Recognizing and managing pain in our residents - Andrea White, Supervisor Animal Care
/It is hardwired into most animals to hide pain. Pain, or any sign of weakness or reduced capacity, can attract predators or affect an animal’s rank in their herd. That is why it is so important for us, as caregivers, to understand the signs of pain and what is “normal” behaviour for any individual. We get to know our residents as individuals through daily observations as well as regular health checks. Any person who interacts with the residents from volunteers to caregivers are always on the look out for something “off” about a resident so that we can begin to address, and hopefully, resolve, the issue.
It is important to note that animals do not usually express their pain as we might. Their expressions might be more subtle and can typically be seen through changes in behaviour. Sign can include changes in movement, social behaviour, appetite, and appearance. Once pain is identified, and the source is determined either through observation, or more intensive investigation and a visit to the vet, our next step is to treat the cause of the pain, and the pain itself. Our hope is always to be able to reduce or eliminate the pain altogether, but for some chronic conditions, like arthritis, pain management is our best option.
What does pain look like for…
Goats and sheep: hiding, change of usual behaviour, immobility, lethargy, being away from their flock/herd, grinding teeth, abnormal feces, a bloated abdomen, pale gums, difficulty urinating, unable to stand, having an internal temperature outside of the normal range, laboured breathing, dropping cud
Pigs: limping, head tilt, lethargy, pale gums, weakness, change in appetite, not eating, abnormal feces, laboured breathing, nasal discharge, hunching
Chickens, turkeys, ducks: avoiding their flock, lameness, poor egg quality, drooping wings, swelling, pale comb/wattles, lack of appetite, open-mouth breathing, abnormal feces, unusual posture, discharge from the eyes
Cows, horses: laboured breathing, foam around mouth, sitting unusually, limping, inability to stand, swollen jaw, grinding teeth, hiding, weakness, swollen udder, avoiding herd, stamping feet, bellowing
Rabbits: difficulty eating, lack of appetite, vocalizing, signs of incoordination, weakness, limping, shaking head, nasal discharge, unusual feces, pale skin, internal temperature outside of normal range
Knowing the common signs is only the beginning. It is important to know the resident as an individual to know whether a particular behaviour is a sign of pain or just business as usual. For example, being away from the flock is not a sign of distress for Richard, as this is his individual preference. However, if we see Gregory avoiding his flock, to whom he is the leader, this would alert us that something is wrong.
Knowing the common signs is only the beginning. It is important to know the resident as an individual to know whether a particular behaviour is a sign of pain or just business as usual. For example, being away from the flock is not a sign of distress for Richard, as this is his individual preference. However, if we see Gregory avoiding his flock, to whom he is the leader, this would alert us that something is wrong.
Understanding and recognizing pain takes a lot of practice, observation, and getting to know our residents on an individual level. Our biggest tool when it comes to treating illness is prevention and knowing the early warning signs is crucial.
