Which of the following signs may indicate that an animal is in pain?

Vocalizing, you may notice your dog groaning or grunting when he stands up or lays down. You may hear him whining or whimpering as he tries to get comfortable. Changes in daily life activities, you may notice pacing or restlessness because your dog cannot find a comfortable place to lie down. Likewise, he may repeatedly get up and lie down in an attempt to find a comfortable position. You may notice he has less energy, or decreased endurance for previously enjoyable activities like walks and play, chasing a ball, or swimming. Once down, he may be reluctant to get back up. He may be less eager to jump up onto a bed or onto furniture. It may be more difficult for him to get into the car for a ride. You may notice trembling in his legs, particularly the rear legs. He may become reluctant to go up or down stairs. Finally, he may develop difficulty walking on slick floor surfaces. A dog who is painful may withdraw from his usual family interactions. He may become less engaged in his surroundings. You may notice decreased eating and/or drinking. Some dogs will lick obsessively at areas of the body that are painful. He may chew at the offending areas, removing hair and actually damaging the skin. A dog who is painful may pant excessively, even at rest. His facial expression may be described as a grimace, and he may seem to have a vacant stare off into space. Some painful dogs actually have a wide-eyed look. Other dogs may appear to be half asleep with partially closed eyelids. Painful dogs who have previously been very friendly and gentle may begin to act completely out of character. He may growl when people or other pets in the household approach him, and he may lash out if handled. A painful dog may stand with his front legs back under his chest in order to take some of the weight away from painful hips or rear legs. You may notice that once he sits, his rear legs splay off to the left or right, rather than being tucked underneath as is normal. When standing up he may seem to pull himself up by his front legs, rather than pushing himself up with his rear legs. He may also prefer to sit rather than to stand, and to lie down rather than to sit when stopping along the way during a walk. Any or all of these changes may indicate pain and should be brought to the attention of your veterinarian.

Behavior changes may be a clue they are experiencing discomfort. Growling, hissing, or biting in a usually calm or docile pet Calm, quiet behavior in a pet who is usually aggressive or unfriendly Unusual vocalization including howling, whining, whimpering, or yelping Excessive hiding Avoiding being touched, held, or picked up Seeking more affection than usual or exhibiting needy behavior Changes in your pet’s desire to play or reluctance to get up after a long nap may be an indication they are in pain. Trembling or excessive circling before attempting to lie down Difficulty getting up or lying down Reluctance to move, run, or play Restlessness A pet’s decreased or absent appetite may be an indication of an underlying medical problem such as gastrointestinal distress or a stomachache. Inappropriate urination in the house or increased litter box visits Changes in sleeping habits such as sleeping during times when they are usually active Decreased desire to socialize with household members Ignoring treats or meal times Dropping food from the mouth while eating Excessive grooming that leads to self-mutilation or injury is an indication they may be experiencing pain. Pets who excessively lick, bite, or scratch their skin may have a painful skin infection or an injury. Subtle changes in facial expression such as a grimace or closed-mouth smile may indicate they are nauseous or in pain. Expressions that may indicate pain include: Glazed or sleeping eyes Enlarged pupils Flattened ears Appearing to stare off into space Excessive panting when at rest

Behavioural changes in dogs may include: Decreased activity, Becoming withdrawn, Less interaction with other dogs / family members, Increased aggression towards other dogs /people, Changes in mood / overall demeanour, Changes to travelling in the car, Excessive panting, Increased thirst, Increased / decreased appetite, More clingy, Changes in sleeping patterns, Inability to get comfortable / restless, Pacing, Increased sensitivity to noise, Change in posture, Acting oddly, Licking / chewing at various parts of body, Lameness / change in gait, Difficulty getting up / lying down, Difficulty getting on / off furniture, Negative reaction to be handled or touched, Change in toileting habits, Vocalisation. Changes in behaviour are more commonly noted in cats but the following signs may indicate that you cat may be in pain: Reduced activity, Changes in play, Aggression in cats that were previously friendly towards other cats in the household or family members, Avoidance of other animals / people in the house, Change in appetite, Changes in coat condition due to reduced grooming, Resentment to being handled / groomed, Reduced / changed scratching behaviour, More sensitive to noise, Inability to settle, Attacking back legs or tail, Excessive licking / grooming of one area of the body, Changes in temperament, More clingy or more withdrawn, Inappropriate toileting, Changes in sleeping patterns, Vocalisation, Abnormal gait / lameness, Reluctance to jump / climb, Hiding.