When Can I Tell My Pet Is In Pain?
I often times forget that my dog is a dog and not a real person. However, are there any ways that I can actually tell if Max is in real pain and not just something within my imagination? Thanks.
Connie Palm Beach, Miami
Connie, obviously pets like humans are going to differ from species to species.
However, according to Eric Barchas, a veterinarian who lives and works in San Francisco, here are some common symptoms:
Cats instinctively hide pain. Therefore, signs of pain in cats are usually subtle. A cat in pain may:
o Hide or act quiet and withdrawn.
o Lose its appetite.
o Breathe rapidly or pant.
o Act agitated or refuse to lie down, rest, or sleep.
o Become aggressive or suffer personality changes.
o Limp, favor a painful area, or resent it when a painful area is touched.
Vocalization (howling or crying) may be a sign of anxiety, agitation, fear, hunger, or severe pain. Most cats suffering from pain do not vocalize. Lack of vocalization should not be construed as absence of pain.
Dogs' responses to pain vary. Some dogs are very stoic, and will show few outward signs even when in extreme pain. Others are more dramatic, and will make their pain quite clear. A dog in pain may:
o Whine, whimper, or vocalize. This occurs less often in cats.
o Pant.
o Limp, favor a painful area, or resent it when a painful area is touched.
o Act agitated or refuse to lie down, rest, or sleep.
o Become aggressive or suffer personality changes.
o Lose its appetite.
o Stand with its back arched.
o Hide or act quiet and withdrawn.
You can receive additional information from Dr. Barchas here.
http://www.pettrustlawblog.com/admin/trackback/177639
