How to spot pain in pets

 

Nobody wants to discover their pet has been in pain for some time without the symptoms being spotted. But indications of pain aren’t always that obvious...

 

People can tell us when and where they themselves are in pain, but pets cannot talk. Sometimes they can make their feelings very obvious, particularly when something hurts, but on other occasions the signs that an animal is in pain are much more subtle.

 

Signs to look out for include:

 

Discomfort - it’s pretty obvious that an animal will react to having something painful probed or moved, and it’s one of the main ways in which veterinarians are able to detect whether the patient is experiencing pain. Of course, some animals are much more stoical than others, and at the other end of the spectrum, some will scream at even the slightest discomfort.

Reduced function - pain will usually interfere with the normal functioning of the part of the body that is affected. For instance, lameness is usually a sign of pain in the affected limb, although in some instances it can result from a mechanical interference with the range of movement rather than pain.

Vocalisation - we often associate whimpering or howling with pain, although there are other reasons why it can occur. A classic example of this is the distraught cat owner who rings their vet in a panic because it is rolling around on the floor screaming in agony, only to discover that she is a young female queen having her first season.

Depression - the opposite is also quite commonly seen, especially in cats, who often become withdrawn and simply hide away when in pain. This is a natural defence mechanism, since a cat that is unable to defend itself properly is under threat of attack from other predators.

Restlessness - sometimes an animal that is in pain will refuse to settle because it is unable to get itself in a comfortable position.

Inappetance - many animals that are in discomfort will go off their food, and a healthy appetite is an important consideration when judging the quality of life of a pet that is chronically ill.

Agression - whilst pain should not be grasped at as an excuse for aggressive behaviour, it should always be considered when there is a sudden change in attitude. We all know that we can get grumpy when we are in pain, and the same can apply to our pets. This is one reason why a thorough health examination by a veterinarian is always advised before taking a pet to a behaviourist for treatment.

 

Dealing with pain

 

The primary aim must always be to try and remove the cause of the pain, but in chronic conditions, such as arthritis, this is often not possible. Even when the cause of the pain can be remedied, it is often desirable to administer painkillers (also known as analgesics) until the treatment has had a chance to take effect.

We understand a lot more about the nature of pain and the way in which various painkillers actually work than we used to. This helps us work out how best to tackle it. The first important principle when dealing with animals is that if we are unsure whether they are in pain or not, we should give them the benefit of the doubt and administer appropriate medication. The second principle is that where possible, we should anticipate the pain and prevent it, as the drugs are more effective when used in that way. This is particularly relevant with surgical operations, and most practices now incorporate analgesics into their pre-medication regime as well as postoperatively. The third principle is that when dealing with severe pain, it is often most effective to use different types of painkiller in combination, to maximise their benefits and minimise their side effects.

Herbal painkillers have been used for thousands of years, and many of our modern painkillers are derivatives of substances from plants. For example, aspirin is the oldest of what are known as non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and was first extracted from the bark of the willow tree, and opiate painkillers such as morphine are all derived from the opium poppy. Although in both instances the active ingredients havebeen identified and are now often produced synthetically.

Although most veterinary analgesics have been derived from medicines originally derived for human use, there are very important differences in the actions of the drugs between different species. Drugs that are safe in humans can be toxic to dogs – ibuprofen (sold as Nurofen) is a prime example of that. And even the humble aspirin can be highly dangerous to cats, as well as paracetamol. One of the most common causes of poisoning in animals is the well-intentioned but misguided administration of human painkillers to them, so such products should never be given without specific veterinary advice.

There are a wide range of veterinary licensed products available under prescription from a veterinary surgeon, and used responsibly they can greatly improve the quality of life of our pets. They are often used for the short term, but when necessary, some of them can be given on a permanent basis, although in those circumstances it is important that the patient is regularly monitored for any undesirable side effects. Some of these effects may be mild or transient, but occasionally they may be more severe, such as stomach ulceration due to the irritant effects of NSAIDs. 

Following the manufacturer’s instructions carefully can minimise these problems, such as always giving NSAIDs orally with some food to help protect the stomach. Should you have any concerns about your pet or the medication that you are giving to your pet, it is always advisable to speak to your veterinary surgeon.

 

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