canine
Is My Dog in Pain? Robyn Lowe of PPG corporate partner Canine Arthritis Management discusses arthritis, how to identify the subtle signs of pain in dogs, and how we can help them enjoy
D
id you know that arthritis is prevalent in around 35% of our canine population? And that of this 35%, we know that around 80% of dogs over 8 years old suffer from the condition? The numbers are quite staggering. As every single dog is unique and every arthritis story is different, it’s impera tive that, as their guardians, we learn to recognize the sub tle signs of chronic pain. In doing so, it will ensure we are able to act swiftly and implement modi fications if our dogs start showing signs of arthritic change. It is also of great impor tance that we take ac A change in behavior can be an indicator that a dog is experiencing some sort of discomfort or is in pain tion from a young age to prevent injury and repetitive strain, as well as consider other factors, are changes in the brain and spinal cord that can cause pain “windup” such as obesity, that can increase the risk of arthritic development. or central sensitization, causing an exaggerated pain response. The pain Some dogs are stoic and will hide the symptoms of pain for a long outlasts the normal or usual time of healing and is associated with a dis time, while others will show very early on that they are in pain. What ease or injury. Sadly, it serves no biological purpose and has no recog we do know is that dogs all experience pain differently. By that, I mean nizable end point. Because of this, it is extremely important that we that Xrays may look horrendous on one dog, but clinically they are still manage it to the best of our ability. By doing so, we can still make our fairly mobile, whereas Xrays on another may show very mild changes – dogs’ quality of life as good as possible. yet the dog clinically is extremely painful! You may think that your dog isn’t in pain because he doesn’t limp all Subtle Signs the time, or doesn’t yelp, or show any other obvious outward signs of The take home message is that a dog suffering from chronic pain will discomfort. But this is where we need to consider the difference be not always cry, vocalize, or go completely nonweight bearing on a limb. tween acute and chronic pain: Dogs tend to tell us about chronic pain in The signs can be so subtle that we often miss them, or dismiss them as a very different way to acute pain. ‘slowing down’ or ‘old age.’ Chronic pain needs to be managed in a holistic and multimodal way. Acute Pain: Is an emergency strategy to help the dog move away from Although holism is often confused – or misused – as the use of comple a noxious stimulus, literally run away (fight or flight) in order to protect the body. Acute pain is selflimiting and is provoked by a specific disease mentary and alternative treatments, I mean it here in the true sense of the word. This means looking at your pet as a whole and assessing all or injury. It also serves as a useful biological purpose, which is, in his physical and mental requirements. These may include medication, essence to protect the individual experiencing it. preventing further injury, home adaptations, weight management (if re quired), the use of evidencebased supplements and additional thera Chronic Pain: In contrast, chronic pain may be considered a disease pies, and mental stimulation. state. It’s something that happens over time. With chronic pain there
32
BARKS from the Guild/March 2021
© Canine Arthritis Management
a better quality of life
