09/12/2024
I haven't posted anything a while so I decided that I would post this on signs of pain. It is a little long but I hope it helps you understand pain in your pets and what to look for.
Unlike humans, who tend to vocalize their pain, pets instinctively mask their discomfort. Because of this, it can be hard to know when your pet has a toothache or other condition that’s causing them pain. While our pets can’t tell us when something is wrong, there are other ways they show they are hurting. It’s important to be able to identify these telltale signs of pain.
1. Drooling If you notice your pet drooling when it’s not mealtime, it could mean they have an oral cavity or abdominal pain. Your pet may also have trouble chewing hard foods if they’re experiencing a toothache.
2. Shaking and trembling. Your pet may shake or tremble if they experience muscle pain, abdominal pain, or pain in their back or spine. Pets also tend to tremble when they’re in pain because of arthritis or any physical trauma.
3. Tense muscles and twitching. Your pet may twitch or have tense muscles if they’ve been injured or are experiencing nerve-related pain.
4. Rapid heart rate and breathing. Increased heart rate and rapid breathing (panting) could indicate severe physical pain.
5. Whimpering or groaning. When your pet whimpers or cries out for apparently no reason, seek help from your veterinarian to determine the underlying cause.
6. Aggression. Pain can lead to increased aggression and behaviors such as growling, snapping, and even biting in pets . If you attempt to touch a pet experiencing extreme pain, there is a good chance they will respond with aggression.
7. Excessive licking. You may have heard the phrase “lick your wounds,” and that’s exactly what pets do. If you see your pet constantly licking themselves, they may be trying to soothe pain from arthritis, an injury, or another cause. Keep in mind this can also lead to hot spots, or red patches that develop from your pet licking the same spot repeatedly.
8. Restlessness. A pets experiencing pain can have a hard time getting comfortable and may start acting restless. They may also: Hide, become antisocial, forget house rules like going outside to p*e or p**p, limping or difficulty walking, Abnormal gait. your pet may lose their balance and stumble which can lead to issues with their gait (manner of walking), Difficulty standing up or lying down, they may also have problems going up and down the stairs, Lack of appetite. a pet who is in pain may not be as hungry as usual. This can happen because of pain anywhere in their body.
If you have any questions or are concerned that you pet maybe in pain please call we can setup a appointment to see Dr. Cameron to discuss diagnostics and medication(s) to treat.
