All creatures in the world deserve a life free from fear and pain. Of course, it’s we humans who can be very much expressive about our pain and sufferings. We tend to vent about our pain to our friends, family or closed one but have you ever thought of the animals. Yes, animals including your pet may be suffering in silent and we would rather take it that as their mood swing or odd behavior. Well, animals can also display that they’re in pain but they have their own ways to express.
And, the pain of animals isn’t always recognizable, the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management (IVAPM) declared September as Animal Pain Awareness Month. The aim is to help pet parents and pet lovers learn about their pet’s health and overall well-being. Moreover, it is about helping them to get through by pain management in order to improve their quality of life.
Before being a cure to your pet’s pain, it is crucial to understand the signs of pain that animals display.
Signs of Pain in Dogs, Cats And Other Animals
- Excessive grooming, especially on one body part
- Constant scratching or chewing on a single area, sometimes to the point of mutilation
- Sleeping longer and more often than is typical for your pet
- Hunched over and other changes in posture, also called guarding
- Trouble rising and standing up in the wake of sitting or resting
- Failure to run as quick or as frequently as typical
- Decreased appetite or refusing to eat at all
- Decreased or stopping of grooming
- Increased agitation, snapping, or snarling
- Hiding or refusing to come when called
- Being depressed, uninterested or withdrawn
- Trembling and shaking more than is typical for the weather
- Heavy panting or labored breathing
So, now when you are aware of the signs, which indicates that the animal is in pain, the next step is to keep your pet pain free. Following are the steps to keep your pet pain free.
Keep A Check on Their Behavior
Generally, sudden or unexplainable behavioral changes are the most obvious sign, which alarms that your pet may be in some sort of pain.
Pills Are Not the Only Solution
The pain your pet may be suffering from cannot always be cured or eased only by popping them the pills or other treatments. There are other avenues including laser therapy, physical therapy, weight management, and acupuncture that can be of immense help.
Take Proper Care Of Their Overall Well-Being
As a pet-parent it is your responsibility to be diligent when it comes to your pets health. Therefore, ensure to provide them with nutritional food, dental hygiene, and regular exercise in order to maintain their overall well-being.
Regular Visits to The Vet
It is always a wise to take your pet to the vet regularly in order to have an idea about their health or any changes in their health condition so that you can relive them from the pain before it advances.
The Animal Pain Awareness Month throws some light on easing animal’s pain or keeping the pain at bay. Therefore, proper pain-management executed now can help reduce the risk later as it can save the animals from serious illness. If you find any your pet displaying any odd signs then schedule an appointment with your vet now.
