10. A decrease in social interactions.
Especially those that your dog might typically initiate, such as fetching a favorite toy, might be secondary to pain. Unfortunately some dogs have so many aches and pains that it actually affects their behavior, causing a decrease in their cognitive function as they slowly withdraw into themselves, paying more attention to the pain than the outside world.
If you see two or more of these behavioral changes in your dog, then there is a good chance that he might be in pain, and even a better chance that a veterinarian can do something about it. Make an appointment and get your dog checked out. For additional signs of pain, visit http://drmikepetty.com/signs_of_pain/
Michael Petty, DVM, is a veterinarian and certified veterinary pain practitioner and acupuncturist. As owner of the Arbor Pointe Veterinary Hospital and Animal Pain Center in Canton, Michigan, Dr. Petty has devoted his professional life to the care and well-being of animals. He is the past president of the International Veterinary Academy of Pain Management and co-author of the 2015 American Animal Hospital Association Pain Guidelines. He is the author of Dr. Petty’s Pain Relief for Dogs, published on February 1, 2016. He enjoys gardening, reading and traveling, and lives on a horse farm with his wife, two daughters and two Portuguese Water Dogs. Follow Dr. Petty on Twitter @MikePettyDVM.
