• Fever/Chill

• Rapid HR

• Elevated Temp

• Rapid Breathing

• Changes in mental status

• Shaking

Behaviour indicators

• Vomiting

• Diarrhoea

• Anorexia

• Hyperoxia

• Weight Loss

• Hiding

• Listless

• Aggression

Variations between Species

• Variations in pain behaviour between different species are considered to be linked to whether they are predator or prey species

Nursing Care

• Baseline assessment - and ongoing assessments

• Medication

• Fluids

• Bloods and/or other tests

• Xray

• Surgery

• 
  

Behaviour can vary between species, for example if they are prey or predator.

Pain normally results from stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system.

Stress and drug administration can alter physiological parameters.

Physiological Pain Indicators:

•Tachycardia

•Hypertension

•Tachypnoea

•Pyrexia

•Panting

•Salivation

•Pupillary dilation

•Shaking and shivering

•Changes in respiratory pattern – rapid, shallow breathing caused by thoracic pain.

pale gums

tachycardic

pyrexia

hyperthermia

Behavioural

Frozen/ shaking

retunded

shutdown

nervous

erratic

small furys more likely to go into cardiac arrest

Leaving alone in a dark room,

Physical Impacts:

• Immune System:

  Chronic stress can lead to immunosuppression, making animals more susceptible to infections and diseases. 

• Wound Healing:

  Stress can delay wound healing, which is a significant concern for postoperative or trauma patients. 

• Gastrointestinal Issues:

  Chronic stress can negatively affect the gastrointestinal system, potentially exacerbating existing conditions or leading to new ones. 

• Cardiovascular Issues:

  Stress can contribute to cardiovascular problems, including high blood pressure and heart disease. 

• Other Physical Problems:

  Stress can also contribute to obesity, sleep problems, and other physical health issues. 

Psychological Impacts:

• Anxiety and Fear:

  Stress can lead to increased anxiety and fear, especially in hospital settings. 

• Depression:

  Chronic stress can contribute to depression and other mental health problems. 

• Behavioral Changes:

  Stress can manifest as behavioral changes, such as aggression, self-harm, or withdrawal. 

• Hospitalization Stress:

  Hospitalization itself can be a significant source of stress for animals, leading to increased anxiety and fear. 

• Reduced Quality of Life:

  Chronic stress can significantly reduce an animal's quality of life

Behavioural indicators for stress maybe either excited or subdude. Yawning, panting, pacing, lip licking, ears pinned back, whale eyes, rapid HR, strong pulses, gums may be normal ( pink / pale pink ).

Different between species as guinea pigs may show signs of stress by loss of appetite, hair loss or bald patches, excessive chewing, freezing, tossing its head whereas dogs would display loss of appetite, backing away, tail tucked, cowering, diarrhoea, shaking, shivering, shedding, drooling, licking lips etc.

Rabbits show stress by freezing, hunched up with flat ears, excessively jumpy and bulgy eyes but cats may display signs of stress by hissing, growling, crouching, ears flat, skin twitches, swallowing, lip licking, low appetite and pacing.