Paws-itive Press
Important Facts about Pet Pain
By Dr. Mark Planco
Pets are often stoic about their pain. They don’t want to burden us with their discomfort. It is natural for them to deal with the way they feel and continue doing their normal routine despite being in pain. In nature an animal that shows pain or weakness is targeted by predators, so they mask their pain as best as possible.
Our domesticated pets are far from wild animals but determining if they are in pain is often difficult. Acute pain is obvious, usually involves a vocalization and may be a serious injury. Chronic pain that comes on gradually with age is more difficult to recognize. Changes in behavior are often a good indicator of pain. Dogs or cats who uncharacteristically avoid contact or become aggressive when pet a certain way or on particular area may be in pain. Cats that don’t jump onto surfaces or dogs who won’t walk up stairs or get on their favorite couch or bed are likely to be avoiding that movement due to pain.
There are many ways to manage pet pain. Diet and exercise are important. Overweight animals with arthritis have more pain when painful joints are carrying excess weight. Low calorie food measured to appropriate amounts and limiting fatty treats will help weight loss and reduction of pain. Exercise in moderation keeps muscles strong and help support the joints. Over activity or inactivity will make the arthritis worse by either causing too much pain or causing muscle atrophy.
You can also provide assistance to your painful pets by providing them with accommodations at home. Ramps, steps to get into bed, raising the food and water bowl for large dogs, feeding cats on ground (assuming you don’t have a dog who’ll eat it) will make normal behavior easier.
Thankfully we have numerous very good and safe medications to manage chronic pain. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) are good pain mediators and don’t affects dogs or cats normal stomach protection. Joint supplements are made for dogs and cats and help to keep the joints as healthy as possible. There are additional stronger medications available when needed. Some cats and dogs are hard to medicate. We have several methods to medicate dogs and cats whether it is inside a flavored treat or given transdermally (through their skin). Thinking that you can’t give the medicine to your animal is not acceptable. Human medications are usually dangerous to pets and should never be used before consulting your veterinarian.
Acute or chronic pain affects our pets no different than it affects people. See through the language barrier and if you think your animal family member hurts, consult your veterinarian to help relieve their pain.
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Dr. Mark Planco’s compassion for animals has been a lifelong labor of love. He earned both his undergraduate and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degrees at the University of Florida. Dr. Planco has treated small and large animals since 1991, and has been in Palm Beach County since 1994. Dr. Planco is a member of the Palm Beach Veterinary Society, American Veterinary Medical Association and the Florida Veterinary Medical Association. Visit PlancoVetCare.com for further information or call 561-795-9507.
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Disclaimer: This column is not intended to provide information on which you should use to diagnose or treat a medical condition or delay seeking medical attention. This column is of no value with respect to any medical condition that needs prompt attention. If you have a question that needs an immediate answer, you should call your own veterinarian or emergency animal hospital, especially if you are confronting a medical emergency!
Furthermore, we urge you to always seek the advice of your own veterinarian, and you should not disregard, discount, or delay seeking the advice of your veterinarian because of any response posted in this column.