Pain

It is sometimes very obvious that a dog or cat is in pain, and sometime hard to detect.  Animals that can not sit still, assume unusual postures, whimper or meow excessively, yip or screech, become reclusive or are reluctant to be touched might reasonably be assumed to be in pain.  Rabbits may grind their teeth.  Some animals drool or pant because of pain, or simply stop eating. 

Sometimes the only way to know a patient is in pain is to treat with an effective pain relieving medication and observing their response.  In situations such as chronic osteoarthritic disease of the hips, spine or other joints, the pain may wax and wane and some dogs are tremendously stoic;  when they get relief with appropriate recognition and treatment, it is often rewarding to see how active and playful they become.

Pain can be from unobserved trauma, internal organs that are diseased or swollen, damaged or infected teeth, stones that develop in kidneys or bladder, arthritis, intervertebral disc protrusion, bite wounds, fractures, oral wounds, eye injuries, glaucoma and myriad other conditions.  When pain is suspected, therapy is warranted. 

Sometimes, managing the pain is just the first step and investigation can occur later on a less urgent need.  Sometimes a thorough investigation is needed to identify the problem to allow effective treatment. 

Managing pain allows better healing, for many reasons. Effective pain management can involve a multimodal approach, including one or several different types of medication, physical therapy and measures such as ice packing. 

Good pain management can allow a healing patient to try to be too active too soon, putting them at risk of reinjury;  sedation and exercise restriction may be necessary in such cases.

Pet Poisonings: Algae | Antifreeze | Chocolate | Easter Lily, Other Lily plants, and Cats | Garbage Intoxication | Grapes and Raisins | Household and Prescription Medications | Lawn and Garden Chemicals | Mushrooms | Poinsettias | Potpourri Oils | Rodent Poisons | Varmint Poisons, Other | Xylitol toxicity