The month of September is marked as Animal Pain Awareness Month for pets.
It is a month to educate you on the signs and symptoms related to pain awareness in your pet’s health. Pets are our family members, but unlike our human family members talking to them and understanding how they are feeling can be challenging and hard. Pets show signs of them in pain and discomfort much different than us; often, our dogs suffer in silence. Sometimes it is hard to understand or recognize. Here are some signs to help you understand if something more is going on with your animal, such as pain.
- Antisocial or aggressive behaviour – If your once loving, cuddling animal starts to become aggressive, tail down, growl when near them or hides away. It could be a definite tale tail sign of pain.
- Being more vocal – Excessive yelping, growling, howling or snarling could be your animal is trying to tell you something is hurting.
- Laboured breathing or panting heavily – Panting on hot days or when get excited is normal. However, when an animal is panting heavily or laboured breathing could mean that is more painful to take a breath and should be checked.
- Shaking and trembling – If your animal is shaking or trembling for no other reason then being cold. Please have them checked. Shaking & trembling could be a sign of pain caused by something more serious such as, pancreatitis, poisoning, kidney disease or possibly something broken.
- Body Posture – When in pain or discomfort, some animals will have very stiff and a hunched stance while others will do the “prayer” posture with their front legs on the ground and bottom in the air. This Prayer stance is often done when they are suffering from abdominal pain as this allows then to stretch this area out.
- Not eating – When an animal has a healthy appetite and suddenly decides to stop eating or eating very little. It could mean abdominal pain, as well.
If you see any of the above signs in your animal first and foremost seek medical attention with your vet. Your veterinarian is professionally trained to understand what is exactly going on with them. Once you have an understanding of whats going on with your animal and have the proper remedies and prescriptions, they can lead a happier, healthier life!
If you have any questions, please contact us today.
Written by: Torbay Road Animal Hospital
