Is My Pet In Pain? Signs Every Pet Owner Should Know

How many times have you wished your pet could talk to you? This is especially true when our pets experience pain. Pain is an unfortunate part of life, and, sadly, animals experience it just like people do. However, when pet owners know the first signs of pain in animals, they can seek support from their veterinarian and minimize suffering through diagnosis and treatment. 

The International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management has named September as Animal Pain Awareness Month, so pet owners like you can be prepared to support your pet’s health and wellbeing, especially when they need it most.

What Causes Pain in Pets? 

Pets can experience pain for various reasons. It’s essential to understand the difference between acute and chronic pain:

• Acute Pain: This type of pain is short-term and often linked to specific events like surgery or injury.
• Chronic Pain: Lasting three months or more, chronic pain is commonly associated with aging or ongoing conditions such as arthritis or disease.

Common triggers of pain in pets include, but are not limited to:

• Surgery of any type, large or small
• Tooth or gum disease, and dental procedures 
• Ear infections
• Injuries 
• Skin disease and skin allergies
• Arthritis
• Emotional distress 

Learn the Signs: Is Your Pet In Pain? 

Although our pets can’t talk to us, observant pet owners can watch for signs that their pets might be experiencing chronic or acute pain. Schedule an appointment with your veterinarian if you notice any of the following behaviors in your pet:

• Decreased activity
• Not going up or down stairs
• Reluctance to jump on surfaces (especially in cats)
• Difficulty standing after lying down
• Overgrooming or licking a particular area
• Decreased appetite

How Pain Can Be Treated in Pets

Pain isn’t something your pet has to live with, and many advancements have been made in the area of animal pain management.

• Medications: For specific causes of pain, a veterinarian can prescribe medication that can alleviate discomfort in pets.  It’s important to never give your dog pain medication on your own, as human pain medications can cause dangerous health conditions in animals. 
• Physical therapy: Exercises that improve mobility and function are great options to use less pain medication and help your pet avoid surgery. 
• Laser therapy: This new, innovative treatment can be used by itself or in conjunction with other treatments to heal tissue and decrease inflammation in pets.  
• Alternative therapies: Acupuncture, ultrasound, and therapeutic massage may also be useful in treating pain in your pet. 

Your pet deserves to live a comfortable, happy life, free from unnecessary discomfort. If you are local to the Littleton, MA area, our team at Littleton Animal Hospital wants to help by providing compassionate care and an effective treatment plan to alleviate your pet’s pain. Schedule your appointment today at (978) 486-3101.