Do Our Pets Experience Phantom Pain?

Mary Simpson
by Mary Simpson

Studies are helping us understand this neurological phenomenan and what we can do to help our pets post-surgery.

(photo credit: Michael Keatley / shutterstock.com)

The word phantom is often described as something ghost-like that appears to be there, but in fact, is not real. Hence, the term phantom pain is used to refer to a lost limb that can’t possibly retain feeling yet seems to experience pain.


This type of chronic neurological phenomenon – seemingly experienced by the limb that has been amputated versus the stump or wound left behind - is actually the result of injury to the tissue, nerves, and muscles that had previously led to the limb.


An individual’s neurological system recognizes there is trauma and continues to send distress signals to the brain. Which in turn communicates that the missing limb must, therefore, be in pain.


Clear as mud?


While it may be complex trying to understand the finer workings of the human body, research is taking place related to phantom pain in our pets. To date, they’ve been able to determine that the phenomenon is valid and unlike the pain that comes from the actual surgery – known as stump pain – phantom limb pain doesn’t subside over time but can gradually worsen.


Now, in Italy, researchers from the Departments of Veterinary Medical Sciences (University of Bologna) and the Department of Veterinary Medicine (University of Perugia) ran a pilot study to determine whether small animals also experienced any form of phantom pain following an amputation.


They worked with questionnaires completed by 107 pet parents whose dogs had required one form or another of amputation. Most dogs were adults, over half were male, about 60% were larger-sized (weighing more than 55 pounds), and 60% had received an amputation of their front leg.


What they found interesting was that approximately 82% of the dogs experienced a form of pain before amputation compared with 85% afterward. This pre-surgery pain, seemed to be a precursor for the phantom pain these same dogs would experience after the amputation. Of course, all dogs required time to regain their mobility and some (less than 5%) had challenges in this regard, post-surgery. However, it was noted that dogs who did not experience phantom pain understandably, adapted significantly better to losing a limb than those who did.


Now, while a dog’s quality of mobility is pretty easy to observe, how did the researchers know that dogs were experiencing phantom pain? Three to six months following the amputation, owners noted their pets seemed restless, tended to lick the stump repeatedly, and observed the dog’s muscles twitching in the area of the stump.


Although there isn’t a known solution or treatment for phantom pain, the goal of the study is to help recognize this type of neuropathic phenomenon when it’s happening. This can then lead to acknowledging pain is still present long after surgery and exploring different approaches related to pain management and rehabilitation. Including medications, acupuncture and massage.

Mary Simpson
Mary Simpson

Sharing space with three seriously judgy Schnoodles and 2 felines who prefers to be left alone. #LivingMyBestLife

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