As a pet owner, the last thing you want is for your furry best friend to be in pain. Unfortunately, dogs can’t tell you when something hurts or doesn’t feel right, and they may even try to hide their discomfort from you. How do you know if a dog is in pain, then?
Below, we discuss a few clear signs that something’s wrong with your pet, and staying alert to them can ensure you get your dog the care they need from a trusted veterinarian in Mansfield, TX.
The Types of Pain Signs in Dogs
When a dog is in pain, whether from an injury, illness, or any other cause, it will show up in one of three ways: physical symptoms, behavioral changes, or mobility issues.
1. Physical Symptoms
A dog in pain may reveal their distress with physical symptoms and abnormal postures, like crouching or flattening their ears. Changes in how they walk can also occur; for example, they might avoid putting weight on one leg, stumble, or lose their balance. Other physical signs of pain in dogs include:
- Changes in their sleep position or an inability to get comfortable
- Muscle tension and twitching
- Shaking and trembling
- Crying, whimpering, or groaning
- Drooling more than normal
- Excessive licking or scratching in one area
- Faster breathing and heart rate
- Redness, swelling, or warmth in the affected area
2. Behavioral Changes
Sometimes, the answer to “How do you know if a dog is in pain?” comes in the form of behavioral changes. Even if your pooch doesn’t show any outward signs of pain, they provide clues to their well-being with unusual or strange behavior. For example, if your normally calm and friendly dog starts to growl when people or other pets come close, they could be trying to tell you that something hurts.
Unusual aggression when you try to touch them often indicates your dog is in pain, but they might exhibit additional behaviors like:
- Hiding
- Avoiding touch
- Changes in energy levels; if your normally playful pup suddenly refuses to engage or sleeps more than usual, for example
- Loss of appetite
- Sleeping more or less than usual
- Urinating or defecating indoors
3. Mobility Issues
When dogs feel pain, they cannot get around as easily and may avoid activities that increase their discomfort. You might notice your dog moving around more slowly than usual or limping, for example. Pain can also cause:
- Difficulty getting up and lying down
- Refusal to walk
- Reluctance to use the stairs or jump on or off furniture
Your dog may exhibit just one or several of these symptoms. In any case, if you notice changes in your pet’s behavior or mobility or if they show signs of physical distress, bring them to the veterinarian for a diagnosis.
What Causes Pain in Dogs?
Like humans, dogs can experience pain due to illness, injury, and infection. If your dog shows signs of distress, it can be due to the following conditions:
Injury
While major trauma, like getting hit by a car or falling from a significant height, can cause pain, dogs can sustain minor injuries from daily activities as well. Older dogs, in particular, are vulnerable to ligament tears, broken bones, or spinal cord issues that leave them in pain. Even seemingly minor issues like cuts or irritation of the pads of their feet can become very painful for a dog.
Arthritis
Dogs can experience the painful joint inflammation and stiffness of arthritis, just like humans. Older dogs can develop the condition, which often causes symptoms like swollen joints, decreased activity, limping, and other mobility challenges.
Illness
Your dog may show signs of pain when sick with common dog health problems; for example, pancreatitis can cause severe abdominal pain, leading to a loss of appetite, vomiting, and more. Dental disease can also cause pain, to the point where your dog will refuse to eat because doing so hurts too much due to infection or inflammation.
Sometimes, pain can be a sign of cancer in dogs, especially in large breeds. Bone cancer, the most diagnosed type in canines, usually begins in the front legs, causing pain, bumps or masses, swelling, lethargy, and more. The sooner you diagnose the disease, the more likely a doctor can treat it. So pay attention to your dog’s symptoms and see an animal doctor when they show signs of pain.
Infection
Sometimes, pain can point to a possible infection that requires treatment. For example, floppy-eared breeds are prone to ear infections that can cause pain, itching, fever, and other symptoms. A bacterial or viral infection like parvo, which leads to gastroenteritis, often results in extreme abdominal pain, vomiting, and more.
How To Help Your Dog With Pain
Now that you know the answer to “How do you know if a dog is in pain?” what can you do to help your pet feel better?
The first step begins with seeing your veterinarian for a diagnosis. In many cases, treating the underlying condition can alleviate the discomfort and help your dog feel better.
If the veterinarian diagnoses a chronic condition like arthritis, you may need to invest in additional relief measures. Some of the most effective include:
- Medication
- Massage
- Activity modifications, like shorter walks
- Diet changes, which can help reduce inflammation
- Laser therapy
- Acupuncture
- Heat and cold therapy
- Physical therapy (common for recovery after an injury or surgery)
Talk to your veterinarian about comfort measures, like an orthopaedic bed that can make your dog more comfortable and hurt less.
Get Answers From Mansfield’s Leading Animal Care Experts
If your dog shows signs of illness or injury, or you have questions about pet care like “How do you know if a dog is in pain?” or reasons a dog isn’t eating, book an appointment with Penny Paws Animal Clinic in Mansfield, Texas, to get the answers you need. Our knowledgeable veterinarians will diagnose your animal’s condition and provide effective treatments to help them stay healthy and happy. Call to schedule a visit or book online.