Dear Editor,
Animals suffer from pain, just like people do, and it can come in many forms: surgical pain, arthritis, cancer, and dental pain are just a few. Acute pain is obvious — for instance your dog got hit by a car or your horse has a bruised foot and is limping — and it is distressing for all. Chronic pain can be more subtle and mistaken for “getting old” or “slowing down.” Old age is not a disease, but pain certainly is, and recognizing the signs knowing some of the treatment options can help animal owners and their animals.
In small animals, it is important to recognize the subtle signs of pain, because animals cannot speak to us and rarely cry out in pain. Decreased activity, not going up or down stairs, reluctance to jump up onto surfaces (this especially applies to cats), and difficulty standing after lying down can all be signs of arthritis and joint pain. Overgrooming or licking a particular area can also be a sign of pain as can avoiding contact or hiding. Decreased appetite can signal mouth pain. If you have ever had a toothache, you can relate. In fact, pain from dental disease is one of the most common unrecognized sources of pain in our pets. The decreased appetite may be subtle, or your pet may avoid chewing its food, drop it, or chew only on one side.
Large animals and other small animals may be reluctant to eat (indicating mouth pain), isolate themselves from their pasture mates, seem “down,” or stiff and slow.
The good news is your animals do not have to suffer needlessly. There are many options available to help treat pain, including pain medications, joint supplements, laser therapy, acupuncture, physical therapy, and even therapeutic massage. A comprehensive dental evaluation by your veterinarian can identify dental disease and help you treat it.
At home, you can do many things to help your old pets. Steps or ramps (or even rearranged furniture) can help them to get to their favorite spots, heated beds, raised food and water dishes, regular brushing and trimming nails, low openings to litter boxes, and carpet runners for traction can all help.
Talk to your veterinarian if you think your pet may be in pain. There are many options to help your animals and they need not suffer. For more information on pain in pets, including a checklist to help determine if your animal is in pain, go to caregivers section on the website of the International Veterinary Association for Pain Management, ivapm.org.
M. Kathleen Shaw DVM, Vermont Veterinary Medical Association
