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Understanding Animal Pain
Do you ever wish you could "talk to the animals" like James Herriott or Dr. Dolittle? Feel you have a deep connection to your pet, but worry when they don't seem quite right and you can't put your finger on the problem? Most owners who pay close attention to their pets' daily routine, body language, and other forms of communication can tell when their animal friend isn't feeling well. It is your job, along with your veterinary team, to determine if your pet is hurting, the source of the problem, and what can be done to assist in healing.
In the wild, many animal species learn if they display signs of illness or pain, they quickly become vulnerable to predators or elimination from their social and family groups. Though domestic animals such as the dog and cat no longer need to employ adaptive responses for survival, many of these behaviors remain. Thus, it can be difficult to determine when and where physical or emotional stress in our pets emerges. Though our pets may continue to eat, eliminate, and look quiet and content, appearances can be deceiving if survival mechanisms are being utilized.
Before we can look at what signs your pet may exhibit if in pain, let's explain a bit about the physiological basis for pain. Our pets' responses to injury or illness are very similar to our own. The pathways that modulate pain are complex, which is why there is no "one size fits all" approach to managing or eliminating pain and stress. Beginning at the tissue level, peripheral nerves made up of different sized fibers begin a complicated relay of signals. These signals are transmitted via the release and re-uptake of chemical messengers called neurotransmitters. The transmission and modulation of these messages along the nervous pathways culminates in the perception of pain at the level of the brain. From here, our bodies and those of our animal friends can react in a multitude of ways. Veterinarians and other animal caregivers can intervene at any point along this path to decrease the level of pain perceived, provide comfort, and expedite healing.
Not all pain is bad. Physiologic or acute pain, such as that which occurs after knee surgery or a bite wound, is both a normal and predictable outcome to a traumatic event. Pathological pain persists past resolution of the disorder or event and is counter-productive. Peripheral nerves become hyper-sensitized to stimulation, the pain ceases to become protective, healing is delayed, and long-term changes to the animal's central nervous system occur. Pathological pain may be experienced by a dog suffering from osteoarthritis, a cat who still limps months after being declawed, or a senior pet with an aggressive bone tumor.
Veterinarians, technicians, therapists, and owners typically try to alleviate clinical signs associated with pain. Methods may include: administering medications such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatories or opiates, homeopathics such as Arnica, massage therapy, acupuncture, laser therapy, and even using medicinal grade oils to lessen pain. As mentioned, sometimes combinations of treatments are administered to maximize the response and work at different points along the pain path. Intervention is most successful when it precedes a painful stimulus (surgery).
Cats and dogs respond to pain in similar ways. The following behaviors can occur independently or together, especially as pain intensifies. Some animals will vocalize (meowing, hissing, purring, growling, whimpering, or crying) when hurting. This may occur when a tender area of the body is being examined or touched. Often, daily habits change. Urination or defecation frequency can decrease or increase or animals will eliminate in unusual areas. Cats with urinary tract infections or constipation may come to associate the litterbox with pain, thus choosing an alternate location to eliminate. Sleep duration may decrease or increase, as animals that are uncomfortable may be restless and have difficulty finding a comfortable position. Appetite and water consumption may increase or decrease. Dogs may pant more frequently and cats may have increased respirations. As pain becomes severe, respirations may become deep and slow. Activity level changes are often the first indication your pet is experiencing pain. Watch for restlessness, reluctance to move, decreased grooming (cats), difficulty in rising, repetitively getting up and lying down, excessive licking, biting (either a painful body part or a human), trembling, limping, attention seeking, avoiding being handled, and hiding or withdrawing from social interaction. Postures and expressions typical of a distressed animal can include: vacant/glazed stares, flattened/droopy ears, dilated pupils and darting eyes, tucking of the belly or arching of the back, lying with feet tucked underneath and head lowered, and guarding or protecting the affected area. Animals in severe pain may be unresponsive to touch or verbal prompting, or may cry even with gentle touching in anticipation pain.
As your pet's best friend, you are likely to be the first to notice some of the subtle signs present at the onset of suffering. Keep in mind, animals are adept at hiding discomfort and some animals are more stoic than others. A multitude of modalities are available to treat and manage the hurt, each targeting specific pathways that modulate pain. With prompt attention, a diagnosis can often be determined and a successful treatment plan implemented.
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