Pets are likely to suffer from various types of pain during their lifetime. As they grow older, they are increasingly susceptible to arthritis and spondylopathies. Although cats and dogs may not always show pain symptoms obviously, professional Veterinary Nurse Jan from Nerdy Vet Nurse emphasizes that pet owners should not ignore their pets' pain, as it can lead to long-term physical and mental consequences, besides being a form of torture.
6 Symptoms to Observe if Your Pet is Suffering from Pain
Since cats and dogs cannot communicate their pain verbally, pet owners need to pay close attention to their daily behaviour to determine their health status. The following symptoms may indicate that a pet is suffering from pain:
| Poor appetite |
Limbs getting rigid, reduced mobility |
Refusing to jump around |
| Being lazy | Abnormal posture |
Avoiding physical contact with their owner |
Common Causes of Pain: Arthritis and Spondylopathies
Pets can experience pain for a variety of reasons, such as joint or muscle problems, organ diseases, or trauma. Two of the most common causes of pain are arthritis and spondylopathies. According to a study conducted in the USA, at least 20% of adult dogs suffer from osteoarthritis (OA). Another study shows that cats above the age of six are 60% likely to suffer from joint problems.
Veterinary Nurse Jan has seen many pets seeking medical attention due to pain. Common breeds in Hong Kong such as Poodle, Yorkshire Terrier, Pomeranian, Scottish Fold, Munchkin Cat, etc. are genetically predisposed to bone disorders like patellar luxation or cartilage problem, and therefore, arthritis is common in young animals. Spondylopathies are also very common, especially in Corgis and Dachshunds, as they are prone to intervertebral disk displacement.
Jan mentioned that pet owners may carry their dogs vertically like carrying a baby. However, this way of carrying pets may lead to lumbar compression, which can cause joint pain.
5 Consequences of Pain
Jan emphasizes that controlling pain is just the basic treatment for pets. No matter what kind of illness the animal has, veterinary clinics will always consider pain management as the first step, as pain not only affects their physical well-being but also has mental and emotional consequences. Here are five potential consequences of pain:
1) Affects Vital Signs
Pain can lead to an increase in heart rate, asthma, changes in blood pressure, and body temperature, all of which can affect a pet's vital signs.
2) Affects Appetite
Pain can worsen a pet's mood, causing them to eat less and, therefore, impacting their nutritional intake.
3) Slows down the Recovery
Pain can cause shaking, which can affect the effectiveness of drugs and slow down the recovery process after surgery.
4) Affects Pet’s Mood and Quality of Life
Pain can limit a pet's ability to perform many activities, which can negatively affect their mood and quality of life.
5) Affects the Relationship between Owners and Pets
Pets in pain may appear listless and may reject contact with their owners, leading to a high level of caregiver burden for owners.
In order to ensure the mental and physical health of pets, relieving their pain is essential. Jan claims that managing chronic pain caused by diseases like arthritis and spondylopathies requires ongoing treatment, and that one or two treatments are not enough to solve the problem. The veterinarian will gradually increase the intensity of treatment and the amount of painkillers prescribed, and it is the responsibility of pet owners to bring their pets back to the vet regularly. “Most owners are very responsible and will search for different pain management methods on the internet, then consult with their vet.” Jan once met an owner whose cat had been suffering from long-term pain due to arthritis and asked for euthanasia, which upset her a lot. She hopes that owners can understand that as long as they are willing to cooperate with the vet’s treatments, there will be ways to ease the pain, so do not give up easily.
Ancient Pain-Relief Treatment: Light Therapy
When searching for treatments to help pets ease their pain, many owners discover a natural method that has been used for centuries: light therapy. Starting in ancient Egypt, humans have been using solar therapy. Light therapy combines natural light and wavelengths to trigger the body's natural healing mechanisms, increasing the energy of cells and restoring their normal function. Modern scientific clinical trials have shown that light therapy can effectively reduce swelling and inflammation, as well as increase blood flow to the area being treated and speed up the recovery process of different body tissues. It is also safe and gentle, with no side effects, and does not interfere with other medical therapies.
Photizo Vetcare Light Therapy Device
Photizo is a South African brand that focuses on health care products for pets and body pain. One of its products, the Vetcare Light Therapy Device, has obtained European CE certification and is a reliable product for effectively relieving pain. This LED light therapy device harnesses the precise wavelengths of red light (633nm) and infrared light (850nm) to penetrate the interior of every cell, promoting the body's natural healing mechanisms to restore the body.
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The Photizo Vetcare Light Therapy Device has a wide range of applications, including musculoskeletal problems, skin diseases, and post-surgery recovery for pets, including joint degeneration in aging pets, musculoskeletal injuries, tendonitis, bone spurs, ligament injuries, torn and infected wounds, etc.
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The usage of the device is straightforward. With one click, the device can start a 31-second irradiation that can effectively reduce pet pain. Unlike the high-energy laser used by veterinarians, the Photizo Vetcare Light Therapy Device has different wavelengths and energy output, so owners do not have to wear goggles during operation at home. During the process, most pets do not have any special feelings, and some may experience immediate relief, while others may feel a slight itch or warmth. The device's safe and gentle characteristics are suitable for pets of all sizes.
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Pets have spent their entire lives to heal their owners, so when they are suffering, owners should also put in their best effort to relieve and reduce their pain. Vetcare Light Therapy Device can be part of the treatment plan, allowing owners to use it at home in combination with other treatments, seeking a better quality of life for their pets.
PET-A-HOOD Inclusive Membership Discount!
Infiniti Healthcare aims to “bring light therapy to every pet family”, and we have prepared the below discount for all PET-A-HOOD members:
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PET-A-HOOD members purchasing Vetcare products on Infiniti Healthcare official website can enjoy an extra 10% off with the discount code petahood10.*
>> Purchase Vetcare Light Therapy Device now
See more details: |
*Offers are subjected to terms and conditions.
Special Thanks: @songsong.sofu
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