The proper recognition and treatment of pain in animals is a challenging yet critical aspect of veterinary medicine. In addition to damaging the human-animal bond, untreated pain can have numerous detrimental physical and psychological effects. Pain delays healing, suppresses the immune system, and increases the risk of dangerous blood clot formation. Pain also inhibits normal behaviors and can bring out abnormal behaviors like selftrauma and aggression. Due to the shared nervous system anatomy and physiology between humans and animals, we can assume that animals have a similar capacity to humans to experience pain and resultant suffering. We therefore have both a moral and medical imperative as animal caregivers to reduce unmitigated pain as much as possible. Some animals are extremely stoic and do not demonstrate obvious signs of pain. For example, dogs with severe periodontal disease may continue to eat and drink, even though most humans would be immobilized by such a condition.

Cats are also notorious for masking any symptoms of weakness and pain until they are so ill that they can no longer function. Other subtle signs of pain may include a hunched posture, stiff muscles or gait, vocalizations like growling or hissing, refusal to stand up or lie down, restlessness or agitation, and increased heart rate and/or blood pressure. A number of feline and canine assessment scales have been developed to help practitioners (and owners) objectively identify and assess behavioral indicators of pain, thereby facilitating timely intervention and treatment. Historically, there have been a number of myths regarding animal pain that have influenced veterinary attitudes about administering analgesics. It was once thought that pain medication would suppress an animal’s appetite, so withholding medication would encourage eating. Postoperative or trauma-related pain was considered to be a natural form of restraint that prevented the animal from moving around excessively and potentially causing further tissue damage. We know now that such beliefs are unfounded and, in fact, harmful. Delaying treatment of pain can result in something called the “wind-up phenomenon” in which pain processing is altered due to prolonged stimulation of pain receptors in the nervous system. This can result in chronic, intractable pain and hypersensitivity even to harmless stimuli. Thankfully, the options for safe, effective analgesic drugs are ever increasing as our understanding of pain physiology improves. If you are concerned that your animal may be experiencing pain, please make an appointment with your veterinarian to discuss potential treatments. Our animals deserve our best efforts to identify and alleviate their pain, no matter whether it is acute or chronic, mild or severe. Preventing pain altogether utilizing a proactive approach to analgesia is even more ideal.