Lucky Dog Blog: Pain

Curly didn't get up for breakfast today. I had to prod him out of bed and carry him outside. That is VERY unusual. Breakfast is his favourite part of the day. That reminded me that I promised everyone a little overview of pain and pets. I was going to type out a list of all of the symptoms but in my research I came across a site that says it all and more. It is the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management (IVAPM) and if they don't know animal pain, then I don't know who would.

Here are some highlights that I think are really important:

Each animal will have their own individual experience and reaction to pain;
The pet guardian is more attuned to animal behaviour changes than anyone else;
It is important that the pet guardian work with their vet to describe these changes and identify pain;
When a course of treatment has been prescribed, do not adjust it on your own if it involves medications. Some medications, if increased, could harm the animal.
Animal will hide pain. This part came from the 18 minute video that is fairly informative although a little dull with cheesy music. They set up hidden cameras (kind of a nanny cam for dogs) and noticed difference pain behaviours exhibited when the owner wasn't around versus when they came to visit. Sneaky!
And the best part - if it is a procedure or condition that would cause you pain, then you have to assume it would cause the same type of pain for the animal. This is huge, although fairly obvious. What it does is gives you a frame of reference for your pet's pain. For instance, I know what it feels like to have achy joints and I know that pain meds help relieve that. I know that it is tolerable to manage joint pain although it will limit what I want to do in a day. Achy joints do not prevent me from having breakfast (hardly anything except the flu prevents me from having breakfast).

So that said, I'm thinking my little guy has taken a turn for the worse. Maybe he is just having a bad day today - that can happen, so I will continue to monitor him. But I will also be emailing the vet (it's a nice option with my vet) to see if I can up his meds or get something stronger. I know he's not going to last forever. BUT I would like him to last just a little bit longer. I know when he gets bad enough I will have the power to call it. He's just not that bad yet - in my mind anyway. If Curly could talk he may have a whole other story for me. I always have in the back of my mind, my grandmother chiding me about my other dog JJ (who was 15 years old and sick but I just wouldn't admit how sick she was). This is JJ in her later years.

I told my grandmother that JJ didn't want to get out of bed one day when we went to visit. Grandma said "She can't tell you that she is in pain" meaning recognize the signs you dummy (not that grandma would ever call me a dummy) and do something about it - whatever it is. I hung on with JJ far too long.

So with that in mind, Curly will not have to suffer even though I'm not ready. I'm getting ready so hang in there buddy - just a little longer.

Check out the IVAPM website for all of the signs and treatments for pain.