Site Accessibility Features: Skip to page menus

Reset Website Accessibility

Site Menus Section Skip to page content

Veterinarians Gisborne | Gisborne Veterinary Clinic

Phone: 03-54282-805

Site Content: Skip to page footer

Apr 28 2021

Recognizing pain and discomfort in animals

Home » Recognizing pain and discomfort in animals

It is expected that animals experience pain even if they cannot exactly perceive or communicate it in the same way people do, but recognising pain or discomfort in animals is not as easy as you think.

Acute pain may be more easily identified than chronic, but the accurate assessment of level of pain in animals remains a subjective and challenging task as characteristics displayed by individuals can vary greatly between species and sizes of each. Acute pain can be seen immediately after trauma occurs or from a surgical procedure whereas chronic pain occurring over time may see the animal developing subtle changes over a long period e.g. arthritis.

Methods to assess individuals includes both physiologic (e.g. changes in heart rate, respiratory rate, arterial blood pressure, pupil dilation) and behavioural variables. Depending on the type of animal, some of the behavioural changes that you may recognise at home with your pet may include:

Decrease or loss of appetite

Quiet or submissive behaviour
Hiding
Vocalisation- Hissing, howling, whimpering or growling
Increased and excessive grooming, licking self, biting self, etc.
Increased aggression
Restlessness
Squinting
Hunching posture
Trouble using the litter box

[ngg src=”galleries” ids=”35″ display=”basic_thumbnail” thumbnail_crop=”0″]Assessments during a consultation includes both physical examinations and discussion with the owners to identify behavioural changes that have been observed. Your vet can then provide insight into what is happening with your pet, and discuss treatment options.

There are many options available to treat pain in animals including analgesic medications, physical rehabilitation, acupuncture and therapeutic massage.

If you notice that something is not right with your pet, without being able to say exactly what it is, book in a check -up with our vets today.

gisbornevc | News & information

Site Footer: Skip to top of page

RSS
Facebook

Site Accessibility Features: Skip to page menus

Reset Website Accessibility

Site Menus Section Skip to page content

Site Content: Skip to page footer

Recognizing pain and discomfort in animals

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Site Sidebar: Skip to end of sidebar

Share

Site Footer: Skip to top of page