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Please note, this article is sourced from the
USA. It is intended as an information resource only. Please consult
your local veterinarian for advice and treatment.
When you're in pain, you know it. If a friend or family member has a
bellyache or a sharp pain in their leg, you'll probably hear about
it—unless that friend or family member is an animal.
If a pet is acting strange and doesn't feel well, it's not so easy
to answer the questions "Where does it hurt?" or "How badly does it
hurt?" Dr. Rachael Carpenter at the University of Illinois
Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Urbana USA, explains that
veterinarians like her have been searching for ways to answer these
questions for decades. "We’re just now starting to learn more about
how to identify pain in animals."
Pain is difficult to assess in humans, and even more so in animals.
Dr. Carpenter says, "Some species intuitively hide their pain if
they expect their pack would leave them behind if they are injured,
while other species will more readily exhibit signs of pain, such as
limping, if they expect their pack will help them."
Behaviours that indicate pain are
sometimes
best observed by the owner.
For example, a dog in pain may lick its injury or seek attention and
cuddling from its people, whereas a cat may run off and hide if it
feels pain. Observation cameras in animal hospital recovery wards
have shown that even dogs may inadvertently hide their pain,
especially if they have a temporary reason to forget about it.
 "These cameras show that a dog in pain may get excited when a person
comes into the room, jumping up, wagging its tail and showing no
signs of discomfort, but as soon as the person leaves, the dog will
curl up and lick its wound."
Assessing pain can also be difficult for veterinarians since pets
tend to act stoic in front of strangers in a clinical setting. Dr.
Carpenter points out that at home, with members of their "pack,"
pets may be more comfortable displaying signs of pain."
Behaviours that indicate pain are sometimes best observed by the
owner. Owners know their pet's normal behaviours and reactions, and
they spend a lot of time with their pets, so they are usually the
first to notice when something changes."
For example, when her own dog had episodes of abdominal pain, Dr.
Carpenter noticed that the dog did not jump on the couch like she
normally does. Sometimes a pet may show obvious signs of pain such
as whining, limping or yelping when touched, or the signs may be
subtle, such as a slight change in the way the pet lies, sits or
moves.
Once an owner clues into her pet's discomfort, a veterinarian can
examine the animal and try to pinpoint to location of the pain. A
veterinarian may examine common areas of painful injury, including
the limbs, neck, spine and abdomen. A veterinarian may also flex the
limbs and head through their ranges of motion, observing if and when
the animal tenses up, pulls away, or vocalizes.
Heart rate and respiratory rate may also be monitored in long-term
patients, such as those recovering from surgery, since these
measurements can indicate stress, and possibly pain levels in
animals.
Many things can cause a pet’s pain, and Dr. Carpenter says common
causes of abdominal pain include gastrointestinal parasites or other
infection, pancreatitis and ingestion of a foreign object such as a
ball or coin. Intervertebral disc disease, traumatic injury and
sprains or strains can cause acute pain in the back, neck and
extremities. Sometimes pets can experience general soreness and
stiffness from excessive exercising and playing—similar to what
people may feel after a strenuous work-out.
Once a veterinarian determines a pet is experiencing pain, the next
step is to treat the pain. Post-operative pain can be managed by
intravenous medications or transdermal patches that deliver
medication through the skin. Oral medications, in either liquid or
pill form, can be used in a hospital setting or at home.
"In the old days of veterinary medicine, pain management was not a
priority," says Dr. Carpenter. "But today we know that pain can be
detrimental. When we alleviate pain, animals feel better, have a
better appetite, sleep better and get on their feet sooner, and all
this contributes to faster healing and recovery."
For more information about pain and your pet, contact your
veterinarian.
Veterinary Extension/Office of Public Engagement
University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine
Source: Dr. Rachael Carpenter
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