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 Frequently Asked Questions about Pets in PainKnowledge is power when it comes to managing pets’ pain. Be sure
you know the right answers to these common concerns. How can I tell if my cat is in pain? Cats
often disguise the fact they are in pain. That may be because in the wild, cats that appear sick or injured are vulnerable
to predators.You are in the best position
to look for the subtle changes in behavior that may indicate your pet is suffering. It is important to stay alert to these
signs, because the sooner your cat’s pain is diagnosed and treated, the sooner he or she can heal and resume a normal,
happy life.When cats are in pain, they
hide or become unsociable. They might hiss, meow or act unusually aggressive.Often they lick, bite or protect a certain part of their body or lose their appetite. If they
have arthritis, they may walk stiffly or have trouble getting to their feet.They sometimes fail to groom themselves. A urinary infection may cause them to use the cat
box more than normal.Look for these
and other signs of unusual behavior. How can I tell if my dog is in pain? Dogs that are in pain act just like humans do: They
behave differently from normal. Dogs
may withdraw, become listless or overly affectionate. They may bark, whine or act unusually aggressive.Often, dogs in pain lick, bite or protect a certain part of their body.
Their appetite changes, or they soil in the house.Dogs with arthritis may walk stiffly or have trouble getting to their feet.Look for these and other signs of unusual behavior. If I sense my cat or dog is in pain, can I use
painkillers, like aspirin or Tylenol, that I have around the house? No! Always contact your veterinarian before
you give a pain medication to your pet. Common human pain medicines can be harmful and sometimes fatal to animals. For example,
aspirin can cause stomach bleeding in dogs, and Tylenol can kill cats. Would it be okay for
me to increase the dosage of the pain medicine my veterinarian prescribed if my pet isn’t getting better? Please call your
veterinarian before you change the dosage of any medicine. Some pets take longer to respond to a medication, and often the
benefits aren’t realized until the drug is no longer administered. Over time, your veterinarian may choose to increase
the dosage or try a different approach if the pain persists. How will my pet heal if we give her a painkiller?
She’ll run around like normal. Wouldn’t it be better for her to just lie in her bed and get well? Your pet will heal
better and faster if her pain is under control. If you’re concerned about her activity, you might consider confining
her in a crate, cage or small room until she gets better. I’ve never used painkillers with my pets before. Why do veterinarians
prescribe them now? Pain medications for pets are relatively new. It’s only been in the last decade we’ve
learned that pets that take painkillers heal better than those that don’t.We’ve also learned that unchecked pain can lead to chronic, long-term pain that can be
harder and more expensive to treat later. Are these pain medications safe? Medications undergo extensive testing. But, like
all drugs, they have the potential to cause side effects in a small percentage of animals. What are these side effects? Vomiting, diarrhea,
blood in stools (they appear black and tarry, as if they contain coffee grounds), change in drinking or urinating, changes
in behavior (such as depression), restlessness or appetite loss, yellowing of gums, skin or whites of eyes, changes in skin
(redness, scabs or scratching).If your
pet experiences any of these symptoms, stop medicating immediately and contact your veterinarian. Isn’t it natural for older dogs to have pain
from arthritis? Is pain medication really necessary? Old age is not a disease, but arthritis is. Fortunately
we now have medications that can alleviate much, if not all, of your dog’s discomfort, just as we do with people who
suffer from arthritis. Can changing my dog or cat's diet help relieve her pain? Yes, it can! It
is especially useful to alleviate pain from arthritis. Some very specific aspects of diet or dietary supplements can
help affect orthopedic and musculoskeletal pain. Your veterinarian can explain these to you. How will I know when it’s time to stop treating
the pain? When will I know that my cat has suffered from cancer long enough? That’s a difficult question that varies from
animal to animal and pet owner to pet owner.To help you know when the time is right, it may help to consider several quality of life factors and measure them daily
on a scale of one to ten.Quality of
life factors include such things as your pet’s hunger, hydration, hygiene, mobility, happiness and whether he’s
having more good days than bad ones. Development of this FAQ was supported by an educational grant from:
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