Dear friend of the Riney Canine Health Center,
One of the most special aspects of dog companionship is the unspoken language we share with our dogs. No one knows your dog better than you do. This is what makes you the best advocate for your dog when you take them to the vet. While our bond and communication with our dogs are strong, it would certainly be much easier if they could simply tell us when something feels wrong.
September is Pain Awareness Month, and recognizing when our dogs might be in pain without knowing the common signs of pain can be challenging. Some signs can be obvious, like holding up o leg and yelping. But what about the more subtle signs? If your dog starts showing unusual behaviors or stops doing more typical ones, this could indicate something is wrong.
Pain is a complex experience that all living creatures can feel, and unique to the individual experiencing it. There are different types of pain depending on the underlying cause and body part affected, but in its simplest division, it can be categorized as acute or chronic pain. Acute pain is generally associated with tissue damage and serves a biological, self-limiting purpose during healing. Specific diseases or injuries can cause acute pain, such as trauma, surgery, some medical problems, infections or inflammatory diseases. The severity of acute pain can range from very mild to very severe, and can last for a few hours to several days. Acute pain can generally be well-managed using pain medications.
In contrast, chronic pain has a long duration, persisting beyond tissue healing, and it has no biological purpose or clear endpoint. It is commonly associated with chronic diseases like arthritis. Chronic pain is not just about how the pain feels, but how it makes you feel, which can cause further suffering. Without management, chronic pain can lead to hypersensitivity and cause pain sensations to spread beyond the injury site. Because of this, chronic pain significantly affects the quality of life over time.
The signs of pain can manifest differently in dogs depending on the breed, individual, age and chronicity. However, our researchers in the labs of Dr. Toshi Kawate, associate professor of molecular medicine, and Dr. Jordyn Boesch, associate clinical professor of anesthesiology and pain medicine, are trying to develop a new way to objectively assess the level of an individual dog’s pain. Part of their goal is to identify better methods for delivering medications so that they can target the different areas experiencing chronic pain. And as a member of the Riney Canine Health Center, your support helps fund critical projects in canine health like this one.
But when you’re taking care of a dog at home, changes in their behavior due to pain may occur gradually. These subtle behavioral cues will be more readily detected by someone most familiar with the dog (like you!), so learning the signs of pain as a devoted pet owner is crucial for ensuring your dog’s well-being.
Here are some changes to look out for that could indicate pain:
If you notice any of these signs or changes in your dog, contact your veterinarian to schedule a physical exam and discuss your concerns. Before the appointment, document (video, pictures or written observations) any changes in their behavior or movements to share with your veterinarian. Anxiety and fear can also affect pain recognition, so some dogs won't display the same signs at the clinic that you observe at home.
Your veterinarian can help evaluate if your dog is truly in pain, determine the cause and initiate a treatment plan. Tracking your dog’s progress once a treatment plan is started is equally important. Being proactive with pain recognition and working closely with your veterinarian to address pain can help ensure your dog is as comfortable as possible.
When we can better understand the range of our dog’s body language, we improve the quality of their lives and strengthen our bond with them. We hope this information helps you unlock a new level of mastery as your dog’s interpreter.
As always, thank you for being a Riney Canine Health Center member. We look forward to catching up with you next month!
Dr. Aly Cohen
Extension veterinarian
Cornell Richard P. Riney Canine Health Center