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Animal Pain Awareness

by Kamie Roth September 15, 2020

Animal Pain Awareness

Animals experience pain just like humans do but sadly they do not have the same ability to communicate their pain or ask for help. Pain comes in many different forms including surgical pain, arthritis, or even cancer related pain. Chronic pain can be more subtle and can be mistaken for “getting old” or “slowing down”.

Our pets are much better at functioning while in pain than we are and often do not show they are in pain until it is at a much greater level. This makes our jobs as their caregivers much more difficult! It is important to stay aware of any and all behavioral or physical changes that could be masking any number of health concerns.

It is important to be aware of what our pets are feeling so we can help keep them healthy and happy!

Some common signs of pain in animals are:

Decreased social interaction
Anxious expression
Submissive/guarding behavior
Whimpering
Howling or growling in dogs
Decreased appetite
Changes in posture or gait
Reduced activity
Quiet/loss of curiosity
Changes in urinary/defecation habits
Lack of agility
Excessive licking/grooming/chewing

Horses can show obvious signs of pain, such as vigorous rolling and kicking of the belly can be an indication of Colic, but other signs of pain may be more subtle such as:

Lameness or abnormal gait
Unusual posture
Shifting weight from one leg to another
Muscle tremors
Abnormal sweating
Lying down more than usual
Mood or temperament changes
Decreased appetite
Abnormal reaction to grooming, saddle or bit and bridle
Changes in feeding behavior
Grinding teeth and/or excessive drooling
Weight loss
Squinting or closed eyes
Biting or staring at a particular body region

If your animal is showing any of these signs or is acting outside of their typical behavior you should contact your trusted veterinarian and make an appointment ASAP!

Pain Management

Depending on the cause of your animal’s pain your vet should be able to give you the right course of action to help treat and manage their pain going forward. This can include using anything from non-invasive cold laser therapy, prescription pain relievers, supplements, physical therapy, or even acupuncture.

Do not give your pet over-the-counter NSAIDS or other pain relievers without consulting your veterinarian first! Some have a very narrow margin of safety, while others are not safe to give at all.

Fire/Smoke Safety

As irritating as smoke can be to people, it can cause health problems for animals as well. If you can see or feel the effects of smoke yourself, you also should take precautions to keep your animals safe!

Always have an evacuation plan that includes your animals!

Tips to protect pets

Keep pets indoors as much as possible, and keep your windows shut.
Let dogs outside only for brief bathroom breaks.
Avoid intense outdoor exercise during periods of poor air quality. Exercise pets when dust and smoke have settled.

Tips to protect livestock

Limit exercise when smoke is visible.
Provide plenty of fresh water near feeding areas.
Limit dust exposure by feeding low-dust/dust-free feeds and sprinkling or misting the livestock holding area.
Plan to give livestock 4 to 6 weeks to recuperate after the air quality returns to normal. Attempting to handle, move, or transport livestock may delay healing and compromise your animals’ performance.
Have a livestock evacuation plan ready in advance. If you don't have enough trailers to quickly transport all of your animals, contact neighbors, local haulers, farmers, producers, or other transportation providers to establish a network of reliable resources that can provide transportation in the event you need to evacuate your animals.

If any of your animals are experiencing any of these signs, please consult your veterinarian.

Coughing/gagging
Difficulty breathing, including open mouth breathing and increased noise when breathing
Eye irritation and excessive watering
Inflammation of throat or mouth
Nasal discharge
Asthma-like symptoms
Increased breathing rate
Fatigue or weakness
Disorientation or stumbling
Reduced appetite and/or thirst

Keep in mind how the smoke affects us and always remember that our four-legged friends cannot always tell us when they are uncomfortable or in pain.

Majesty’s Recommendations!

Once you have talked with your local vet and decided on the proper course of action for your pet, the next challenge you have to face is finding a way to give them their new pills or medication.

PILLEASE is a great treat for any horse!

The soft, pliable texture makes it easy to add any pill or medication without your horse being any the wiser. They also contain lecithin, pectin, and coconut oil which are all known to aide in overall gut health.

And your horse will love the daily treat!

HEMPABLES PCR+

A full spectrum cannabinoid supplement wafer

Phytocannabinoids are recognized for helping horses with general anxiety, separation anxiety, discomfort, loss of appetite, seizures and more. At Majesty’s we use phytocannabinoid rich (PCR) full spectrum hemp plus we have added Omega 3 and Biotin. Biotin is an essential amino acid that greatly aides in the absorption of beneficial fatty acids which can be found in the Hemp Extract and Flax, which is the source of Omega 3.

• Supports healthy joint function and inflammation associated with arthritis.
• Gastric Support
• Support healthy nervous system function
• Promotes healthy cardiovascular function
• Aides in a healthy skin, coat and immune system

Never give anything to your four-legged friends without first talking with your veterinarian!