Owners often ask doctors this question when taking their babies to the hospital for medical treatment, medication, injections, surgery, etc.

It is true that dogs and cats will feel pain, but dogs and cats’ ability to perceive pain is much weaker than that of humans. Maybe we think injections are very painful, but for them, it is only a slight pain.

As for many dogs and cats that scream in pain during the injection, if you look closely, you will find that they often start barking before the injection because they are nervous...

Why does it hurt?

The appearance of pain reminds us that there is something uncomfortable in the body part, urging us to rest and resolve the discomfort in order to recover. Animals, including humans, have evolved to tolerate pain in the short term to avoid predators, but most animals cannot tolerate prolonged and severe pain. However, prolonged pain and excessively severe pain will not only prolong recovery time, but also increase morbidity and post-operative mortality.

How do you know if your furry baby is in pain?

If a furry child is in pain somewhere, a careful owner will quickly notice that it is "not the same as usual". Specifically, it can be judged from a combination of posture, movement, cry, and behavior.

Posture:

Painful parts to protect, abnormal posture when sitting or climbing down, trying to lie down in incorrect positions, hanging head, etc.;

Sports:

Reluctance to exercise, walking with abnormal limbs, limp, trembling and shaking head, tail drooping when walking, decreased movement, sleeping in the nest, slow to get up, etc.;

Call:

Sounds similar to screaming, crying, barking or growling;

Behavior:

Sensitive and excited, lack of appetite, not licking fur, urinating and defecation, gentle personality turning into angry, angry person turning into docile, licking wounds, etc.;

But it is also possible that after the small pain has lasted for a long time, the furry child has become accustomed to it and does not show any abnormal behavior. There was once a dog with trichiasis. The trichiasis lasted for two years without any abnormal behavior. It was not until the trichiasis caused other symptoms in the eyes that the owner discovered...

This is especially true for cats, because cats also exist as prey in the wild. Hiding the symptoms of pain is one of the cats’ survival skills in the wild, so it requires careful observation by the owner.

Not talking about my discomfort is what I do best

When is pain management needed?

Pain management is an important part of the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and trauma. Pain management is required during wound treatment and postoperative operations. At the same time, pain is also a common or main symptom of many diseases. Some pain is even a disease itself, and pain management is also required in the treatment plan of these diseases.

How is pain management done?

The use of painkillers is a common approach to pain management. There are two main types of analgesics, central nervous system analgesics and antipyretic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs.

Pain management during surgery is usually to give a certain amount of analgesics before surgery. After you wake up from anesthesia after surgery, the medicine will take effect and relieve pain.

Local anesthesia may be used when treating larger wounds. Local anesthesia can effectively relieve pain, but it can only relieve pain for a short period of time. It is usually used to relieve the most severe pain in the initial stage.

You must follow your doctor’s advice when using drugs! Human painkillers must not be taken casually!