One of the questions I get asked most as a veterinarian is, \u201chow do I know if my dog is in pain?\u201d Much like a pediatrician who relies on non-verbal clues to indicate a patient\u2019s health status, veterinarians become acutely aware of both mental and physical pain by observing a dog\u2019s body and behavior. Common conditions include arthritis pain in senior pets, gastrointestinal pain in puppies who have ingested a toy, or the mental pain of separation anxiety in a dog who had been previously neglected. Pain is a complex topic, but we know \u201cmammals share the same nervous system, neurochemicals, perceptions, and emotions, all of which are integrated into the experience of pain\u201d, says Marc Bekoff, evolutionary biologist and author.<\/p>\n
Because when we know better, we do better, and scientists including veterinarians have developed various pain scales for animals. Using these scales to quantify pain in conjunction with a physical examination and observation, we can address pain with a combination of medications, laser therapy, massage, acupuncture, and emotional support among many modalities. Dog owners can perform a physical assessment and reference these scales to determine whether their pet is in pain and needs medical attention. On a scale of 0-5, anything above a 1 justifies more than a \u201cwait and see\u201d approach, and you should schedule a visit with your vet.<\/p>\n
Examination of your pet should include a \u201cnose to toes\u201d approach, and I recommend performing one regularly. Because pets have different levels of pain tolerance, reactions to pain, and temperaments, know your dog\u2019s baseline, or \u201cnormal\u201d.\u00a0 Do they regularly react when you touch their feet? If the answer is yes, pulling away a foot during an exam may not be a good pain indicator for your pet.<\/p>\n
Not all lumps and bumps are painful but bring any new masses to your veterinarian\u2019s attention. If you have a stethoscope, know your dog\u2019s resting heart rate. A persistent elevation may be due to discomfort. Likewise, panting or an increased respiratory rate is common among dog\u2019s in pain.<\/p>\n
Behavioral clues that your pet may be in pain include anything outside of their normal.<\/p>\n
Not all dogs will whimper, cry, or groan when they are hurting, though some, like huskies and other opinionated breeds, do. Similarly, I\u2019ve observed dogs bearing full weight on a fractured bone, only responding to direct manipulation of the area while others continue to have phantom pain or anticipatory stress walking on a completely healed leg.<\/p>\n
Excessive biting or grooming of a painful area is another sign your dog may need medical attention. More subtle clues can be physically distancing them from others, lack of interest in their surroundings, signs of aggressive behavior, or a \u201cworried\u201d facial expression with droopy ears, arched brows, and darting eye movements. A hunched posture, tense body position, or a \u201cpraying\u201d pose with the rear in the air and front legs extended are often seen in dogs with belly discomfort.<\/p>\n
Know that you are not alone when supporting your best friend. Asking neighbors who might not see your dog everyday for their opinion on your dog\u2019s body condition or movements. Sometimes, we normalize our own pet\u2019s condition because we are constantly interacting! Your veterinarian can also provide with resources to identify and address painful conditions. Because pain can become a vicious cycle if not treated, be your dog\u2019s best advocate and speak for them when they can\u2019t.<\/p>\n
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1 https:\/\/www.nationalgeographic.com\/news\/2016\/12\/animals-science-medical-pain\/<\/a><\/p>\n