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August 04, 2010
Pet Safety in the Heat
Julaine Hunter
Now that summer the summer heat has settled in to stay, both pets and owners need to stay prepared and safe.
Even though animals are eager to play outside in warmer climates, the sunny weather can be dangerous for both cats and dogs.
Pets need sunscreen. Just like humans, your cat or dog can get extremely sunburned, especially if your pet has light colored hair. Animal sunburns can cause the same problems as those of humans: peeling, redness and even cancer. Skin cancer in pets is much more prevalent than one would assume, so purchasing pet-friendly sunscreen can go a long way in protecting the health of your pet when the heat kicks in. Places that are easy to forget, but prone to burning are: inside the nostrils, tip of nose, around your dog’s lips and the inside of ears for dogs with stand-up ears.
Never leave your pet in the car. It may seem like a car trip will cool off your pet, but it will probably do more harm than good if you leave your pet in the car for even a few minutes. The temperature in your car can rise over 100 degrees in a manner of minutes, so if you are bringing the dog in the car, make sure you can take him out on any errands you run when parking the vehicle.
Pets need extra water... but don’t let them drink just anything. Just like humans, pets need a lot of water during the summer, but be careful not to leave that water out too long. The heat can breed bacteria, which can sicken your pet if you’ve left it out in the sun too long. Give your dog extra water during the spring and summer, but be careful to change the water often. If dogs are extra thirsty, pets are bound to drink something they shouldn't drink. Puddles of what looks like water may be on the ground, but these may include antifreeze or other dangerous chemicals, so keep an eye when the dog is panting and looking for something to sip on.
Don’t give your pet TOO much exercise. Don't overdo it in the heat. Keep walks to a gentle pace. If your pet is panting a lot or seems exhausted, it's time to stop. There are quick and easy ways for you and your pet to get in shape together this summer, but one of them is not overdoing it — try changing up the routine and jogging intervals with your dog, or walking up and down hills in order to exercise both yourself and your pet.
Inside is better than outside. Even if your pet is in the shade, it can get sick quickly on hot days. As much as Fido wants to go outside, it is usually smarter to keep your pet inside as much as possible. If you have to leave the dog outside on a hot day, make sure to check on him/her regularly. NEVER leave the house on a hot day with the dog outside.
Watch for heatstroke. Dogs can develop heatstroke fairly quickly. Signs of this are excessive panting, staring, anxious expression on the face, warm skin, refusal to obey commands by owner, vomiting, collapse and rapid heartbeat. If you suspect that your pet is suffering from this, lower the animal's body temperature by applying towels soaked in cool water to the hairless areas of the body. Often the pet will respond after just a few minutes of cooling, only to falter again with his temperature soaring back up or falling to well below what is normal. Take the dog to the vet immediately — don’t try to solve this yourself.
Throw away uneaten food. Although you may leave wet cat food out or dog food during the day in winter months, summer months and warm weather lead to increased bacteria growth, so if your pet doesn’t eat it immediately, bring the food inside to the cool house, where it can be kept for longer.
SPECIAL TIPS FOR CATS
Watch out for hairballs. Despite the fact that spring is the main shedding season for cats, indoor cats also shed a lot in hot weather, so be wary of this during the summer months. It is much easier for your cat to ingest more hair and spit up hairballs frequently when it is hot outside. Frequently brushing your cat helps alleviate the chance of this, or even buying a “hairball prevention product” which will lower the chance of this happening and making your cat sick.
Keep the cat wet if it is an outdoor pet. If you have an outdoor cat, it is likely that it will remain outside most of the time during the spring and summer months. Frequently give it a bath or spray it with a squirt bottle to keep it from overheating, or even pet your cat with a wet glove or towel to cool it down. This is especially important if your cat is elderly or obese.
Protect outdoor cats against fleas and ticks more than ever. Although fleas and ticks are problems throughout the year, they are especially bad during the summer months. Ensure you use a good quality flea control product on your outdoor cat and treat the environment that it stays in as well. Make sure that you check your outdoor cat for ticks often as they are dangerous and can result in death. Posted August 04, 2010
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July 21, 2010
Skunks
Brent Bilhartz
It’s that time of year again when black and white fuzzies are sauntering forth and making their way in the world. As anyone who has had the pleasure knows, the human nose is exquisitively sensitive to the odeur de mouffette, but you don’t have to take my word for it, go to the source, inventor/chemist Paul Krebaum. ( http://home.earthlink.net/~skunkremedy/home/sk00001.htm) You can click on his IFAQ’s page, ( http://home.earthlink.net/~skunkremedy/home/sk00003.htm) infrequently asked questions, for a detailed explanation as to why skunk smell is so stinky and how his formula actually neutralizes the oily and smelly chemical compounds called thiols. Normal bathing procedures should be used to protect the pet's eyes. Following application, the solution should be rinsed off the pet with tap water. In his own words, I have pasted a copy of the recipe and directions for application below:
The Skunk Remedy Recipe
In a plastic bucket, mix well the following ingredients:
· 1 quart of 3% Hydrogen Peroxide (Look for an expiration date on your peroxide. If you're using stuff which has been sitting around in your medicine cabinet for years, buy fresh peroxide.)
· 1/4 cup of baking soda
· 1 to 2 teaspoons liquid soap
for very large pets one quart of tepid tap water may be added to enable complete coverage.
Wash pet promptly and thoroughly, work the solution deep into the fur. Let your nose guide you, leave the solution on about 5 minutes or until the odor is gone. Some heavily oiled areas may require a "rinse and repeat" washing.
Skunks usually aim for the face, but try to keep the solution out of the eyes - it stings. If you have any cuts on your hands you might want to wear latex gloves for the same reason. After treatment, thoroughly rinse your pet with tepid tap water. Pour the spent solution down the drain with running water.
NEVER, ever, store mixed solution in a closed bottle, sprayer, etc. Pressure will build up until the container bursts. This can cause severe injury.
Essentially the formula was originally developed to rid his laboratory of odor while he was conducting research with thiols. A gentler, modified version was created specifically for a friend whose pet cat had, had an unfortunate run-in with a skunk. The freshly made formula was reported to have worked like magic, removing every trace of skunk odor from the sprayed cat. Now because of the inherent packaging difficulties associated with mixing hydrogen peroxide and baking soda, i.e. the oxygen being released during the ensuing chemical reaction causes combustible pressures when confined to a leak-proof, air tight container, Mr. Krebaum altruistically decided to not patent his formula and instead to share it free of charge as a public service.
Now for those of you who would like a less labor intensive means of eliminating skunk spray residue, LazyPaw Animal Hospitals carries an effective bottled preparation called Thiotrol Shampoo from Vet Solutions. This product has been endorsed by more than one LazyPaw celebrity patient and is shown below with Dr. Hunter’s “Katydid,” local dog-about-clinic and work-in-progress. This preparation can be bottled because it eliminates skunk odor thiols by chemically altering them in a different manner. Mr. Krebaum’s method involves oxidation which results in an effective, albeit explosive when bottled, method of neutralization. Thiotrol shampoo’s active ingredient binds/chelates the skunk spray thiols thereby rendering them odorless.
Posted July 21, 2010
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July 12, 2010
Agility Dogs
Julaine Hunter
Posted on behalf of Maureen Patin a Certified Professional Dog Trainer and a friend of LazyPaw who we invited write a “Guest Blog.”
Julaine Hunter, DVM
Is Dog Agility for You?
By Maureen Patin, CPDT
What does it take?
All breeds of dogs can enjoy agility at some level. If there’s any question of your dog’s physical capability to run and jump, you’ll want to check in with your veterinarian. The handler half of the team needs to be physically able to navigate the course, while giving their dog cues for which obstacles to perform.
Most agility classes will require that you and your dog can at least perform the five basic commands of heel, sit, down, stay and come. Your dog must also be safe and sociable around other people and dogs. If either of these areas is an issue, most training centers will offer basic or intermediate obedience classes to help you prepare.
Where do you start?
A qualified instructor will break this rather complex game into easy, attainable training steps for you and your furry partner. Group classes are ideal because you’ll likely learn just as much watching the other teams, as you do on your turns at the equipment. With so many moving parts (all of yours AND your dog’s!), it is helpful to watch each exercise performed multiple times. And, most agility classes seem to build a fun camaraderie where everyone revels in each dog’s successes.
Look for a program that is inviting to the beginner, yet has the capability to take you as far as you’d like in the sport. Most programs will get you and your dog on the equipment pretty quickly. The fun really starts when you begin stringing pieces of equipment into mini-sequences. That’s when most dogs get the idea that this is big fun. Suddenly, the dogs can hardly stand to wait their turn in line to get on the equipment! You’ll find yourself looking forward to “dog class day” all week. So, get out there, find a class and have some fun with your furry friend!
Maureen Patin, CPDT (Certified Professional Dog Trainer) is the owner of What a Great Dog! Training Center in Prosper, Texas. Find more information at http://www.whatagreatdog.com or by calling 972-347-3881. Posted July 12, 2010
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June 18, 2010
Summer Time Pampered Pets
Julaine Hunter
Pet Pampering
For some at home tips for pampering your pet that won’t break the bank, read on:
Give your pet a bath.
Many dogs will enjoy a good bath every once and a while. Typically baths should be performed once weekly at most to prevent drying of the skin by removing beneficial oils. Pets who suffer from environmental allergies can significantly benefit from a daily rub down of their bodies with a damp towel and cleaning of their paws to remove accumulated surface allergens.
Cats, unless overweight, can often manage the job on their own and can have an aversion to baths in general. For those special cats who enjoy a good scrub, using lukewarm water poured, not sprayed, on them is ideal. If your cat is adamantly opposed to this deluxe treatment, try a rub down with a damp towel every now and again.
Also, with any companion animal, it is advisable to brush out or comb the hair coat prior to bathing to get rid of loose fur and thus making your resulting shampooing and conditioning more effective. Don’t forget to rinse, rinse, rinse. Inadequately rinsed pets who have residue left on their skin tend to itch. Also, it is best to stay with hypoallergenic, unscented preparations as many pets can become irritated or show allergies to heavily perfumed skin and hair care products.
Give your pet a massage.
Too often I see pets that are overweight. One of the most common responses I get when I recommend that my patient needs to “eat less and exercise” is that the pet really likes food or loves his or her treats. I truly love milkshakes. Ask anyone. I don’t let myself have one a day, and I purposefully try not to drive by DoubleDip to spare myself the temptation. Most pets crave above all positive interactions with their family members rather than constant treats. Food rewards are great in moderation; however, what better way to enjoy spending time with your pet than giving him or her a positive, non-fattening reward? Literally, go shoot the dog (or cat).
Pet photo sessions can be a great way to document the bond we have with our companion animals and can be a wonderful family affair. With the advantage of living in the digital age, we can shoot and delete until just the perfect image is captured. While photographing your pet may only be slightly less challenging than capturing a toddler’s image on film, numerous tips on how to achieve this feat abound: http://www.petplace.com/dogs/how-to-take-great-photos-of-your-pet/page1.aspx. As evidenced by the fantastic images sent in by our clients, http://www.lazypawvet.com/gallery , I am confident anyone can get a great image with a little patience and a fast shutter speed. Go shopping.
We all do it. And while not all tastes run to JuicyCouture, http://www.juicycouture.com/shoponline/search?q=dog , most of us will bring home a special toy or treat, or two, on occasion. Variety is the spice of life. Having a selection of toys that are rotated, meaning limiting your pet to one or two toys at a time, increases interest and enjoyment in the currently available items. Weekly changes prevent boredom. Selection is a personal choice. It is always advisable to prevent access to play items that can be destroyed and ingested; such playthings should be used only during supervised sessions to prevent the development of a medical or surgical emergency. Also, size appropriateness of balls and other chewable items is a must. Handball sized balls, for example, pose a serious choking hazard for medium to large breed dogs. Never permit access to items not designed for the species you are purchasing them for, and ones that can be readily shredded or torn into consumable sized pieces are of special concern. Posted June 18, 2010
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June 10, 2010
Summer Safety Tips
Julaine Hunter
Now that summer has started, both pets and owners are ready to celebrate the season.
But even though animals are eager to play outside in warmer climates, the sunny weather can be dangerous for both cats and dogs.
Pets need sunscreen. Just like humans, your cat or dog can get extremely sunburned, especially if your pet has light colored hair. Animal sunburns can cause the same problems as those of humans: peeling, redness and even cancer. Skin cancer in pets is much more prevalent than one would assume, so purchasing pet-friendly sunscreen can go a long way in protecting the health of your pet when the heat kicks in. Places that are easy to forget, but prone to burning are: inside the nostrils, tip of nose, around your dog’s lips and the inside of ears for dogs with stand-up ears.
Never leave your pet in the car. It may seem like a car trip will cool off your pet, but it will probably do more harm than good if you leave your pet in the car for even a few minutes. The temperature in your car can rise over 100 degrees in a manner of minutes, so if you are bringing the dog in the car, make sure you can take him out on any errands you run when parking the vehicle.
Pets need extra water... but don’t let them drink just anything. Just like humans, pets need a lot of water during the summer, but be careful not to leave that water out too long. The heat can breed bacteria, which can sicken your pet if you’ve left it out in the sun too long. Give your dog extra water during the spring and summer, but be careful to change the water often. If dogs are extra thirsty, pets are bound to drink something they shouldn't drink. Puddles of what looks like water may be on the ground, but these may include antifreeze or other dangerous chemicals, so keep an eye when the dog is panting and looking for something to sip on.
Don’t give your pet TOO much exercise. Don't overdo it in the heat. Keep walks to a gentle pace. If your pet is panting a lot or seems exhausted, it's time to stop. There are quick and easy ways for you and your pet to get in shape together this summer, but one of them is not overdoing it — try changing up the routine and jogging intervals with your dog, or walking up and down hills in order to exercise both yourself and your pet.
Inside is better than outside. Even if your pet is in the shade, it can get sick quickly on hot days. As much as Fido wants to go outside, it is usually smarter to keep your pet inside as much as possible. If you have to leave the dog outside on a hot day, make sure to check on him/her regularly. NEVER leave the house on a hot day with the dog outside.
Watch for heatstroke. Dogs can develop heatstroke fairly quickly. Signs of this are excessive panting, staring, anxious expression on the face, warm skin, refusal to obey commands by owner, vomiting, collapse and rapid heartbeat. If you suspect that your pet is suffering from this, lower the animal's body temperature by applying towels soaked in cool water to the hairless areas of the body. Often the pet will respond after just a few minutes of cooling, only to falter again with his temperature soaring back up or falling to well below what is normal. Take the dog to the vet immediately — don’t try to solve this yourself.
Throw away uneaten food. Although you may leave wet cat food out or dog food during the day in winter months, summer months and warm weather lead to increased bacteria growth, so if your pet doesn’t eat it immediately, bring the food inside to the cool house, where it can be kept for longer.
SPECIAL TIPS FOR CATS
Watch out for hairballs. Despite the fact that spring is the main shedding season for cats, indoor cats also shed a lot in hot weather, so be wary of this during the summer months. It is much easier for your cat to ingest more hair and spit up hairballs frequently when it is hot outside. Frequently brushing your cat helps alleviate the chance of this, or even buying a “hairball prevention product” which will lower the chance of this happening and making your cat sick.
Keep the cat wet if it is an outdoor pet. If you have an outdoor cat, it is likely that it will remain outside most of the time during the spring and summer months. Frequently give it a bath or spray it with a squirt bottle to keep it from overheating, or even pet your cat with a wet glove or towel to cool it down. This is especially important if your cat is elderly or obese.
Protect outdoor cats against fleas and ticks more than ever. Although fleas and ticks are problems throughout the year, they are especially bad during the summer months. Ensure you use a good quality flea control product on your outdoor cat and treat the environment that it stays in as well. Make sure that you check your outdoor cat for ticks often as they are dangerous and can result in death.
Posted June 10, 2010
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June 09, 2010
Physical Exam- Twice A Year
Julaine Hunter
There’s a slogan for you, but what does it mean? Essentially it means that pets need to be seen by their veterinarian bi-annually. Think that’s excessive and costly? Actually preventative health maintenance is less costly when compared to what I like to call “fire engine medicine.” Unexpected emergencies can rack up large bills quickly, and patients with a previously undiagnosed and underlying adverse conditions can be significantly more difficult, if at times impossible, to treat with a positive outcome.
Every school child I have ever asked has been able to tell me that a single human year averages to seven dog years. Over the years our formulas for estimating dog age has become more sophisticated and factors such as body condition score, breed, weight and age can more accurately provide a comparison with human aging , http://lazypawvet.com/clientcorner/agecalc . The unfortunate reality is that cats and dogs age differently from humans. Different species naturally have different life spans. Our goal as veterinarians and good animal stewards is to ensure that our companion animals are around for as long as possible with the best possible quality of life.
Comparatively, cats and dogs age faster than people making it critical for at least senior pets to be seen twice a year. Ongoing monitoring with physical examination and minimally invasive blood work to assess multiple organ function is recommended so that early signs of manageable disease are detected and appropriate therapies devised. The value of blood work is the ability to detect abnormal trends early. This could be as simple as recognizing the development of cataracts and abnormally high blood glucose values, positive indicators of diabetes. Rapid diagnosis and response with appropriate dietary and medical therapy can often positively impact these patients before secondary and life threatening complications arise.
Ideally all pet owners should have their pet examined once a year, but twice a year is truly better. Because pets live shorter lives, a six month time span is significant. Problems not detected previously may become apparent and be mitigated by earlier appointments. Often signs of illness are subtle or unapparent, even to the most attentive of pet owners. Unfortunately the sad truth is that many pet owners only seek medical attention when a vaccination is due or their companion appears ill, consequently many pets, and disproportionately greater numbers of feline patients, often go several years between visits. Cats, the last common pet species to be domesticated, tend to hide signs of illness better than dogs and so often illness is advanced before they are brought in for examination.
However, it is not only geriatric patients who benefit from biannual exams. Case in point, I have a wonderful client who brought in his adolescent dog for preoperative blood work prior to neutering. The clinically normal appearing patient had normal physical parameters on examination; however, kidney values were drastically elevated. Surgery was cancelled and the owner contacted for permission to perform additional diagnostics. When the urinalysis gave further support to a diagnosis of impaired kidney function, the owner reported that this dog had always had a greater water intake and urine output as compared to the other similarly aged and breed of dog in the household. With early intervention in the form of dietary management, intermittent fluid therapy and phosphate binder administration, and despite severe kidney compromise, this patient’s quality of life has been maintained, and he is still actively a part of his owner’s life two years after diagnosis.
The bottom line is we cannot help pets and clients we do not see, and blood work is not only for pre-operative evaluation. Veterinary care is not inexpensive; however, human medicine has proven early diagnosis does matter, it minimizes subsequent treatment and it lessens patient suffering. Early detection and treatment of hyperthyroidism in a cat, for example, can prevent subsequent kidney damage and insufficiency which adversely affects quality of life and drastically reduces a patient life span.
For more information, please contact our knowledgeable doctors and staff at www.LazyPawVet.com or call our office at 972-712-1300. Posted June 09, 2010
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June 09, 2010
Summer Travel-- To The Beach!!
Julaine Hunter
What is more enjoyable than having a stroll with your best friend along the beach? Imagine an idyllic sunset, clear blue water turning aquamarine, as the horizon transforms into a backsplash of pink and gold with you strolling contentedly down the shoreline, your only companions—the briny ocean foam lapping at your feet and your four-footed, friend amiably padding by your side. Dogs love the beach. It is the perfect place to run, dig, sniff, swim, fetch and just generally lounge about. Unfortunately, when dogs do what dogs do, (sniff, stalk and chase local denizens) their doggie instincts can be problematic, if not downright hazardous for local wildlife. Ground nesting birds can have their egg clutches destroyed or their chicks run off or killed. Sea turtle nests are like buried treasure to keen nosed canines with a penchant to dig. Dogs instinctively chase fast moving objects … balls, frisbees, children and wildlife. Migrating shorebirds require food and rest to ensure that they reach their journey’s end. Energy expended eluding canine pursuit depletes already limited resources and may negatively impact an individual’s survival. Be a conscientious visitor and think of the natives’ safety before turning your pooch loose on the beach.
1) Burns—paw pads are particularly susceptible when sand or pavement temperatures rise. If going barefoot is uncomfortable for you, the same is likely true for your pet.
2) Drowning—fast moving water, riptides and big waves can be challenging to even the most athletic of dogs. PFD (personal floatation devices) are available but are no substitute for close monitoring.
3) Gastrointestinal upset—dogs need plenty of fresh, cool water. Salt water consumption may lead to diarrhea, vomiting and dehydration. Ingesting fish hooks, shells, bones or raw fish are significant risks.
With proper planning, a seaside vacation with your canine companion can not only be memorable but carefree as well. Posted June 09, 2010
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May 13, 2010
Final Arrangements
Brent Bilhartz
Losing a pet, whether they pass away at home or you elect humane euthanasia, is never easy. A pet is a member of the family. The term, “man’s best friend,” brings to mind unconditional love, constant companionship and acceptance. You pet can take you for a walk, listen when you need someone to talk to, lower blood pressure and heart rate, or alleviate feelings of chronic loneliness. With this capacity to love you pet, comes the necessity to grieve when that “best friend” dies. The death of a pet is, without a doubt, a traumatic experience. LazyPaw Animal Hospitals is here to help make that time a little less difficult. If you would like more information on the process of euthanasia and what to expect during the process, our staff will be happy to assist you. It is your decision whether to be present for the procedure and how you would like the remains handled. You can have your pet cremated and opt to have the ashes returned to you in a nice wooden urn that is personalized with your pet’s name and picture if you choose, or you can have the ashes buried on site at our local crematorium/pet cemetery. Toothacres Pet Cemetery has been serving the animal lovers of Texas since 1979 and is LazyPaw Animal Hospitals top choice in handling final arrangements for your furry family member. Depending on your needs, Toothacres has customizable options to ensure you get the highest quality care regardless of breed, size, type of service or budget. Toothacres offers complimentary pick up at our veterinary hospital and transport to their location for final arrangements. From there, your pet will either be buried on site, cremated and buried on site for visitation, or cremated with remains returned to LazyPaw Animal Hospitals within 1-2 business days. Posted May 13, 2010
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May 13, 2010
Commitment To Patients
Brent Bilhartz
LazyPaw Animal Hospitals recognizes its commitment to the patients in its care and their companion owners, and pledges that we shall
§ Conscientiously care for our patients and boarding clientele and be constantly vigilant in the emotional and medical care by our professional, competent, conscientious personnel who will respond immediately and inform you of any signs of inappropriate behavior, distress or emergency.
§ Provide for the security and the welfare of our patients and boarding clientele by means of proper facility design, good screening and handling procedures, and by keeping all pet areas free of potential hazards.
§ Provide individual clean, fresh water containers for all long term and day boarding patients.
§ Ensure an adequate and proper diet is provided to each pet per facility policy.
§ Provided emergency veterinary care whenever appropriate, and inform clients as soon as possible whenever such care is needed.
§ Require proper immunizations for all pets, as specified in our admission/enrollment procedures to safeguard their health and well-being.
§ Administer owner-provided, veterinary prescribed medication(s) in accordance with instructions.
§ Take appropriate measures to control parasites within the facility environment, alert owners immediately if parasites are identified, and will take steps to eliminate infestation.
§ Maintain facility temperatures within healthful limits, taking appropriate precautions to protect all pets with special temperature requirements such as the very young, the very old or those with special anatomical considerations such as brachycephalic (smush-faced) breeds.
§ Provide for the comfort of all patients by supplying adequate ventilation to minimize possible exposure to harmful bacteria or viruses, offering comfortable levels of light in all pet areas, giving individual sleeping areas for boarded pets, with raised and/or padded bedding supplied as indicated for individual patient comfort.
§ Exercise pets in a safe manner, ensuring proper usage of leash and collar/harness.
§ Honor our commitments to our customers, in advertising or direct communication, and provide accurate descriptions of the care and services we provide.
§ Provide estimates of anticipated costs prior to services being rendered.
§ Endeavor to resolve any disputes which might arise in a timely, amicable and professional manner.
If at any time you feel we have failed to honor these commitments, we respectfully request you promptly bring the matter to the attention of our veterinary practice manager by emailing info@lazypawvet.com or by phone: Office: 972-712-1300, Fax: 972-712-1305. Posted May 13, 2010
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May 13, 2010
Canine Pain Scale
Brent Bilhartz
Canine Acute Pain Scale
At LazyPaw Animal Hospitals we use a canine acute pain scale to score the level of discomfort by comparing your dog’s behavioral and psychological responses, their responses to palpation and their body tension. It is a scale that ranges 0-4 with different definitions of pain for each. If your dog has a pain score of 0 It is interested in or curious about its surroundings. Your pet will be nontender to palpation of the wound or surgery site, or to palpation elsewhere.
its signs may be happy, content and comfortable when resting.
If your dog has a pain score of 1 Your pet will seem easily distracted by surroundings. And will react to palpation of wound, surgery site or other body part by looking around, flinching or whimpering.
its signs may be content to slightly unsettled or even restless.
If your dog has a pain score of 2 Your pet may have a worried facial expression (droopy ears, arched eye brows darting eyes). It may be reluctant to respond when beckoned and not eager to interact with people or surroundings but will look around to see what is going on. Reaction to palpation would usually be flinches, whimpers, cries or guards/pulls away.
its signs may be uncomfortable looking while resting, whimper or cry and may lick or rub the wound or surgery site when unattended.
If your dog has a pain score of 3 It may also guard or protect the wound or surgery site by altering weight distribution (i.e. limping, shifting body position). Your pet may be unwilling to move all or a certain part of the body. Reactions to palpation may be subtle (shifting eyes or increased respiratory rate). Your dog may be dramatic, such as a sharp cry, growl, bite or a bite threat, and/or pulling away.
its signs may be unsettled, crying, groaning, biting or chewing the wound while unattended.
If your dog has a pain score of 4 It may me potentially unresponsive to its surroundings and difficult to distract from pain. When palpated your pet may cry at any non-painful palpation and may possibly act aggressively. its signs may be constantly groaning when unattended, may bite or chew at the wound, but is unlikely to move.
Posted May 13, 2010
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