Identifying pain in your dog

Given that humans share similar pain pathways with our pet companions, it's safe to say that we experience pain in the same ways. What can be painful for humans can be painful for our pets.

Unlike us, however, our pets don't have the benefit of knowing their pain could be temporary and that help is on the way. And they can't tell us in words what they are going through. That's a big reason animals need our help identifying and managing pain. But it's not always easy. Knowing whether our animals are experiencing pain is made even more complicated by their defensive instinct to hide pain, their different personalities, and different pain thresholds.

In order to help your pet, you need to recognise the changes in behaviour that could signal your dog is experiencing pain.

Understanding the differences between
acute and chronic pain

Pain can be classified according to how long it lasts and is generally categorized as either acute or chronic.

• Acute pain is short-lived, temporary discomfort that usually has an identifiable cause (such as injury or surgery), occurs suddenly, and lasts from days to weeks.
• Chronic pain begins gradually, lasts longer than 3 months, varies in intensity from mild to severe, and typically accompanies chronic or degenerative diseases.

In both cases, a dog in pain shows behavioural and appearance changes that — if you look for them — can help you recognise whether your pet is suffering and needs help.

Signs your dog may be experiencing pain

With pain from an injury or surgery, your dog may react naturally by barking, howling, or yelping. Generally, you'll be able to tell something unusual is going on with your dog. But not all pain behaviours are vocal and obvious — especially when the pain is chronic. Some signs that your dog is in pain include:

• Facial expressions — Dull eyes, staring into space, drooping head or ears, or panting
• Attentiveness to the affected area — Licking, scratching, chewing, and even looking at painful areas
• Change in activity levels — Restlessness, reluctance to move, disturbed sleep, prefers to lie somewhere quietly, or less interested in interacting with people or other animals
• Attitude — Aggressive, withdrawn, or anxious. Your normally exuberant dog may have a weak tail wag and a poor response to you
• Appetite — Reduced appetite or picky with food
• Grooming — Reduced amount of grooming or loss of coat condition

If you notice any of these changes in your dog's behaviour, contact your vet.