September is Animal Pain Awareness month – this is a subject that can raise a few eyebrows, even upset a few people.
We are sharing this to raise awareness. As pet professionals, we may raise concerns about an animal’s behaviour, gait, or stamina, for example, and clients will often be puzzled because their pet is still eating, drinking, or playing, so how could it possibly be in pain or need to see a vet?
Here’s the thing.. Pets often don’t show pain how we imagine and they often won’t stop doing those fundamental life activities. sign’s are so much more subtle and can often go unnoticed.
What pain may look like in your animal?
- Change in behaviour – increase in reactivity/not sleeping/anxious/suddenly doesn’t like being left
- Change in a vocalization.
- Change in Appetite.
- Change in energy levels – this can also include Hyperactivity.
- Change in posture.
- Change in coat, roughness, change in colour, change in pattern.
- Excessive Grooming or Lack of Grooming.
- Increase in Licking. (themselves, you or items)
- Moving away from Being Touched.
- Sudden inability to jump up somewhere.
- Change in Gait.
- Claw/Hoof strapping when walking.
What to do if you suspect your Pet maybe in pain?
Make a diary of the changes that you’ve noticed.
Record your pet moving.
Contact your Vet – Ensure you directly ask them to investigate those concerns
(Things like joint checks often aren’t in your standard Vaccine check-ups)
Contact a Physio (with your vet’s consent)
Pain can develop at any age. It’s important we seek advice from a medical professional and do not ignore those signs.
There is a lot of good recourses, but C.A.M is our favourite resource for canine arthritis management – https://caninearthritis.co.uk/
This blog is part of Blog Circle with Charlotte Faiths membership – https://petbusinesssupport.co.uk/ / Join Canine Marketing Support, and my blog is linked to Raewyn: https://k9andkats.co.nz/understanding-pain-in-pets/
