September is Animal Pain Awareness Month, an event created by the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management to promote pet wellness. Whether acute or chronic, symptoms of pain in dogs and cats often go unnoticed by their owners. To help your furry friends live well, owners should schedule regular veterinarian appointments, as a professional can diagnose and assess key issues before they exacerbate. The following guide will provide the information you need to know.

Symptoms of Pain in Pets

Animals like dogs and cats evolved to disguise symptoms of pain, potentially to appear less vulnerable to predators in the wild. As a result, animals with conditions, ranging from arthritis to cancer, might appear perfectly normal and healthy to their owners. In honor of Animal Pain Awareness Month, pet owners should understand that even if your pet is in pain, you might have no idea.

While symptoms like reduced activity and decreased appetite might signal a problem with your furry friend, only a veterinarian possesses the skills and training to diagnose pain and associated conditions. A veterinarian has the training to know what subtle signs and symptoms to look for in pets and can also perform blood work, X-rays, and other tests that might be necessary to make a diagnosis.

Importance of Pain Management  

Pets age much more rapidly than humans, which means they possess an increased risk of various health conditions much earlier. Cats enter their senior years around ages 9 or 10, while dogs tend to enter old age even sooner. Just like humans, older pets possess an increased risk of chronic pain later in life. With regular checkups, your veterinarian can provide preventive treatments to combat issues before their onset, as well as provide pain management solutions to help pets live more comfortably.

To help your pet remain healthy and happy, visit a trusted veterinarian for Animal Pain Awareness Month. The animal-loving experts at Covedale Pet Hospital in Cincinnati, OH, have provided pets the individualized support they deserve for over 25 years. To learn more about their pet care services, visit their website. If you would like to schedule an appointment, call the veterinary clinic today at (513) 251-4666.