Is your senior pet in pain?

By: Michael Lamping, DVM

            Even though pets can't always tell us where they ache, they do provide cues through their behavior.  Just as an animals behavior may deteriorate as a result of pain, poor behavior may improve when a painful condition is treated.  I once witnessed an older cocker spaniel that for years was thought to be ornery and aggressive become playful and friendly once her painful ear was cured.  I've also seen a crotchety basset hound romp and chase his housemates days after I
extracted his painful abscessed teeth.

            Veterinarians draw on recent advancements in the diagnosis and treatment of animal pain.  Now we can often anticipate and prevent severe pain from occurring.  Our goal in pain management is to prevent or alleviate short term pain and reduce the intensity of chronic pain.  We seldom can eliminate all chronic pain, but we can reduce it to a level that is bearable and less stressful.  In recognition of September as Senior Pet Month and as Pain Awareness Month, I offer some tips to help identify pain in senior pets.

            The most subtle signs might suggest that an old pet is "just slowing down".  These pets display decreased activity, sleep more, hide, and no longer check to see who's ringing the doorbell.  Other pets may walk with their head low, their ears back, or with their eyes squinted.  Refusing to jump, struggling to rise or climb stairs, and limping are symptoms of joint pain.  Pets don't have to vocalize their pain experience, though some do.  Others are unexpectedly aggressive or fearful.  Individuals with facial pain may avoid contact with the head, and those with abdominal pain may only exhibit shallow breathing.  Cats may only show a loss of appetite or refuse to drink.

            In both people and pets, pain affects health and well being.  Pets share another trait with people chronic pain shortens their lifespan.  As your pet's caretaker, recognizing pain will allow you to help your pet live comfortably.