Everything You Need to Know About Animal Pain Awareness Month
Pain in any form is not fun at all. Similarly, our furry buddies are no exception. Hence, to raise awareness about animal pain, Animal Pain Awareness Month came into existence. This particular awareness month is observed in the month of September each year. The main criteria and goal of this is to educate and inform pet parents about animal pain and discomforts. Pet parents can learn a lot about their pet’s health with regards to pain management and chronic pain through this awareness month.
Establishment of Animal Pain Awareness Month
The International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management, which was formed in the year 2001, was the one that initiated this great cause. It was not until 2015 that the Animal Pain Awareness Month was established. Now, there are many pet parents in North America alone that observe this important month for their pets.
Signs of Pain In Pets
Our beloved pets cannot describe what and how much pain they are suffering from. So, it is essential that pet parents observe their signs of discomfort and uneasiness. Moreover, pet parents also need to consider symptoms over the time.
It is easy for their pain to go unnoticed for quite a while. Unlike humans, many animals are better at getting on with their days when something hurts them. This isn’t really a good thing, though, considering it can lead up to a condition.
If your pet is showing vivid and visible pain, especially with regards to something chronic or slow to develop (like arthritis or cancer), in all likelihood, they might have been grimacing in pain for quite a while before they begin limping or cease playing. Hence, as their official caregivers, it is up to us to stay alert and keep an eye out for possible and potential problems in order to seek prompt intervention.
- Anxious expression
- Changes in posture or gait
- Changes in urinary/defection habits
- Decreased appetite
- Decreased social interaction
- Excessive chewing
- Excessive licking
- Growling or howling in dogs
- Guarding behavior
- Lack of agility
- Loss of curiosity
- Reduced activity
- Spitting or hissing in cats
- Submissive behavior
- Whimpering
Managing the Pain
Once the cause of pain has been diagnosed, it is imperative to seek the vet’s advice on how to manage or reduce the pain. There are several options available such as pain relievers, supplements, or even physical therapy. Allow the vet to make the decision as to what needs to be done to manage the pain.
Spread Awareness
It is all about raising awareness among pet parents of the world, so make sure you are doing your bit in spreading awareness with regards to animal pain. Nowadays, social media seems to be the perfect platform to reach out to millions and people. Hence, use social media to your advantage and spread the word about Animal Pain Awareness Month, far and wide.
Lastly, do not forget to take care of your pets, and keep them safe at all times. Remember, you are all they’ve got!
David joined CanadaVetCare in 2013 as a product analyst and veterinary assistant. Being a passionate pet lover and keen animal health researcher, David had always found ways and solutions to help pet parents to improve their pets’ health. He is always happy to answer pet health-related queries and recommending pet parents for the right pet product for their furry companions.