Archive for the ‘Pets and Arthritis’ Category
Pet Pain and Massage
There is an art to pet massage. Many people swear by it and there are even classes you can take to learn how if you are interested. I know locally in our small town there is even a Equine Massage Therapist who also teaches classes on how to massage horses. But there is also a simple way you can massage your pet at home, just for relaxing and bonding between you and your pet. It is nothing more that organized petting, but can help soothe your pet and help you to observe any unusual lumps, bumps, scrapes and bruises on his/her body. Just make sure you are gentle and that you do not apply pressure over the spinal area. Start at one end of your pet and gently, softly massage the muscles and joints while you talk to your pet in a very soothing voice. You may also trying singing to your pet in a soft tone, to help them relax and understand that this massage time is a good time together. Help your pet lay quietly and enjoy this bonding time, don’t scold or raise your voice if he/she doesn’t understand what you expect of him/her at first. Gradually make this a routine thing you may do once a week or even once a day. Animals are creatures of habit and can better indentify with a task if is repeated at the same time of day. They tend to have internal clocks and may respond to something better if it is done at the same time – say in the evening before bed. Help make this a postive experience by rewarding your pet at first with a treat, so they will identify the massage with something good. As you both get better at it – you massaging, your pet holding still for it, you can make it a fun time to enjoy together. If your pet shows any sign of discomfort, discontinue the massage immediately and seek the advice of your Veterinarian.
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How Can I Help My Pet?
The single most important thing you can do for an aging or hurting pet is have your Vet do a complete physical exam. Then your Vet can recommend a a a treatment protocol that you can do together. Because our furry friends cannot tell us when something is wrong, it is very important for you as a pet owner to take note of any changes in his/her behavior. The following are ways your pet may be telling you there is something wrong:
Being unusually quiet, listless, restless or unresponsive. Whining, whimpering, howling or constantly meowing. Biting. Constantly licking or chewing a particular part of the body. Acting out of character – either agressively or submissively. Flattening ears against the head. Having trouble eating or sleeping. Seeking more affection than usual. Unable to get comfortable – changing positions constantly.
If an injury or illness sounds painful to you, you can be pretty sure it is painful for your pet. Ask your Vet about simple things you can do at home to help keep your pet comfortable and monitor whether his/her pain level is changing.
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Vets and Pain Management
Decades ago, Veterinarians believed that pain was good for a sick or injured animal. It wasn’t because they were cruel, but rather they believed that pain helped keep the animal relatively quiet so it could heal. Plus, they didn’t really know how to tell if a pet was feeling pain and needed some relief.
Today it’s just the opposite, Veterinarians believe that they should treat for pain until there is proof that that an animal is not hurting. Pain management has become a very important issued in veterinary medicine. The AAHA/AAFP Pain Management Guidelines for Dog and Cats has been recently released and these guidelines show that pain management can improve the recovery process whether from illness or surgery.
As a pet owner it is imperative that we monitor our pet’s behavior to look for signs of pain. When human’s have pain, we complain. When our pet’s have pain, they instinctively try to hide it so we generally don’t know they are in pain until it is so intense they can’t hide it anymore. If you suspect your pet is hurting, consult your Vet immediately and and discuss the available pain management options.
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Different Kinds of Pain
Our furry family members experience pain just like humans. It’s hard to imagine that pain in pets was not recognized until recently. Some ”experts” assumed that pets, infants and the elderly did not experience pain because they could not verbally express it. Hello?
Actually there is more than one kind of pain we as pet owners need to be aware of so we can properly treat it: Acute pain and Chronic pain. Acute pain comes on suddenly usually as a result of an injury, surgery or some kind of inflammation or infection. It can be extremely uncomfortable and and can limit your pet’s mobility. Generally this pain is temporary and will go away when the condition is treated. It is the easier of the 2 kinds to manage.
The second type of pain or Chronic pain is long lasting and usually slow to develop. The more common sources are age-related such as arthritis. This type of pain is the hardest to deal with because it can go on for years. Also, because of the slow onset, some animals may learn to tolerate it and make it difficult for humans to detect.
Pain management will improve your pet’s recovery from illness or surgery, it reduces stress, and it increases the sense of well being. It may also help your furry friend live a longer and more fulfulled life. When shopping for Pet Caskets, be sure to check out the large selection at TreasuredFriendMemorials.com
Should I Call the Vet?
As a pet owner, especially if you are new on job, you wonder if your pet will get better on its own or should you call for some help. You need to remember that pets feel pain just like humans do, and you and you need to be able to identify, prevent, and minimize pain in your furry friend. You play a major role in monitoring your pet to determine whether or not he/she is in pain. To help your pet live comfortably, especially during its senior stage of life, you need to work with your Veterinarian toe ensure a wellness plan that is tailored to your kind and breed of pet. Be sure to watch your pet’s behavior carefully and report anything unusual to your Vet to can help you and your pet enjoy the twilight years together with ease.
Some signs you should look for that signal there is a problem and you should call your Vet: Sustained, significant increase in water consumption and urnination. Sudden weight loss or gain. Significant decrease in appetite or failure to eat for more than 2 days. Repeated vomiting. Diarrhea lasting over 3 days. Difficulty passing a stool or urine. Change in housebreaking. Lameness lasting more than 5 days in more than one leg. Noticeable decrease in vision. Open sores or scabs on the skin that persist for more than a week. Foul mouth or odor or drooling that lasts more than 2 days. Increase in size of the abdomen. Increase time spent sleeping and inactivity. Hair loss in specific areas. Excessive panting. The inability to chew dry food. Blood in the stool or urine. Sudden collapse or weakness. A seizure or convulsion. Persistant coughing or gagging. Breathing rapidly or heavily while at rest. If you are ever uncertain about anything concerning your pet’s health, never hesitate to call a professional.
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Is Your Pet in Pain?
Animals will often hide their pain, it is a natural’s way to help protect them from predators. As a pet owner, you need to be aware of some very subtle changes in your pet’s behavior – it may the only clues you have that your pet is suffering. Some symptoms and behaviors you need to look for are: Abnormal chewing, bad breath or face rubbing. Excessive head shaking. Sudden weight change. Lack of grooming. Changes in posture. Lagging on walks. Diffuculty getting up. Lethargy or restlessness. Excessive licking, especially in joints. Reluctance to be touched.
If your pet is exhibiting any of these signs, please call your Veterinarian immediately. Symptoms caught early and conditions treated properly can make a huge difference in the quality of life your pet and you enjoy together.
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Aging Pets and Exercise
Exercise is one of the most important things you can do for your aging pet. It is yet another aspect of preventive geriatric care for your furry friend. Exercise is a great way to keep your pet healthy and active. If they are cooped up and kept lying down, their bodies and health will deteriorate much faster than those pets who keep moving.
Keeping your pet active both mentally and physically will keep them sharp both in body and mind. Pets that have arthritis also need exercise, but don’t push them and take extra precautions to make sure they are not in pain. If you are just starting an exercise regimen, be very careful to start slow and let your pet ease into it. If your pet is not in good shape physically, it may take a few weeks for him/her to build up to long walks or long play sessions outside in the yard. If your pet is very stiff the next day, or even soon after exercise, you probably need to slow down and take it easier. Be extra vigilant in watching for warning signs that your pet is quickly fatigued or sore, even if he/she is having a good time at the moment.
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Nutrition & Aging Pets
Most older pets will benefit from pet food specially formulated and designed with older bodies in mind. If you have an aging pet, it may be time to check into changing your pet’s diet to include a high quality pet food for older pets. Older pets have a different nutritional requirement than younger ones, just like growing puppies or kittens have different nutritional needs as well.
Obesity is a very common ailment in older pets due to the reduced amount of exercise and also overfeeding. This can contribute to other problems such as heart disease, and should be monitored closely. Special diets formulated with the aging pet in mind can help keep your pet’s weight under control and reduce the consumption of nutrients that are risk factors for the development of diseases as well as organ or age-related changes. If you have any questions or need some suggestions on a good brand of high-quality pet food, contact your Veterinarian fo assistance.
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The Effects of Aging in Pets
With the senior years (and sometimes well before) there comes sensory changes and a general “slowing down” in pets as well as in humans. As your pet’s major senses – sight, hearing, taste, touch and smell begin to dull, you may find that your pet has slower reponses to external stimili. The loss of these sensory perception is often slow and often undetected. It may even escape you notice. It is a progressive process and the changes can be very subtle.
The best remedy for this gradual sensory reduction is to keep your pet active. Just like in humans, keeping your pet’s mind and body fit and active will help keep their senses sharp. Age may also affect your pet mentally, and he/she may begin to forget things, and may be more susceptible to mental conditions. Your aging loved one may also begin to confront age-related cognitive and behavior changes too. These changes can be addressed in a proactive manner by regular senior health exams by your veterinarian. These symptoms can be caught and treated before they control your pet’s life.
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Pet Pain Meds – NEW?
Are Pet Pain Killers new? I couldn’t believe what I found. In the past 10 years Vets have made strides in progress and prevention and treatment of pain, but the field is relatively new.
Up until the 1970s it was believed that infants, animals and the elderly did not experience pain because they could not report it!! HELLO? What were they thinking? If we can feel pain, you can be assured they can too! The AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) has recently issued standards for pain medications to help guide veterinarians in coordinating pain care for thier patients. As a result, more pets are receiving pain meds after surgery – up to 5 days for Spays and Neuters. Lately, some are even prescribing neurological modifiers to change the way the body signals pain. Pets with arthritis are also beginning to get the help they need to enhance their golden years.
Education has been the key to get Veterinarians and the public informed and to change their perception of their pets and pain. Many people assume that old age is slowing down their pets, when in reality it is pain that is the cause. Make sure you observe your pet carefully, and if everyday routine things aren’t so routine anymore, you may want to consult a professional about pain managment.
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