While pain in our pets sometimes alerts us to medical conditions that need attention, the majority of pain that animals experience is known as physiological pain and does not necessarily serve a diagnostic purpose. Some symptoms of pain in dogs include shaking and trembling, whining or crying, or restlessness. Cats may growl or purr, cease grooming, or remain in one spot. Either species may be irritable and aggressive, display a loss of appetite, protect an injured body part, or hide.
Pain management can be as temporary as restraining a pet during an injection to long-term medication administration after surgery or other significant trauma events. Pet owners are encouraged to be proactive participants in all aspects of pain management decisions for their pets and should feel free to discuss all potential treatment alternatives with their veterinarian or veterinary surgeon.