Covering Everything You Need To Know About How Our Pets Hide Their Pain And The Month-Long Holiday That Raises Awareness About It
September is a very important month for both pets and pet owners everywhere. The entire month is celebrated as Animal Pain Awareness Month! This pet-themed awareness based holiday aims to educate pet owners about animal discomfort and the pain they may be hiding. This article will go over what Animal Pain Awareness Month is, how you can observe it, and what signs to look for regarding animal pain and discomfort.
The Importance Of Animal Pain Awareness
Animals experience pain just like people. However, they can often be very good at masking or hiding pain. Animal Pain Awareness Month serves as a reminder to pet owners about the severity of animal pain and how to recognize it. Just because our pets appear fine on the outside, they could be experiencing pain on the inside. Understanding animals and how they experience, express, and live with pain is invaluable to any pet owner.
The History Of The Holiday
The International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management (IVAPM) created Animal Pain Awareness Month in 2001. The IVAPM created this awareness-based holiday to inform and educate pet owners about pet health & well being. If pet owners don’t understand or know what signs of pain to look for, their pets could potentially suffer.
As a result, the focus of this holiday is centered around pet education. Animal Pain Awareness Month aims to improve animal welfare as a whole by educating pet owners about pet pain management, both chronic and acute. The more pet owners know about pet welfare, the better care they can provide for their pets.
Signs Of Animal Pain Or Distress
As previously mentioned, pets can be very good at hiding their pain. That’s why it’s important for every pet owner to look for warning signs of underlying pain or distress. According to the American Kennel Club (A.K.C.) There are several different warning signs that could indicate your pet is experiencing pain.
One of the best indicators of pain in your pets is a change in their general behavior. This includes things like, shaking, panting or crying, flattened ears, excessive licking or scratching a specific area, aggression, lameness (limping), low posture, and loss of appetite. If your pet is displaying any of these signs, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Additionally, it’s worth mentioning that some warning signs of pain can be hard to notice. More subtle warning signs of pain include things like depression, reluctance to play or interact, and increased heart rate.
Ways To Observe The Holiday
When it comes to observing Animal Pain Awareness Month, the best thing you can do is schedule out your veterinary appointments. Having annual or biannual checkups are a great way to catch an illness or underlying condition before it gets out of hand. Additionally, you can also post about Animal Pain Awareness Month on social media. By spreading the word about this amazing holiday, more people will be inclined to educate themselves regarding animal pain and discomfort.
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