Helpful Resources
Support After Loss
Pet Loss Support Hotlines
ASPCA Pet Loss 24 Hr Hotline: 877-474-3310
Cornell University Pet Loss Support Hotline: 607-253-3932
Tufts University Pet Loss Support Hotline: 508-839-7966
Utah State University Pet Loss Hotline: 435-757-4540
Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine Pet Loss Support Hotline: 540-231-8038
Washington State University Pet Loss Hotline: 1-866-266-8635 or 509-335-5704
Other Pet Loss Support Groups
Dr. Elms highly also recommends the pet loss support groups that are associated with veterinary schools. Many are accessible 24 hours/7 days a week.
Chicago Veterinary Medicine Association 630-325-1600
Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine 607-253-3932
University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine 217-244-2273 or 877-394-2273
Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine 517-432-2696
University of Tennessee (Knoxville) Veterinary Social Work 865-755-8839
Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University 508-839-7966
Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine 540-231-8038
Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine 866-266-8635
Is My Pet in Pain?
Our animals are much more stoic than we would ever imagine. Unlike us, there is no psychological component to their discomfort; they simply accommodate pain.
Additionally, our cats and dogs are by nature not only predators but also prey animals. Therefore, they have been programmed not to vocalize when in pain because it will betray their whereabouts to predators.
They do not worry if they will get better. They depend on us to pick up the clues, many of which are subtle and often confused with normal aging or other diseases.
Understanding how different animals display levels of pain is so important when we discuss end of life decisions.
Please see if your pets are exhibiting a combination of these signs as each sign taken individually can be related to other disturbances.
An arthritic dog will no longer jump onto the couch or in the car, will circle several times before laying down and have frequent posture shifts. His sleep may be disturbed by pain.
Pain generally causes loss of appetite, slower wound healing, lethargy, increased respiratory and heart rates. As pain increases, animals will isolate, have dull and unfocused eyes and become aggressive when normally docile. If pain is limited to a certain area, they will scratch or bite at it.
Extreme pain also causes panting, vomiting, and continuous hunched positions.