Pain in dogs can be caused by illness, injury, or age-related conditions. It’s crucial to pay close attention to even the slightest indication that your dog is suffering. Afterall, he or she can’t tell you what’s wrong. That’s why we’ve compiled the following guide to understanding signs and managing pain.
In Tune
Like many dog owners, you may have a special knack for communicating with your dog. Your ability to notice even the smallest shifts in behavior can lead to early intervention and diagnosis – both of which can impact your dog’s comfort and lifespan.
Even if you’re unaware that your dog is in pain, part of our wellness exam includes making sure he or she is in tip-top shape. This often means taking a comprehensive approach to pain, ruling out conditions using diagnostics and our in-house laboratory. This can eliminate the need for emergency care later on.
Another way to prevent pain is to closely examine your dog during grooming or snuggling sessions. Check the paws and abdomen for any signs of injury, heat, or swelling. Remember, dogs in pain can become defensive, so please contact us if you or your dog needs help.
Similar Tendencies
When a cat is sick or hurt, it’s likely that he or she will go into hiding. However, dogs in pain send out different signals. You may notice some of the following symptoms:
- Lethargy or lack of mobility
- Lack of appetite
- No longer self grooms
- Limping
- Excessively licking, biting, or gnawing at a certain spot
- Increased vocalization
- Growling, biting, or other aggressive behavior
- Decreased social interaction
Sudden Changes
One day your dog may seem fine and the next, his or her behavior totally reverses. Pain in dogs can be caused by any number of ailments, and these are the most common reasons your dog may be suffering:
- Cancer
- Dental problems
- Trauma
- Arthritis
- Eye or ear infections
- Bladder infections
- Kidney stones
- Pancreatitis
- Pain following a surgical procedure
Treating Pain in Dogs
To pinpoint exactly what your dog is experiencing, we may recommend blood work, digital x-rays, or an ultrasound. This will help us develop an effective pain management plan, which may include different medications. Please do not give your dog aspirin, ibuprofen, or other pain relievers intended for human consumption.
Your dog deserves to live pain-free, and our team is always working with this goal in mind. Please let us know if you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment for your dog today.