Animal Pain Awareness Month

Keep an eye on 'em

Your four-legged friend is probably one of your family's best friends; you know them better than anyone else! That's why it is so important not only to supervise them, but to note changes in their behavior when you do. Believe it or not, your companions do "talk" to you, in a way. And, a behavioral change can be the biggest sign (besides a limp or a yelp) that your companion is in pain, says the College of Veterinary Medicine at Washington State University.

Some of these signs could include:

• changes in eating, drinking, or sleeping habits
• heavy breathing/panting
• aggressive or antisocial behavior
• excessive grooming (especially at/near site of pain)
• being more vocal
• changes in posture or body (like swelling)

This is not an all-inclusive list, nor does any one particular sign mean that your companion actually is in pain. So, if you believe they are struggling with some type of pain, seek help from your companion's vet.

Can it wait?

What should you do if you notice any of the signs listed above (or any other change in your companion's behavior) that you believe is linked to some kind of pain? Is it time for a trip to an animal hospital, or can it wait for a standard vet visit? Of course, every companion and situation is different, but when in doubt (and concern), seek medical care as quickly as possible. It may be worth a 3am ER visit to keep your companion's issue from worsening, if you're unsure about their condition.

Some things that may warrant immediate, emergency medical care could include:

• any physical trauma (like lacerations) and/or significant bleeding
• heavy panting while resting or not active
• difficulty breathing
• vomiting more than two or three times; or continued dry-heaving
• consuming any poisonous/toxic substance
• crying out in pain
• fever, and/or extreme lethargy

This is not an exhaustive list of all issues that require immediate care. But, it is important to note the difference between extreme, emergent issues, and more minor issues like itchy skin or abnormal bowel movements.

Pain Remedies

Maybe you've "assessed" your companion, and determined they are in pain. Perhaps they even needed to see their vet, and now you need pain management solutions for your companion. There are many options to choose from, including both conventional, prescription medication and more homeopathic solutions. However, whatever remedy you and your vet decide on, you should never give your companion pain medication that is meant for humans, unless your vet explicitly prescribes it. These medications can be poisonous to our companions, and ultimately make their condition worse.