It can be heartbreaking for any pet parent when your dog is sick or hurt and experiencing pain. Today, our Sacramento vets talk about the signs of pain or discomfort in dogs, the different types of pain and how your pup can be treated.
How to Tell if Your Dog is in Pain
You may be wondering what the signs are if a dog is in pain. After all, dogs hide pain exceptionally well. This may have been a great tactic for protecting themselves prior to becoming domesticated animals but now, as they live their lives as pets, it can make it complicated for pet owners.
Luckily, you should be able to notice the signs of pain in your dog, even if they aren't so obvious. You will need to seek veterinary care for your pup as soon as you notice these symptoms.
How do dogs behave when they experience pain?
It will be difficult to know if your dog is in pain until it is fairly serious. Wild species must be adept at concealing signs of pain, injury and disease to avoid being perceived as weak by predators - and becoming an easy target.
It's imperative that any sign of pain or discomfort in your dog be addressed and treated by a veterinarian if necessary since early detection of illness or disease is critical to improving the chances of better outcomes for your dog's health. By addressing potential health concerns as early as possible you can help minimize the risks involved and increase the odds of your pup making a quick recovery.
What are the different types of pain in dogs?
Just like humans, our dogs can suffer from a variety of health conditions that cause acute or chronic pain, such as dental health issues or internal conditions from heart-related and immune system disorders to gastrointestinal issues. Tumors and different types of cancer can also lead to pain. Acute pain can be caused by a foreign object getting stuck in their paw, an injury while exercising, a fall, an accident or other mishaps.
A dog of any age may contract parasites and suffer subsequent disease or infection. Senior dogs may experience pain from joint or bone disorders. diabetes or other health issues.
The Signs That a Dog is in Pain
Many dog parents come to us wondering how to know if their dog is in pain. There are a few subtle and clear symptoms you can watch for. Signs your dog is in pain or discomfort may include:
- Significant decrease in appetite
- Tail tucked in or lowered
- Spending more time sleeping
- Yelping or whining
- Irritability
- Limping
- Reluctance to climb stairs or jump
- Reduced play or enjoyment of exercise
One of the easiest ways to tell that something isn't quite right is when your usually playful pup isn't moving around as much and their normally healthy appetite is non-existent. Changes in behavior can indicate suffering and should be tended to by your veterinarian, who can examine your dog and diagnose the underlying health issue or condition. One other common sign of pain in dogs is that they may become tired faster than usual. This can also lead to a sleepy dog that seems to nap all of the time.
If you notice your dog suffering from pain and showing symptoms, contact your vet so the underlying issue can be diagnosed. If your pup has been injured and the pain is accompanied by bleeding, loss of consciousness, vomiting or diarrhea, this is considered a veterinary emergency that should be treated right away. Our vets in Sacramento can also detect, diagnose and treat health conditions that cause chronic pain.
How can pain in dogs be treated?
Depending on the cause of your pet's pain and their diagnosis, we may recommend treatment options such as pain medication, wound care, various therapies or surgery. Our veterinarians perform a wide variety of elective and non-elective surgical procedures, including soft tissue surgery, orthopedic surgery, dental surgery, foreign body or mass removal and more.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.