Pain, like the topic of fleas, is a very sore subject for many pet guardians.  Why?  No one wants to acknowledge if their beloved pet may be uncomfortable or have a parasite.  One would think it was a stigma.  However, both fleas and pain are more common than what some folks would like to admit.  That’s the reason for this article—to give tools for looking into this painful (sorry!) topic.  Just because an animal needs to have an issue addressed does not mean their guardian is not caring, competent, and attentive.  Here are some tools to help you gain some perspective on the subject of soreness.

            Pain can range from chronic low grade, dull, aching, to very sharp and sudden.  Usually we hear animals vocalize for sharp sudden pain.  However, more subtle symptoms will not necessarily garner such dramatic reactions.  Consider that wild instinct is to disguise or hide pain and weakness, so as not to be picked out by another predator or bully.  Subtle signs of pain include:

• limping
• reduced activity, lethargy, sluggishness
• reduced appetite or changes in eating patterns
• increased or decreased drinking
• restlessness
• difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much
• whining or increased vocalization
• hesitancy to jump, exercise or play
• grumpiness with others or other behavior changes
• “cloudiness” to the mentation/eyes
• purple or lavender color to the tongue, scalloped appearance to the sides of the tongue, or seeing teeth marks or veins pulsing in the tongue
• muscle spasms or tightness
• digestive upset: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation
• increased “dream activity”
• abnormal elimination/litter box habits
• reduced grooming
• tail ducking, sinking in the rear end posture
• excessive grooming or barbering of fur
• obsessive-compulsive types of behavior
• halitosis or other offensive body odors including flatulence

            Each animal is an individual, and will display unique symptoms.  The big take-home advice is to notice if significant changes have occurred in your animal friend.  These changes include feeding, drinking, elimination, exercise / activity, social, sleeping and cognitive aspects.  If changes are noticed, is there a reasonable explanation?  For example, if you change foods, digestive upset can be quite common.  As long as it does not persist, there is probably no cause for alarm.  However, if everything is the same at home and with the routine and your stress level, but your cat suddenly will not jump up or play with you, then you may want to have kitty evaluated. 

http://veterinarymedicine.dvm360.com/vetmed/Medicine/Treating-cancer-pain-in-dogs-and-cats/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/160624

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