of these signs come up, taking a trip to the vet to rule out any other health issue is best.
