By Dr. Laura Hady
The sense of touch in pets starts with the sensory nerves in their skin, the tissue under the skin, their paws, nose and whiskers, which detect changes in airflow. All allow pets to feel textures, temperature, pain and pressure with the message then being sent to the spinal cord and brain for processing. While pets may have a less specific sense of touch than humans, it is by far the most comforting of all the senses for pets. Touch can signal bonding emotions and healing, but it can also cause pain, especially when animals have a flawed adaptation for pain due to an injury. This article examines the relationships among trauma, touch and pain in pets, as well as what veterinarians use to help lessen and prevent pain.
- Pain is a protective mechanism that warns a creature to stop what it is doing and take notice. Pain is sensed by special receptors (nociceptors) and is transmitted quickly to the spinal cord where it is translated and sent to the brain. Allodynia is an exaggerated response to a normally harmless touch like petting or wearing a collar. Think about having a stubbed toe and the idea of something as light as a sock touching the area as you try to put it on. Hyperpathia is a syndrome where radiating pain is felt even after a painful stimulus is gone. Some people describe it as pins and needles, burning, itching and/or numbness. Cats with hyperesthesia often incessantly lick and attack their back. Treating animals with this condition may involve giving them an injection, using a numbing spray with lidocaine. Numbing agents block the local sodium channels and stop the electrical transmission of pain. Drugs such as gabapentin and pregabalin (generic lyrica) act by blocking calcium into nerve endings, which helps to calm overactive nerves. Keep in mind that gabapentin and pregabalin can make older pets wobbly and groggy, so a lower dose may be indicated. A physical exam and tests, such as lab work, X-rays, and possibly MRI scanning are often indicated to find the source of the pain.
- Acute inflammation results in swelling, redness, heat, and pain. The sooner that the body’s inflammatory response can be lessened, the less likely it is that the pet will experience chronic pain. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) can reduce swelling and pain, but if your pet cannot tolerate NSAIDs, your veterinary staff may recommend natural alternatives and supplements such as omega-3 fatty acids and CBD oil. Local areas of swelling such as on or near joints may also respond to brief cold therapy for the first three days. Hot spots are localized areas of inflammation and infection due to allergies. These can be extremely painful and can be treated with numbing spray, cleaning agents, and medications to stop the molecules causing itching. Steroids such as prednisone can be used to reduce inflammation.
- Chronic pain may be due to myofascial trigger points, entrapped nerves, and/or joint pain. Tight and restrictive myofascial trigger points form from the web-like connective tissue called fascia that covers the muscle. While fascia is used for structural support, myofascial pain can be trggered by repetitive use, misuse, compensation or trauma. Fascia contains 25% more nerve endings than skin and 10 times more than muscle. To alleviate pain in these areas, heat, massage, range of motion exercises and prescribed stretches are helpful. For joint pain, NSAIDs are a good first choice. Monthly Librela injections may be an option to help block pain and provide relief. Low-level laser (red light therapy) is another treatment that has been proven to help these areas. Dry needling or acupuncture may also be options for chronic pain as these treatments can help bring oxygen to the painful area and reduce tension. Chronic pain also responds to light to moderate massage, which owners can do at home. Contact your local animal physical rehabilitation specialist to teach you ways that you can help your pet.
- Spinal cord pain from a bulging or ruptured disc warrants emergency exams and therapy. Symptoms of spinal cord pain include reluctance to jump up or down, pain when the animal is lifted, difficulty urinating or defecating, dragging of toenails and feet, and/or the inability to move their legs. A thorough neurological exam, pain medication and possible X-rays and/or MRI/CT scans, and surgery may be warranted. Pets with acute spinal cord pain often do not want to be petted, even with a light touch, but are more willing to be lightly massaged. Items like orthopedic pet beds, wide steps up to human beds, and carpet runners for better floor grip on smooth surfaces are simple changes for your household that can make these pets more comfortable. Veterinary acupuncturists and physical rehabilitation professionals can guide you through the medications, supplements and therapies that may be most beneficial. Low-dose ketamine injections administered and monitored by a veterinarian or veterinary neurologists work by blocking pain receptors in the brain and spinal cord, but the pain relief can be short-lived.
While learning how and when to touch a painful pet can seem daunting, pets can still be responsive to you providing light head strokes and a soothing, friendly voice. I often take an approach of using more than one pain and physical therapy modality to help animals with pain. Please know that sometimes the best approach is to layer the therapies over a month’s time to see which of them your pet will respond to the best.
