Dogs, and especially cats, have a tendency to hide their pain. This is a natural instinct to protect them from predators so they don't appear vulnerable. Because they won't always "show" their pain, and they obviously can't tell us they feel pain, we have to look for other signs that our pet may be painful. A good rule of thumb is that if it would hurt you, it most likely hurts them.
Some signs of pain in dogs include:
- They may be violent or vocalize, or be quiet, withdrawn, and inactive.
- They may be aggressive when approached as they try to protect themselves.
- They may lick the affected area.
- They may have decreased activity, such as reluctance to walk, climb stairs, jump or play.
- They may appear stiff and have difficulty rising from a resting position.
- They may limp or lag behind on walks.
- They may yelp or whimper in pain, or exhibit other personality changes.
- Hiding.
- Sitting immobilized or hunched.
- Poor or absent self grooming.
- Excessive self grooming of the painful area.
- Reduced social interactions with people or other pets.
- House soiling.
- Aggression.
- Vocalizing.
- Agitation or restlessness.
Pain is very subjective and difficult to measure, that's why it is important to know what to look for. We have learned that, when possible, preventing pain is much more affective than trying to treat pain once it has gotten rolling. For example, when your pet is undergoing a surgical procedure, he or she will be given what we call a "pre-med." This is a drug or combination of drugs that will help to stabilize and prevent pain as well as maintain your pet on a good plane of anesthesia once they undergo the surgery. Pets will receive post operative pain management as well, and are continually assessed by the nursing staff throughout the day.
There are three main types of pain medication used in veterinary medicine: Non-Steroidal-Anti-Inflammatory-Drugs (NSAIDs), Opioid, and Corticosteroids. NSAIDs are most commonly used for moderate pain and discomfort related to inflammation. Opioids are used for surgical procedures, or in advanced cases of cancer or severe arthritic pain where quality of life must be maintained. Corticosteroids are potent anti-inflammatories that may be used to treat a number of conditions, including pain control. Corticosteroids tend to have a lot of negative side-effects so they are often used as a last resort.
It is important to keep in mind that all of these drugs should be used with the appropriate dose and moderation. Cats are especially sensitive to NSAIDs and Opioids. You must follow the guidelines provided by your veterinarian for your pet's pain or you may inadvertently cause a bigger problem. For example, NSAIDs may cause stomach and intestinal problems as well as prolonged blood clotting time. Rimadyl, a popular NSAID used in dogs, may cause liver issues with long term use or overdosing. You veterinarian may want to do regular bloodwork to monitor your pet's health while on pain medication. All medications have side-effects, it's just a matter of finding that right balance where the pros outweigh the cons.
We all want our pets to be happy and pain free, but it's not always easy to know what they're feeling. Knowing the subtle signs can potentially make a big difference in your pet's quality of life. If you have further questions about pain control and your pet, talk to your veterinarian, or come see us here at Veterinary Associates of Cape Cod!
