Is your dog in pain?

Is your dog showing signs of pain? You need to get your dog help as soon as possible to avoid unnecessary pain, but you also need to be careful with painkillers.

There's lots of reasons your dog could be in pain, from trauma and inflammation, to bites and wounds. Osteoarthritis and joint changes also cause pain. Most complaints are treated with pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce the animal's suffering.

You must make sure your dog is examined to find the source before giving any painkillers.

A dog that is in pain usually has difficulty settling down, loses its appetite and can become very stressed. If you suspect that your dog is not feeling well, don't wait to make an appointment with your vet.

Signs your dog could be in pain

Subdued and low, or seems sad
Refusing to go for a walk
Difficulty standing up, stiffness and lameness
Changed general condition with fatigue/lethargy
Fever
Repeated licking in and around the sore area
Difficulty settling down
Loss of appetite
Changed breathing pattern

The difference between acute and chronic pain in dogs

Chronic pain can be more difficult to detect in your dog - as your dog can adapt its movements and behaviour patterns to hide his.

Acute and sudden pain is normally obviously visible, especially at the time when the pain first occurs.

Pain treatment for dogs

Sometimes pain relievers are the only way to improve the dog's quality of life. Anti-inflammatory medications help reduce swelling and inflammation in muscles and tissues, providing pain relief. Infected wounds may also sometimes require painkillers for both cleaning and treatment.

It's important to consider that anti-inflammatory medications can also cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea in dogs with sensitive stomachs.

There are diseases where pain relief is not always the only option. Arthritis can cause great pain but is a progressive disease that can be alleviated with the help of exercise and keeping your dog at a healthy weight. Your dog's weight and condition are absolutely crucial for them to feel good.

Excess weight, or obesity, puts strain on the joints and causes osteoarthritis to develop more quickly. Physical activity creates muscle mass that helps support the joints. This can lower the pain levels for your dog when they move.

Preventing pain in your dog

To reduce your dog's suffering, it is important that you pay attention to your dog's behaviour. Does they move differently? Do they have difficulty walking? Maybe they've lost the appetite? There are many signs that your dog is in pain. If you suspect that the dog is unwell, you should contact a veterinarian immediately.

Pain scale in a dog

Pain in a dog is assessed based on a pain scale of 1-10 degrees.

0 degrees is a dog without pain
3-4 degrees is mild to moderate pain
6-7 degrees is moderate to severe pain
9 degrees is very severe pain Prevent pain in your dog

When should I contact the vet?

If you suspect that your dog is in pain, make sure that it gets help at an early stage to avoid unnecessary suffering for the dog.

Important note on painkillers

Never give your dog painkillers intended for humans. It can lead to damage to internal organs. Animals may only be treated with painkillers prescribed by a veterinarian.