by Jason Merrihew
To protect themselves from predators, animals naturally hide their pain. Your pet may be suffering even though he isn’t showing obvious signs. Advancements in veterinary science have decoded subtle telltale signs of animal distress. Observing your pet’s behavior is vital to managing his or her pain. How well do you know your pet? Use these five clues from the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) to help you understand your pet’s body language.
Clue 1—Abnormal chewing habits
If your pet is showing abnormal chewing habits, such as dropping its food or
chewing on one side of the mouth, it may have a dental disorder or a mouth
tumor. Additional signs may include weight loss, bad breath or excessive
face rubbing. Routine dental checkups are important to prevent and treat
dental disorders and related pain.
Clue 2—Drastic weight gain or loss
Pain directly influences your pet’s weight and eating habits. Animals
carrying excess weight have an increased chance of tearing ligaments and damaging
joints. Pets with arthritis or muscle soreness may not want to access their
food because bending over is uncomfortable. Arthritis pain may also cause pets
to gain weight while their eating habits remain the same due to lack of exercise.
Clue 3—Avoids affection or handling
Did Fluffy used to be active and energetic, but now sits quietly around the
house? Avoiding affection or handling may be a sign of a progressive disease
such as osteoarthritis or intervertebral disc disease. Although your pet
may appear to be normal before petting or handling it, the added pressure
applied to its body may expose sensitive and painful areas.
Clue 4—Decreased movement and exercise
Arthritis or degenerative joint diseases (DJD) is the most common cause of
pain. Pets that limp may be reluctant to go up or down stairs, exercise,
or play. Weight and joint injuries can also go hand-in-hand. Losing unnecessary
pounds will help overweight pets decrease pressure on sore joints and reduce
pain. Consult your veterinarian about exercises, diets and pain medications
that can help improve your pet’s health.
Clue 5— “Accidents”
Pet owners often believe that “accidents” are a result of behavioral
issues. Although behavioral issues may cause unwanted surprises, going to the
bathroom in inappropriate places may be caused by pain. Pets with sore joints
or arthritis may not make it to a convenient location due to painful obstacles
like stairs.
Urinary tract infections also may cause a messy situation. In addition to having “accidents,” symptoms of a urinary tract infection may include, lethargy, fever, tender lower abdomen and difficulty urinating.
The lack of verbal expression does not mean that your pet is not experiencing
pain. Minor behavioral change can be cause for alarm. Being aware of your pet’s
habits can help you and your veterinarian assess and treat your pet’s
pain. Diagnosing and managing pain is among the 900 standards an animal hospital
is evaluated on in order to become accredited through AAHA. For more information
or to locate an AAHA-accredited hospital, visit www.HealthyPet.com.