It’s September, and that means Animal Pain Awareness Month! The International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management has dedicated the month of September to raise awareness about pain and pain management in pets. Pain isn’t fun for anyone, and our furry friends are no exception.
The International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management (IVAPM) educates and informs animal owners about their animal’s health and well-being when it comes to pain management, whether the pain is acute or chronic. Animals suffer from pain just like people and it comes in many forms from surgical pain to osteoarthritis (OA) to simply getting old.
How do you know if your pet is in pain?
There are common changes that may signal if a pet needs medical attention. Here are a few common changes to look for:
• Decreased activity or play
• Overgrooming or licking a specific area of the body
• Reluctance to jump (especially for cats)
• Difficulty standing after lying down
• Not going up or down stairs
• Decreased appetite
Many pet parents chalk up behavior changes to aging or an older pet just slowing down. In fact, by the time a pet is visibly in pain, due to a chronic condition such as cancer or arthritis, they may have been in pair for quite some time. It is important to keep an eye on pets, and seek veterinary treatment for health issues as early as possible.
Learn More:
Animal Pain Awareness. International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management. Retrieved from Internet August 12, 2021. https://ivapm.org/animal-owners/animal-pain-awareness/
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