How can my pet tell me he or she is in pain?

Nature has granted us the ability to feel pain or discomfort to help us survive.  Think about how our body responds to stimulus that is painful.  We sense discomfort or pain and automatically remove our body from the painful stimulus or vice versa.  The higher the degree of pain, the quicker we respond.

Although our pets feel pain the same way that we do, humans think and respond to pain a little differently.

For humans, pain in the mouth means that we will have to book an appointment with the dentist.  If we feel under the weather, we can decide to spend the day resting in bed.  If we twist our ankle, we may decide to stay away from running until it heals.  If we’re having a heart attack, we call 911 immediately. Humans use complex reasoning to determine how we want to respond (e.g. handle it yourself or seek help, when and from whom).  And for the most part, if you are hurt or ill, you tend not to hide it.

On the other hand, our pet’s number one goal is survival.  Their natural instincts determine their response to pain.  In order to survive, animals naturally hide signs of injury or illness else risk being tracked down by a predator.  In the wild, it is always the young, old or sick that tend to be eaten first.

Cats, compared to dogs, are particularly good at hiding pain.  They will continue to hide their pain until they are unable to compensate.  For example, I have seen pets with mouths full of diseased teeth (think oral abscess or root exposure) who are still eating normal amounts of kibble despite the pain.  This is because their biology tells them that since it is uncertain when the next meal is, there is no other option but to eat if they want to survive.  Therefore, as owners, it is easy to miss signs that our pets are hurting since they hide them so well.  Since our pets won’t tell us directly what they need or when they’re hurting, it’s up to us to be aware of the types and signs of pain.

Acute pain is easier to see as the signs tend to be more dramatic such as a fractured leg, where the pet is holding the leg up.  On the contrary, chronic pain can be harder to pinpoint since it tends to be gradual and longer-lasting.  This means that our pets have more time to adjust to the pain and so the signs tend to be more subtle.  Think of an old knee injury, where the discomfort varies from day to day.  Despite the chronicity of the pain, it does take a significant toll on the body over time.  For example, pets with osteoarthritis or previous injury on a leg may shift their weight abnormally, which will increase the stress (and pain) on other parts of the body and eventually secondary issues.

So what can you do as a pet owner?

Start by knowing what behaviour is normal for your pet.  Pay attention to how they move, run or jump.  Know their personality and understand their preferences.  This will help you spot abnormal behaviours a lot earlier.  Remember that all pets show signs of pain differently.  Please seek immediate veterinary attention should you see any changes in behaviour.

Signs of pain may include (but not exclusively) :

• loss of appetite or change in preference of food
• decreased activity or engagement with human or other pets
• hiding
• increased attention-seeking behaviour
• difficulty jumping
• panting or salivation
• posture changes – hunched posture or stiffness during walking
• aggression/irritability
• whining/moaning/ other vocalization
• incontinence

If you are worried that your pet may be suffering in silence, please schedule a pain assessment with one of the doctors.  We are here to help!