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Saturday, November 7, 2009

Reasons a Healthy Pet Can Be in Pain Without Expressing It

You just brought home a happy and healthy pet. They look great. There are no clues that would indicate any problems. You can't tell that anything is wrong. However, take a moment to pause and consider some things that are common to most animals.

Most animals, by nature, try to conceal any pain they have in order to protect themselves against attack by other animals. Any animal whose nature is to attack will go first for another animal that appears weak or injured. So, your pet may not be as healthy as he seems. You must make it a point to carefully watch your pet's actions because this is vital to protecting their health.

Watch how your pet acts and behaves. There are numerous indicators that their health isn't what it should be. Since they are used to, and for the most part, quietly dealing with pain they will in fact make an effort to conceal or minimize the effects of any pain they feel.

Carefully observe your pet's physical characteristics. Are they losing weight for no obvious reason? Are they chewing their food more slowly, or eating less than usual? This could indicate problems with their teeth or gums. Patches of hair missing, or an obvious dulling of their coat, could be signs of internal problems. You should know how a happy, healthy pet looks and acts. Watch carefully for deviations from this norm.
http://drfry.biz/images/pets_need_dental_care_too_250x210.jpgTake your pet to the dentist. Not your family dentist, of course, but to a veterinarian who is experienced in examining and performing minor procedures to ensure long-term dental health. This type of preventive care can eliminate serious problems later, and is highly recommended. Many vets now have dental care kits including pet toothbrushes that you can use at home.

Good health is directly influenced by your weight and eating habits. Animals as well as humans carrying excess weight have an increased chance of physical illnesses and damage. Weight gain due to lack of exercise also can be a signal of arthritis pain. Joint disease is the most common cause of pain. Pets that limp may be reluctant to go up or down stairs, exercise, or play.

Shedding extra weight will help your pet reduce pain from joint disease by decreasing the pressure on the inflamed joints. There are several good lines of low-calorie pet foods that are designed to help overweight and sedentary pets lose extra pounds.

Just because your normally healthy pet doesn't express pain through their eyes or vocally doesn't mean they are not hurting. You should watch for even small differences in their normal behavior. Having a strong awareness of your pet's normal habits can assist your pet's doctor in diagnosing and treating their pain. Be safe. If you notice any differences in your pet's normal routine, call your vet and discuss or take them in for an exam as soon as possible.

By Jen Newton


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