Signs of Pain in Dogs and Cats

Hi! Let’s dive into Signs of Pain in cats and dogs. Head over to the Resources tab to check out some pain scales specific to dogs and cats that can be very helpful.

First things first: although it is normal for pets to sleep more and become less active as they age, pain does not have to be a “normal” part of life! Often when are pets are “slowing down” they are actually experiencing chronic pain such as from arthritis.

• One in five pets (of any age) has arthritis.
• More than half of pets over the age of 6 years have arthritis.
• 90% of pets over than 12 years have arthritis!

Signs of Pain in Dogs

Let’s look for Signs of Pain in dogs first. Dogs tend to be a bit better at signaling their discomfort than cats, although sometimes we as humans ignore their signs. Changes in activity or physical ability are the most common indicators of pain in dogs:

Changes in Activity

• Transitions
  • Difficulty in transitioning from one position to another 
    – Stand-to-sit
    – Sit-to-down
    – Down-to-sit
    – Sit-to-stand
  • Difficulty in transitioning from carpet to linoleum (or other similar surface)

• Jumping
  • Difficulty or unwillingness to jump up or down from vehicle or furniture

• Locomotion
  • Unwillingness to walk
  • Unwillingness to run
  • Unwillingness to use stairs (up or down)

• Play
  • Avoiding types of play previously enjoyed
  • Playing for shorter periods of time

Changes in Behavior

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Signs of Pain in Cats

Now for cats: some of the signs of pain in cats are the same as dogs, but cats can be very subtle. Signs of physical pain can often manifest as behavioral abnormalities. 

Changes in Behavior

• Less tolerant of being touched, held, or picked up
• No longer grooming itself
• Changes in litterbox habits
  – Difficulty using the litterbox (especially one with high sides)
  – Avoiding the litterbox altogether
• Sleeping more

Changes in Activity

• Jumping
  • Unable to jump to table or counter without assistance
  • Reluctant to jump down from surfaces

• Climbing
  • Spending more time on the ground, rather than in cat tree
  • Avoiding stairs when possible

• Play
  • Reduced amount of time spent playing
  • Avoiding certain types of play that it used to enjoy

Changes in Weight

• Gaining weight despite eating the same amount (or less)

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What next?

These lists aren’t comprehensive, but they can be helpful in realizing that some of what we think of as pets “just getting old” are actually signs of discomfort. So, what does it mean if you see these signs in YOUR pet?

Talk to a vet. Make an appointment with your primary vet or with Dr. Rushing. Bring a pain scale along that shows what changes you have noted. 

Ask questions: 

• “What might be causing these signs of pain?” 
• “Is there more we could be doing to make sure my pet is comfortable?” 
• “How can we make sure my pet has the best quality of life possible?”

Treatment recommendations can vary. They may include surgery, medications and supplements, or complementary things like acupuncture, laser therapy, and rehabilitation. 

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Treating pain

Most often, pain is best treated with a multi-modal approach. This means using multiple treatments at the same time to manage different aspects of pain. Your plan may include some combination of the following:

Surgery

• Surgery works to address pain by modifying the source of pain. If hip dysplasia has led to severe osteoarthritis of the hip, surgery can help remove the painful bone-on-bone contact. If a bulging disc is compressing the spinal cord, surgery to decompress the area can improve pain and neurologic function.

Medications

• NSAIDs – Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug
  – Ex: Rimadyl, Metacam, Onsior, Galliprant, etc
  – They work by inhibiting production of inflammatory mediators in the body. 

• Gabapentin – neuropathic pain analgesic (pain medication)
  – Gabapentin works by slowing transmission of pain signals from nerves.
  – It works best for CHRONIC pain and NEUROPATHIC pain.
  – This medication also can decrease anxiety .
  – Gabapentin plays nicely with opioids

• Opioids – morphine-like analgesic
  – Ex: Tramadol, Codeine, Buprenorphine, etc
  – Opioids are considered for the management of moderate to severe pain
  – Tramadol, although very popular, may primarily work as a sedative in dogs (this is due to their inability to activate it in their liver.)
  – Using gabapentin and opioids together can decrease opioid dose

• Amantadine – antiviral medication (that also works for chronic pain!)
  – Amantadine can be used alongside other pain medications to help address chronic pain, such as from arthritis or from cancer
  – It is used “off-label” meaning the label instructions do not describe its use in pets for pain, so it is important to follow your veterinarian’s instructions very closely

Supplements

• Fish Oil – Omega 3 Fatty Acids – EPA/DHA
  – Many brands of fatty acids on the market (such as Welactin)
  – Fatty acids work as anti-inflammatories in the body

• Glucosamine/Chondroitin
  – Many brands of glucosamine/chondroitin available (such as Dasequin)
  – Glucosamine and chondroiten help support joint and cartilage health

• Polysulfated glycosaminoglycan – PSGAG
  – The most common brand of this is called Adequan
  – Adequan is administered as an injection into the muscle or subcutaneous space
  – PSGAGs decreases inflammation and lubricates joints, while also stimulating cartilage repair

Acupuncture

• There are two main perspectives regarding acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Western Medicine or Physiologic : 
  – In TCM, acupuncture works by modifying the flow of qi (energy)
  – The physiologic perspective looks at evidence that acupuncture interacts with nerves and connective tissue to mediate the release of feel-good chemicals such as Endorphins and Serotonin.

Physical Rehabilitation

Physical rehabilitation is great for recovery from injury. It can also help with management of pain:
– Therapeutic exercise can help with reduction of weight, production of feel-good chemicals such as Endorphins, support of joint health, and mental stimulation. 
– Manual therapies such as massage can help with sore muscles and other soft tissues. 

Laser Therapy

• “Photobiomodulation” or laser therapy works on the cellular level to increase cellular energy production, reduce inflammatory mediators, and increase oxygenation. This can aid in tissue healing and reduce inflammation.

PEMF Therapy

• PEMF – Pulsed Electromagnetic Field – therapy uses a magnetic field to encourage cells to return to a more normal energy state, allowing improved cellular function and decreasing pain and inflammation.

Did these signs of pain sound like an aging pet you know? If so, let Grace Veterinary Services help you find new ways to help your pet age gracefully.

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Thanks so much for reading, I hoped you learned something helpful! Come back next week for a lesson about Arthritis in Pets.