Can you recognize the signs of dog pain? When you go to the veterinarian for your pet´s routine check up or for his ongoing treatment, you as the pet owner are the best source of information for helping the vet figure out what is going on with your dog. Good observation and knowing what to look for are key to providing your vet with quality information that will allow him to diagnose and treat your dog properly.
Once the diagnosis is made and treatment is recommended it then becomes especially important for the vet to get your feedback on how the dog pain treatment is working. Learn to identify and recognize the common signs and behaviors of dogs in pain and distress. You have to be especially observant of your pet´s behavior before you give him his medicine and note any behavioral changes – if any – that occur after he has received his dog pain medication. With this information, your vet will be able to see which pet meds are successful in alleviating your dog´s pain, or on the contrary, adjust the dosage or change any medication that is not giving your pet the proper relief.
Behavioral Signs
- Unusual biting, licking or rubbing a specific area of the body (i.e. licking inflamed joints)
- Cries, tries to get away or threatens to bite when touched in this area (basically watch for any reaction that differs from his regular reaction to contact)
- Decreased appetite
- Decreased activity level, (i.e. refusal to move or go for walks)
- Reluctance to play and/or socialize, withdrawn behavior
- Anxiety, irritability or restlessness, (i.e. won´t lie down to rest)
- Unusual aggressiveness
- Unusual whining and attention seeking
- Unusual sleepiness or laziness
- Slower reaction time, slowed reflexes
- Personality changes
- Generally lethargic
- Limping
Physical Signs
- Gasping or heavy breathing
- Accelerated heart beat
- Enlarged pupils
These are just some of the signs and symptoms associated with dog pain. If your dog is exhibiting one or more of these signs you should observe them closely and try to gauge how serious the pain really is. A trip to the veterinarian may be necessary if the pain seems serious enough and you’re not sure what to do about it. Make sure to give the vet as much info as possible regarding your dog’s behavior. Make sure it’s not something related to fleas and ticks, if so you may want to check this comparison of advantix vs frontline You know your pet better than anyone and you want to do your best to make sure your dog doesn’t have to endure the pain any longer than necessary. Armed with the proper information you can help your vet determine the most appropriate dog pain treatment available.
