September Is Animal Pain Awareness Month
by Casey Hampf
By: Judy Hamontre, AVHS Vice Chair
“Daisy, you’re pacing nonstop. Why? What is going on?”
“Penelope, you’re hiding this morning. That is not normal for you. Are you ok?”
“Scottie, you did not eat your breakfast. Is something wrong?”
Many pet owners have asked similar questions of their cats and dogs when they exhibit behaviors that are not ordinary. We fear they might be sick or in pain and wish they could talk to us to tell us how they feel.
According to Dr. Dana Varble, Chief Veterinary Officer of The North American Veterinary Community (NAVC), “Animals experience pain very much like humans, but unlike people, animals often hide their pain, making it difficult for us to know when something is wrong.”
The NAVC, a nonprofit organization that supports veterinary professionals around the world, cites that 45 million household pets suffer from chronic or acute pain.
To address this issue, the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management (IVAPM) was established in 2001. One of their purposes, as stated on their website, is “to educate and inform pet owners about their pet’s health and well-being when it comes to pain management, be it acute or chronic pain.”
In 2015, the organization proclaimed September as Animal Pain Awareness Month to “help raise awareness about the prevalence of pain in animals and to educate pet owners on how to identify and manage it because recognizing and addressing pain in animals is crucial for their overall health and quality of life. We want to ensure that pets receive the care they need to live pain-free lives.”
Acute pain usually can be detected, but signs of chronic pain are much more subtle and therefore harder to notice.
Based on information from IVAPM, NAVC and 5 different veterinary animal hospitals throughout our country, any of the following behaviors may be indications your pet is experiencing chronic discomfort or pain:
Decreased activity or slowing down in activity, including not playing as much.
Difficulty with mobility, such as: limping; reluctant to climb up and down stairs; hesitant to jump, especially for cats; difficulty standing after lying down; and struggling to get in and out of a litter box for cats and for dogs squatting to potty outdoors.
Withdrawing and hiding.
Decreased eating and/or drinking.
Repeatedly licking or chewing one spot. Changes in grooming behavior, including over grooming or decreased grooming.
Heavy panting. Fast, shallow or rapid breathing.
Restlessness, such as pacing, difficulty settling down and changes in sleep patterns.
Increased irritability and agitation.
Shaking and shivering.
Vocalization changes, such as excessive whining, growling or meowing.
These behaviors may indicate discomfort or pain, but they may also be signs of a different problem. It is recommended to schedule a visit with your pet’s veterinarian, with a detailed account of your observations, if you have any questions about indicators of pain or discomfort.
Then, your furry friend can receive the medical care necessary to determine the problem and possible plans for treatment. Today, there are several different approaches to pain management for pets which your veterinarian can discuss with you.
Being aware of possible signs of animal pain and discomfort can help you find issues earlier and help start treatment sooner.
As September is Animal Pain Awareness Month, looking out for signs of animal pain or discomfort is one way to help our beloved cats and dogs live longer, quality lives.
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