Ouch, That Hurt! How to Crack the Code on our Pet’s Pain
by Alyssa H., Veterinary Technician and Continuing Education Coordinator
Peer Reviewed by Dr. Sapato, BLVD Vet Logan Square Medical Director
Depending on the species, our pets can be very good at hiding their pain. Showing pain puts a wild animal at risk, so if a painful or hurt animal wants to survive they need to hide signs of pain from those around them. Our pets have retained this survival instinct, making it a challenge to determine if they are painful or not. We look at changes in body language, behavior and of course, the physical exam and diagnostics, to determine if your pet may be experiencing pain. If you are seeing changes in your pet's habits or behaviors, don't hesitate to schedule an exam. Take a look below at a few of the ways you can spot pain at home:
There are two other signs of pain in cats that we don’t see in dogs:
Changes in litter box use: difficulty getting in or out of the box, or not using the box altogether
Increase in fur matting due to changes in grooming habits
Cats are notoriously stoic, meaning they hide their pain very well. With this in mind, there is a tool available to help you look for changes in body language that may point to pain. It is called the Feline Grimace Scale. Check it out for more tips on how to spot pain in your cat.
So you’ve spotted a sign of pain- what’s next?
Track the signs of pain you see in your pet. Note what times of day, what they are doing, and how often you see these signs. If it is something visible like a limp, record a video to take to your next exam.
Let us know! Schedule a veterinary exam. Our doctors will review the changes you’ve noticed, complete a physical exam and may offer diagnostic tests to find the cause of your pet’s pain.
Work with your vet to manage your pet’s condition. After determining where the pain is coming from, your veterinarian will offer different treatment options to keep your pet comfortable. Specific recommendations may vary by the type and cause of the pain. Here are some of the options offered at Boulevard:
Environmental/Lifestyle changes including ramps or stairs to reduce the need to jump onto surfaces, and rugs or nail grips for slippery floors.
Medications such as anti-inflammatories and injectable arthritis treatments like Adequan (dogs) and Solensia (cats).
Laser Therapy offered at the Logan Square, Ravenswood and River North locations.
Acupuncture/Chiropractic services offered at the Logan Square location.
Surgical Correction for conditions like hip dysplasia and knee injuries.
We hope you find these tips useful and that they help keep your pets happy and healthy! Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. We’re always here for you and your pets.
Sincerely,
The BLVD Team