Bo:  This is a great topic.  Jessie is a pain in my side, and I have to tell someone.  Who will listen?  Maybe the experts at www.myjoyofliving.com in Kansas City can help me find out.  They are the best pet sitters in town and seem to boast a wealth of knowledge when it comes to pet care.

Jessie:  What about YOU?  Perhaps you are even a bigger pain to me!

Bo:  Well, I am smart enough to realize that we animals can “talk” through the various subtleties in our body language.  Pain is a universal language.  Most pet owners can tell that their pets are in pain by a visual clue such as a limp or an audible clue such as a whine or whimper from us.  But what about chronic pain or pain that we can somewhat tolerate but needs to be explored?

Jessie:  Isn’t it obvious that I can barely tolerate you?

Bo:  When we are uncomfortable, we tend to show a change in behavior or temperament.  If we are usually happy, playful, and affectionate, pain can make us irritable and perhaps even make us not want to be held or petted.

Jessie:  Speak for yourself.  I adore a good massage.

Bo:  If your dog or cat is normally on the go, if he or she is in pain, you might find them sitting alone and being unusually quiet.  If the dog or cat can reach the source of pain, such as a sore paw, he or she might begin to lick or bite at the area in an effort to make the pain go away.  As a pet owner, if you notice any changes in your pet’s behavior, be sure to contact your veterinarian right away.  Remember, our “language” is limited, so please take the time to “listen” to us.  The sooner we get rid of the pain, the more playful we can continue to be.

Jessie:  I know how to get rid of cat pain!

Bo:  Oh, really?  How?

Jessie:  Lock the kitty in the closet!

(Information provided for this blog can be found at www.vetmed.wsu.edu.)