Recognizing Pain
Recognizing pain in pets can be difficult. Animals hide their pain as a defense mechanism. Because they don't verbally tell us, we need to observe their behavior closely. From illness and post surgical to osteoarthritis, we have the tools for you to evaluate your pet's pain.
Check out the resources below for identifying pain in your pet and contact your veterinarian to share your findings.
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Pain in Dogs
BEHAVIORAL CHANGES
Keep an eye out for shifts in your dog’s behavior, such as increased irritability, aggression, or withdrawal.
MOBILITY ISSUES
Notice if your dog is limping, struggling with stairs, or having difficulty getting up or lying down.
APPETITE CHANGES
Changes in appetite including a decreased interest in food or water may be signs of pain.
EXCESSIVE GROOMING
Dogs may excessively lick or chew a specific area when experiencing pain or discomfort.
RESTLESSNESS
If your dog frequently changes resting spots or can’t find a comfortable position, it may be due to pain.
VOCALIZATION
While some dogs vocalize pain, others may whimper or whine when touched.
Pain in Cats
MOBILITY ISSUES
Notice if your cat is limping, struggling with stairs, or having difficulty getting up or lying down. Cats will often times avoid climbing onto their favorite perch or playing when they're in pain.
BEHAVIOR
If your cat is hiding more than usual and not coming out when called, it could be a sign of pain.
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APPETITE CHANGES
Changes in appetite including a decreased interest in food or water may be signs of pain.
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GROOMING HABITS
Cats may groom less when in pain, leading to a disheveled appearance.
LITTER BOX BEHAVIOR
Changes in litter box habits, such as urinating outside the box or straining to urinate, can be signs of pain.
INCREASED AGITATION
Cats may become more irritable and aggressive when they are in pain.
VOCALIZATION
Some cats may meow excessively when experiencing discomfort.
Check This Out
If you think your pet is displaying signs of pain, please contact Firgrove Veterinary Clinic for an evaluation.
Identifying Post-Operative Pain in Your Pet
Pain is associated with surgery has both physical and emotional components. A vital role for both the veterinary team and the pet parent is to provide compassionate care to your pet by preventing and managing pain.
For cats pain is more difficult to assess compared to dogs - the signs are more subtle. For cats there are not as many types of pain or anti-inflammatory medication to use compared to dogs so monitoring and adjusting treatments as needed is vital.
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Signs of pain that a pet might show at home:
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Loss of appetite and refusal to drink.
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Decreased activity or not wanting to walk.
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Panting, shaking, or trembling.
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Licking or chewing at surgical site.
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Decreased grooming.
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Flinching or increased body tension when surgical site is touched gently.
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Avoiding laying down on the incision or frequent repositioning.
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Changes in general behavior:
- A pet who is normally vocal acting subdued.
- A pet who is normally quiet is vocalizing more.
- Reduced interaction with other pets and owners.
- Inappropriate urination and defecation (e.g. in the house).
- Aggression
- Abnormal posture
- Restlessness
- Hiding
If any of the above is occurring while you've been administering the recommended dose of the pain medication that was prescribed, please contact our team for guidance. Pain control is not "one-size-fits-all".
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Care Beyond Medication
Along with the appropriate pain medication, environmental changes can be helpful for pets post-operatively.
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Extra padding on bedding
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Raised food dishes
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Non-slip surfaces (e.g. rugs, rubber matting or soft linking play mats) to help your pet walk around if your house has a hardwood or other slick flooring.
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Most procedures require activity restrictions during the post-operative period. This means your pet may not be able to sleep, or even reside, in their normal area. If your pet is used to sleeping with you, you can make them more comfortable by bringing their crate to where you're located or bring your bedding to their location to sleep for the night.
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Identifying the difference between anxiety and pain:
The first 24-hours your pet is home after hospitalization is the most common time for anxiety to be seen. If your pet is vocalizing or struggling, but calms down when approached or touched, the behavior is more likely to be anxiety rather than pain. If not, your pet may be experiencing pain.
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Post-Operative Bowel Movements:
Many patients may not have a bowel movement for 4-5 days post operatively due to anesthesia, pain medications, and fasting periods prior to the procedure. In addition, lack of appetite and decreased movement during post-operative exercise restriction play a role in decreased bowel mobility. This is to be expected and is not a concern so long as your pet is not straining or acting painful while trying to pass a bowel movement. If you're concerned, please reach out to your veterinary team.
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Often times, diarrhea is actually mistaken for constipation. As odd as this sounds, both bowel issues present with straining. Monitor your pets potty areas and ensure you're not finding small amounts of liquid stool before contacting your veterinary team. If your pet is having diarrhea, this two can be from the procedure. Stress from visiting the hospital and certain medications can cause GI distress. Contact your veterinary team if your pet is experiencing post-operative diarrhea.
Osteoarthritis Pain in Dogs
Helpful Information Provided by Zoetis
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There are a variety of factors that put dogs at risk of developing OA (osteoarthritis)
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Genetics: Genetics have a specific relationship to joint diseases
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Breed: Certain breeds are at risk of developing joint diseases
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Body weight: An increased load on weight-bearing joints increases the risk of joint disease
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Conformation: Body, leg size, and joint angles contribute to joint disorders
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Injury: Injuries are a common cause of OA
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Age: While joint deterioration can increase with age and cause OA, young dogs are also at risk
Recognizing OA Pain in Dogs
Review the valuable resources from Zoetis below
Does your dog display any of these behaviors?
All videos provided by Zoetis
Limping
Limping when first waking up or after exercise is a sign of OA pain.
Difficulty Jumping
Difficulty jumping, reluctance to jump up, and "missed" jumps are all signs of OA pain.
Difficulty with Stairs
Difficulty with stairs, bunny hopping up and down stairs, and reluctance to use stairs are all signs of OA pain in dogs.
Lagging behind on walks
Lagging behind or reluctance during walks is a sign of OA pain in dogs.
Feeling stiff
Stiffness in movement is a sign of OA pain.
Slow to rise
Have you ever noticed that it takes your dog a long time to stand up, or that they struggle to stand up? This is a sign of OA pain.
Use this checklist to identify your dog’s activities and behaviors that may be signs of osteoarthritis. Then click “See Report”. Your responses can be printed or emailed to share with your veterinarian.
What's your dog trying to tell you?
If you feel that your pet is displaying signs of OA pain, please call Firgrove Veterinary Clinic for an evaluation with treatment options today.
Osteoarthritis Pain in Cats
Helpful Information Provided by Zoetis
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It is a cat's instinct to hide or mask its pain, making pain difficult to diagnose. Behavior changes reported helps your cat's veterinarian identify clinical signs of osteoarthritis and other pain in your cat.
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Clinical Signs of Osteoarthritis in Cats
• Hesitation or difficulty to jump up or down.
• Reduced movement and/or mobility
• Hesitation or difficulty to climb up or down steps
• Decreased grooming
• Difficulty getting up, standing, or walking
• Temperament or other substantial behavior changes for your cat (eg, seeking soitude, aggression)
• Sensitivity or vocalization to petting or touch
• Diminished exercise tolerance and general activity
• Changes in urination or defecation habits
• Withdrawn or hiding
• Decreased appetite or no interest in food
• Hunched or tucked-up position instead of curled-up when sleeping
• Squinting
Recognizing OA Pain in Cats
Does your cat display any of these behaviors?
All videos provided by Zoetis
Did you know that more than 60% of cats over the age of 6 are affected by osteoarthritis? Or that OA can start in cats as young as 6 months of age?
Signs of OA:
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Climbing the stairs using a bunny hop rather than all four limbs.
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Angling their body to the side to go down the stairs one step at a time.
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Stopping halfway up/down the stairs for a break
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Loss of muscle mass, especially in the hind end, leading to a smaller frame.
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Slow down to take breaks during play or reluctant to play. Doesn't extend hind legs to reach body towards toys.
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Tries to play more laying down.
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Reluctant to jump up or hesitates before jumping up.
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Doesn't clear jumps in one leap and/or uses front limbs to pull their body up.
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Hesitates before jumping down and chooses to make several small jumps to slowly get down to the ground. Reaches down to the ground instead of leaping.
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Moves at a slower speed when walking and alternates between jogging and walking rather than moving consistently at a higher speed.
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Angles back feet together while walking.
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Reluctance to play with other pets they would interact with in the past.
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Impatient or aggressive with other pets and/or people.
Use this checklist to identify your cat’s activities and behaviors that may be signs of osteoarthritis. Then click “See Report”. Your responses can be printed or emailed to share with your veterinarian.
