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- How well do you know
your pet? Use
these five clues from the American Animal Hospital Association
(AAHA) to help you understand your pet's body language.
-
- Clue 1Abnormal chewing
habits
- If your pet is showing abnormal
chewing habits, such as dropping its food or chewing on one side
of the mouth, it may have a dental disorder or a mouth tumor.
Additional signs may include weight loss, bad breath or excessive
face rubbing. Routine dental checkups are important to prevent
and treat dental disorders and related pain.
-
- Clue 2Drastic weight
gain or loss
- Pain directly influences your
pet's weight and eating habits. Animals carrying excess weight
have an increased chance of tearing ligaments and damaging joints.
Pets with arthritis or muscle soreness may not want to access
their food because bending over is uncomfortable. Arthritis pain
may also cause pets to gain weight while their eating habits
remain the same due to lack of exercise. Pain can also cause
animals to loose their appetites which will lead to weight loss.
-
- Clue 3Avoids affection
or handling
- Did Ms. Kitty used to be active
and energetic, but now sits quietly around the house? Avoiding
affection or handling may be a sign of a progressive disease
such as osteoarthritis or intervertebral disc disease. Although
your pet may appear to be normal before petting or handling it,
the added pressure applied to its body may expose sensitive and
painful areas. Hiding is also a sign of pain. Because the animal
is hurting, she will hide to avoid a vulnerable position (this
allows the pet to prevent painful interactions).
-
- Clue 4Decreased movement
and exercise
- Osteoarthritis or joint disease
is the most common cause of pain. Pets that limp may be reluctant
to go up or down stairs, exercise, or play. Weight and joint
injuries can also go hand-in-hand. Losing unnecessary pounds
will help overweight pets decrease pressure on sore joints and
reduce pain. Consult your veterinarian about exercises, diets
and medical therapies that can help improve your pet's health.
-
- Clue 5 "Accidents"
- Pet owners often believe that
"accidents" are a result of behavioral issues. Although
behavioral issues may cause unwanted surprises, going to the
bathroom in inappropriate places may be caused by pain. Pets
with sore joints or arthritis may not make it to a convenient
location due to painful obstacles like stairs.
-
- Urinary tract infections also
may cause a messy situation. In addition to having "accidents,"
symptoms of a urinary tract infection may include, lethargy,
fever, tender lower abdomen and difficulty urinating. Even after
the urinary tract infection is dealt with it may be necessary
to get a new litter box because the cat makes painful associations
with the old litter box.
-
- Does your dog or cat have
the following syptoms?
-
- Your Dog
Licking affected joints
Falls behind on walks
Reduction in muscle tone/bulk
Mild swelling/heat in the joints
Slight Stiffness on rising/lying down
Somewhat reluctant to climb stairs
-
- Your Cat
Lethargic-decreased appetite
Slight limping or favoring one side
Slight difficulty getting into/out of litter box
Less inclination to jump or climb
Reduced grooming
-
- The lack of verbal expression
does not mean that your pet is not experiencing pain. Minor behavioral
changes like the ones listed above can be cause for alarm. Being
aware of your pet's habits can help you and your veterinarian
assess and treat your pet's pain. Pain management is an integral
part of your pet's overall healthcare, and diagnosing and managing
pain ia a something ever pet owner should do for their animal.
-
- You want your pet to be healthy
and active for as long as possible, and Pet Bounce can help by relieving the pain, swelling
and stiffness associated with joint problems and arthritis.The
homeopathic ingredients can help keep your pet moving, and it's
a safe, natural way to lessen joint discomfort-so you can spend
more quality time together. If you are ready to put the bounce
back in your pet's step, click here to learn how Pet Bounce can get your animal back in motion!
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