Recognizing pain and discomfort in pets

By Samuel Dicker, DVM, DACVECC
Board Certified in Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care

Remember: This information does not replace consultation with and physical exam by a veterinarian. Always consult your veterinarian for advice about your specific pet. When in doubt about an emergency, call our VSEC emergency service and we can help guide you anytime, day or night: (914) 315-4600.

Pain is a common reason for presentation to the emergency and surgery services at any animal hospital. Treating pain is a top concern for pet owners and veterinarians. In order to treat pain, we must first identify it. This article discusses the common and not so common ways to recognize pain in our companion animals, and when it’s time to seek emergency care for pets.

Acute or Sudden Onset Pain

Acute pain, or pain that occurs suddenly, is typically the easiest for pet owners to recognize. An animal that sustains a strain or sprain may start limping on one limb, and may whine or cry. In pets, such as cats with urinary obstruction or a blood clot in their hind limbs, they may vocalize, prompting an emergency trip to the vet. However, many signs of pain in animals are not as obvious.

Not so Obvious Signs of Pain

Abdominal Pain

Animals with abdominal pain rarely whine or cry. While they may whimper, abdominal pain is most commonly found during a physical examination where the animal may tense their abdominal muscles, look back at their abdomen, or may vocalize if a certain area is tender. Owners may notice their pet, particularly dogs, adopt a “downward dog” or “splinting” posture, where their front limbs are on the ground, in an attempt to stretch and cope with abdominal discomfort. This may be accompanied by lack of appetite or vomiting. A pet displaying this posture repeatedly (that isn’t just stretching!) should be evaluated immediately.

 The emergency service at Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Center in Mamaroneck, NY is open 24 hours, offering round-the-clock care for injured pets.

 Joint, Neck, and Back Pain

Older animals, particularly dogs, can develop arthritis and it’s important we adjust our care needs to older pets. Arthritis is a decrease in the cartilage, or cushioning, in the joint, which can cause discomfort and inflammation. Animals with arthritic discomfort may be slow to get up from lying down, and may have an altered way they walk depending on the joint affected. They may be more reluctant to go on their typical walk, may be lagging behind on a walk, or may seem quiet. Sometimes animals have trouble settling down, particularly at night, and may sleep in a different area to try to get comfortable. This is sometimes accompanied by seemingly random panting in dogs.

Because other medical conditions can mimic these signs, assessment by a veterinarian is key. The veterinarians at VSEC are available for emergencies 24/7, and scheduled appointments can also be made with our specialists.

Neck and back pain can be acute or chronic in nature. Animals with neck pain are often reluctant to turn their heads to the side and hold their necks in a very steady posture. They may be reluctant to jump off of furniture. Pets with back pain may pant, be reluctant to walk, and typically are reluctant to go up stairs. If neck or back pain is accompanied by spinal cord issues, difficulty walking is possible. Some animals are reluctant to eat with neck and back pain, while others eat just fine.

Our history taking and physical exam are essential to ruling out other problems, and localizing the source of discomfort. Based on the type of issue we suspect, at VSEC we may recommend tick-borne disease testing, x-rays, or advanced diagnostic imaging for your pet.

Nausea

Nausea is a very unpleasant feeling that can affect quality of life, and that we take very seriously. Some animals simply do not eat when they are nauseated. Other animals may have excessive drooling or salivating, excessively lick their lips, and may experience vomiting. 

While antinausea medication can help, we want to ensure we treat the underlying cause of nausea. This requires assessment by a veterinarian and sometimes bloodwork and imaging at an animal hospital. 

Difficulty Breathing

Difficulty breathing is a distressing feeling that requires prompt treatment. Causes of difficulty breathing result in different signs of illness. Upper airway disease can result in noisy upper airway breathing, which is most common in short nosed (brachycephalic) dogs such as bulldogs, pugs, and yorkies. Disease in the lungs can cause increased respiratory rate and coughing. Fluid in the chest can cause increased effort to breathe and abdominal muscle effort. Animals with difficulty breathing often also are reluctant to lie on their sides, are more likely to lie in a “sphynx” posture, and may move their front limbs away from their chest in an effort to make it easier to breathe.

 Animals with chronic difficulty breathing can develop exercise intolerance, coughing, weakness, lethargy, and even collapse episodes.

Respiratory distress can be life-threatening and must be treated by a veterinarian immediately. Your pet should be transported in a calm manner, preferably in an air conditioned, non-humid car. At Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Center in Westchester Country, we are available 24/7 to accommodate any emergency you have with your pet.

We’re Here to Help, 24/7

If your pet is in pain or showing signs of distress, our 24/7 emergency veterinary care team is here to help. The specialists and emergency veterinarians at VSEC are equipped to evaluate, diagnose, and treat your pet. Our emergency service is available 24/7, and appointments with specialists—including oncology, dermatology, and internal medicine—may be scheduled by calling (914) 315-4600.