Decades
ago in veterinary medicine, pain was thought to be
good for an injured or sick animal. This wasn't
because veterinarians were cruel or wanted pets to
suffer; they believed that pain helped keep animals
sufficiently quiet in order to heal. Plus, it was
thought that there really wasn't any way to know
whether a pet was feeling pain or needed some
relief. Today it's just the opposite: some
veterinarians now believe they should treat for pain
until there is proof that an animal isn't hurting.
Why it's
important to manage your pet's pain
Pain management has become an important issue in
veterinary medicine, with organizations such as the
University of Tennessee College of Veterinary
Medicine Center for the Management of Animal Pain,
the Colorado State University College of Veterinary
Medicine, the Humane Society of the United States,
and the Companion Animal Pain Management Consortium
studying pain and pain management in animals.
Studies like these have shown that by helping your
pet avoid pain you may be able to speed the recovery
process, whether from surgery or injury.
Different
kinds of pain
Acute pain comes on suddenly
as a result of an injury, surgery, or an infection.
It can be extremely uncomfortable for your pet and
it may limit her mobility. The good news is that
it's usually temporary. It generally goes away when
the condition that causes it is treated.
Chronic pain
is long lasting and usually slow to develop. Some of
the more common sources of chronic pain are
age-related disorders such as arthritis, but it can
also result from illnesses such as cancer or bone
disease. This pain may be the hardest to deal with,
because it can go on for years, or for an animal's
entire lifetime. Also, because it develops slowly,
some animals may gradually learn to tolerate the
pain and live with it. This can make chronic pain
difficult to detect.
How to
know when your pet is hurting
When we have pain, we complain. However, we
generally don't hear a peep out of our pets. So how
do you know when your pet's in pain? Look for any of
the following signs. They may be your pet's way of
saying "I hurt."
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Being unusually quiet, listless, restless, or
unresponsive
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Whining, whimpering, howling, or constantly
meowing
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Biting
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Constantly licking a particular part of the body
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Acting funny and out of character, either
aggressively or submissively
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Flattening ears against the head Having trouble
sleeping or eating
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Seeking a lot more affection than usual
If you
suspect your pet might be hurting, ask your
veterinarian to help you figure out the problem and
to talk about what options are available. Be
prepared to answer questions about your pet's
behavior, activity level, and tolerance for being
handled. Your critter's mobility is also crucial.
Does Rover have a hard time getting up off his
haunches or negotiating stairs (which was never a
problem before)? Does Fluffy no longer jump up on to
the furniture or have a hard time hopping back down?
Some
critters never show signs of pain, but that doesn't
mean they aren't feeling it. In these cases, if the
injury, illness, or experience is one that sounds
painful to you, go with the assumption that it may
also hurt your pet and get to your veterinarian.
What you
can do to help
First and foremost, a complete physical exam
by your veterinarian is needed, possibly including
lab and blood tests or X rays. Veterinarians will
usually recommend physical therapy, drug treatment,
or in more serious cases, surgery. There also are
some simple things you can do at home to help keep
your pet comfortable and to monitor whether her pain
level is changing. (Check with your veterinarian
first to make sure these won't harm your pet.)
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Massaging
your pet from head to toe will help relax and
soothe him. This organized form of petting is a
great way to bond with your buddy as well as to
notice any unusual bumps, scrapes, or bruises on
the body.
-
Watch for changes in how your pet responds to
exercise. If he's acting sluggish, you may
need to reduce his activity, or it may mean that
chronic pain is developing. His ability to
exercise will depend on his health, however, so
make sure he has a thorough veterinary physical
before he starts a new exercise program.
-
Watch his diet. What you feed your little
friend will help maintain his weight,
regularity, and physical health, all of which
can affect how well he feels. Don't let your pet
overeat and don't let yourself over-treat him.
Also, with certain conditions, your pet may need
a special diet. Consult your veterinarian before
you make any dietary changes.
Treatment
choices and considerations
The standard form of treatment for pain is with
medication. There are new and varied forms of
prescriptions currently available. Aside from pill
form, many drugs come in easily administered forms
such as liquids, skin patches or gels. There are
also new analgesic (pain-reducing) products to help
treat your pet after an injurious trauma or to help
treat chronic pain. Traditionally, steroids have
been used for anti-inflammatory purposes and to
decrease pain, but they can have adverse side
effects. Although effective, steroids generally
aren't used for prolonged periods, and it is crucial
that you dispense them following your veterinarian's
instructions. Additionally, nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) are often used to
treat orthopedic-related pain with fewer side
effects.
It is
very important that you not try to medicate your pet
yourself. Certain painkillers, including
acetaminophen (found in Tylenol), or combinations of
medications can be toxic to pets in very small
doses. Do not give your pet any medication without
consulting your veterinarian.
In
addition to pharmaceutical treatment, complementary
(or alternative) options are becoming more
available. Acupuncture, homeopathy, holistic
medicine, and even aromatherapy are being practiced
on animals. Your veterinarian can help you decide
whether complementary medicine would be helpful to
your pet.
Whether
your choice is complementary or traditional medical
practices, your treatment decision should take into
account the side effects and the amount of time
necessary for each treatment option. Your
veterinarian will be able to tell you about the
costs, benefits, and risks of the various treatment
options. The best treatment you'll find is the one
that's personalized to the needs of you and your
pet.
After
surgery
Pain management becomes particularly important after
surgeries. When recovering from invasive procedures,
animals may be not only in pain, but also weak and
disoriented. When you're finally able to bring home
that precious pet of yours after a procedure, the
best thing you can do is follow your veterinarian's
instructions carefully and consistently. If your
veterinarian prescribes an analgesic for your pet,
give it to him as directed. If any problems should
develop, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Have a
cushy, warm bed ready and waiting to help your
friend rest, stay quiet, and feel safe and secure at
home. Keep Spot or Fluffy from picking at his
stitches (often a special collar will be recommended
to prevent this from happening). Be attentive and
loving. The comfort of your attention and affection
may be just what the doctor ordered.
As with
any medical condition, your veterinarian is your
best ally in identifying and managing your pet's
pain. Pain management requires a team effort, but
the end result can be a happier and healthier
companion. (Back to Top)
Tips For Moving and Traveling With Your Pet
Moving
or traveling with a pet usually involves more than
putting the animal in a car and driving off,
especially if you're moving or traveling far away.
The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA)
offers these tips to help you prepare for a move and
make it go a little smoother.
Remember that your veterinarian is a good source of
information. Before you move, ask your veterinarian
to recommend another doctor in your new area. You
also can call the American Animal Hospital
Association at 800/883-6301 or E-mail AAHA for the
names and phone numbers of AAHA veterinarians near
you.
Check
out the new facility before an emergency strikes.
Make sure itmeets your expectations in the areas of
cleanliness, caring and well-trained staff,
reasonable fees, and convenient hours.
Have
your current veterinarian's phone number handy in
case of an emergency or if your new veterinarian
needs more information about your pet.
Travel
with a copy of your pet's medical records,
especially if the animal has a difficult medical
history.
"If
there is any medical problem, the pet may need to be
examined before travel," says Dr. Walt Ingwersen,
AAHA veterinarian in Whitby, Ontario. " Some
countries require a full exam and health
certificate, and the United States and Canada
require a valid rabies certificate. Discuss this
with your veterinarian. "
If your
pet is on medication, be sure to have plenty for the
trip --and then some. Dr. Ingwersen points out that
veterinarians cannot write a prescription without a
prior doctor/patient relationship. This means that
in order to get any drugs, your pet will need to be
examined first by its new doctor. This may be
inconvenient if you need medication right away. You
may ask your current veterinarian for a prescription
before you move.
If your
pet is on a special therapeutic diet, purchase an
extra supply in case you can't find the food right
away in your new area.
Carry a
first aid kit for your pet. While first aid is no
substitute for veterinary care, knowing basic first
aid could save your pet's life. See a complete first
aid kit checklist.
If your
move involves driving, book ahead hotels that accept
animals."Vacationing with Your Pet" by Eileen Barish
is a directory ofpet-friendly lodging throughout the
United States and Canada. Order a copy by calling
(800)496-2665.
Thinking of using a boarding kennel? Get
recommendations from your veterinarian and make sure
your pet's vaccines are up-to-date. You also can
call the American Boarding Kennels Association at
719/591-1113 for the names of kennels in your area.
If
traveling by plane, call the airline in advance to
check out regulations and services and to make
reservations. Some airlines will allow pets in the
cabin, but you will need to purchase a special
airline crate that fits under the seat in front of
you.
Some
pets travel better while tranquilized. Discuss this
with your veterinarian. Your veterinarian may
suggest giving your pet a tranquilizer three to four
weeks before your trip to check the dosage and
adjust it if necessary.
Learn
more about your new area. Your veterinarian can tell
you if there are any diseases like heartworm or Lyme
disease and vaccinations or medications your pet may
require. Also, be aware of any unique laws. Some
places have restrictions on exotic animals (ferrets
are not allowed in some cities),and there are
restrictive breed laws in others, such as no pit
bulls allowed. Your pet could be affected by these
laws, so call ahead to the city or travel
information bureau for more information.
If
you'll be traveling between countries, it's
important to carry a rabies vaccine certificate.
Expect your pet to be quarantined in certain
locations. Hawaii has a 120-day quarantine period,
and the United Kingdom has a six-month quarantine
period. Call the Agriculture Department or embassy
of the country or state to where you are traveling
for information on special documents, quarantine,
and additional costs to bring the animal into the
country.
"Canada
has an automatic veterinary inspection for $35 at
the border for pets entering from countries other
than the United States," says Dr. Ingwersen. "New
Zealand has mandatory microchip implanting and a $10
scan fee at the border." Make sure you have the
right kind of currency and enough of it to pay any
fees or your pet will be boarded.
To
avoid losing your pet during a move, make sure your
pet is wearing an ID tag. To be doubly protected,
consider having your pet tattooed or having a
microchip implanted. "The more methods of
identification,the better chance that the owner will
be found," says Dr. Ingwersen. Microchip databases
are specific to the United States and Canada, so
register your pet in both if moving between these
countries. Dr. Ingwersen also suggests owners
register the name and phone number of a relative who
can identify the pet in case the owner can't be
reached while traveling.
What
you don't need in the middle of a move is one more
thing to worry about. "People get into a panic if
they don't have enough medication for their pet, no
appropriate documentation for travel to other
countries,or money to pay for border fees," says Dr.
Ingwersen. "Be prepared by bringing a copy of your
pet's medical records, proper documentation and
medication, and knowing the laws going into the new
city or country." (Back to Top)
