Dogs whine or whimper and may become timid or aggressive. Cats may purr or growl and hide.
Responses vary, but certain behaviors tell when an animal is in pain.
Managing and alleviating pain is the focus of a new guidebook written by small animal specialists at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine. This kind of knowledge is the key to improving patient care in instances where acute and chronic pain syndromes are present. Considerable advances in veterinary medicine mean that owners have the opportunity to pursue treatment for a wide variety of disease conditions affecting their pets, Tranquilli said. The incorporation of pain-management strategies is central to this philosophy and helps to ease the concern of the owner. The authors drew on their experiences and research during a decade in which pain management has emerged as a key issue in veterinary medicine.