Pain Behaviors - What To Look Out For

As time goes by our pets settle into a routine of their own. New and somewhat odd behaviors need to be not only noticed, but for the benefit of your pet, addressed in a timely manner. Some new behaviors are harmless and developed out of preference while others are developed from pain. Take a look below at the examples the American College of Veterinary Surgery gives for possible causes of pain and signals of distress

Causes for pain may be:

• Physical trauma, such as falling down or being hit by something.
• Internal organ problems, such as intestinal upset or kidney blockage.
• Surgical procedures, such as abdominal surgery or bone surgery.
• Brain or spine problems, such as a slipped disc, pinched nerve or headache.
• Degenerative changes, such as arthritis and cartilage damage.

Our reaction to pain is seen as “pain behavior”. A child cries when he breaks his arm. A woman holds her head and squints her eyes when having a migraine headache. A man winces when he stands up on his bad knee. To an observer, these behaviors display pain in action. In the veterinary medical setting, we use these pain behaviors, common to each different species but unique in each different patient, to grade the pain experience.

Many owners are surprised to learn that their pet may be experiencing pain, since some pain behaviors are not seen in people. Common pain behaviors are:

• Crying and/or whining (dogs)
• Growling and/or purring (cats)
• Hiding (cats and dogs)
• Not grooming (cats)
• Squinting (cats)
• Glassy-eyed, vacant look (dogs)
• Hunched up body (cats and dogs)
• Restlessness and changing positions a lot (dogs)
• Not moving from one spot (cats)
• Irritable or aggressive (cats and dogs)
• No appetite (cats and dogs)
• Shaking and trembling (dogs)
• Protecting the hurting body part (cats and dogs)

For more information on pain and the management of pain, visit the American College of Veterinary Surgery. This excellent resource will lend you great information on many pet owner concerns.

www.WCVS.org
www.ACVS.org

Financial Aid

Our pets are more then just four legged animals, they are family. Below is an article provided by In Memory Of Magic , also known as IMOM, a charity whos mission statement is "Helping people help pets". This article features an option for emergency financial aid for crisis situations concerning your pets.

Financial Assistance From IMOM
http://www.imom.org/fa/index.htm

"Due to the current economic crisis and decline in donations, IMOM presently accepts applications for life threatening emergencies only. Life threatening emergencies are defined as follows:

A life threatening emergency exists when it has been confirmed in writing by a veterinarian that your pet will die or have to be humanely euthanized if care is not provided within ten days from the date of diagnosis.

You are understandably under stress and want to get through this process as quickly as possible. Everyone who volunteers for IMOM is well aware of that. We will always do our best to help you help your pet if you qualify. Unfortunately, it's not as easy as simply exchanging a few emails and IMOM sending a check to your veterinarian.

You need to take a deep breath and try to relax as much as you can. Following the steps as we have them outlined is not nearly as daunting as it looks.

There are no shortcuts. As you read through the step-by-step instructions please keep in mind that IMOM is a federally registered charity. We have to justify every penny we spend to the IRS, our donors and grantors. In order to do that we need to have complete files on each and every case.

If you follow our step-by-step instructions, making sure to send the proper documents, our financial aid committee can usually have an answer for you in less than two hours after receiving your application -- sometimes less. However, please keep in mind that sometimes we sleep or take breaks to :)

The bottom line is this -- we've been doing this since 1998 and we know what works. All of our volunteers know exactly what is needed to get your pet the care they need, if you qualify. We are here and ready to do our jobs but we are helpless if you don't do your part.

The reality

As much as IMOM would like to help everyone who comes to us, it is simply not possible. We are working with very limited funds and an overabundance of requests for help.

IMOM presently accepts applications for life threatening emergencies only. Life threatening emergencies are defined below:

• A life threatening emergency exists when it has been confirmed in writing by a veterinarian that your pet will die or have to be humanely euthanized if care is not provided within ten days from the date of diagnosis.

Click on "Financial Aid" then "Step 1" in the menu on the left side of this page to get started.

PS...

If you feel like it's just too much to read and too many documents to provide, you should know that since 1998 IMOM has help more than 1800 pets and paid out more than 1.5 million dollars to veterinarians nation wide. Our system works so that we are able to comply with the IRS and to help you help your pet."