Unfortunately for pet owners, our pets are unable to tell us when they are in pain. It can be very difficult to determine if your pet is in pain or otherwise unwell. This article looks at the main types of pain that can affect our pets and the different symptoms to look out for.
Types Of Pain
Acute Pain
Acute pain is typically obvious and distressing in pets and is usually a response to some kind of stimulus such as crushing or twisting or a tissue injury that is the result of a bruise, wound or surgical incision. Acute pain is generally short-lived and typically resolves within 3 days after the event that caused it.
Chronic Pain
Chronic pain describes any type of pain that lasts longer than expected or pain that is associated with long-term diseases such as osteoarthritis. Symptoms of chronic pain may be more subtle than acute pain symptoms and can be mistakenly attributed to "getting old" or "slowing down" which often means that the underlying cause of pain is left untreated. Dr Carl offers a wide range of dog joint supplements.
Other Types of Pain
Other types of pain include pain caused from cancerous tumour growths or pain from chemotherapy or radiation treatment. Neuropathic pain is caused by nerve damage or damage to another part of the central nervous system and can be difficult to diagnose.
Signs of pain in dogs
Physical signs:
- Heavy breathing
- Slowed reflexes
- Enlarged pupils
- Change in heart rate
Behavioural signs:
- Irritability
- Unusual restlessness or anxiety
- Mood or personality changes
- Withdrawn behaviour
- Licking, biting or overgrooming the site of pain
- Reduced activity
- Reluctance to lie down or difficulty standing after lying down
- Reduced appetite
- Whining or barking
Signs of pain in cats
Physical signs:
- Sitting still and hunched up
- Faster and more shallow breathing
- Change in heart rate
- Enlarged pupils
Behavioural signs:
- Irritability
- Unusual restlessness, anxiety or aggression
- Mood or personality changes
- Withdrawn behaviour and hiding
- Loss of interest in people or other pets or clingy behaviour
- Licking, biting or over grooming the site of pain or neglecting to groom altogether
- Inability or reluctance to jump up onto surfaces
- Reluctance to lie down or difficulty standing after lying down
- Reduced appetite
- Excessive meowing, purring, growling or unusual vocalizations
- Doing their business outside the litter box
