Written By: Micheal Petty, DVM
As a veterinarian and pain management expert, barely a day goes by in my practice when a dog doesn’t come in whose caregiver describes behavior that is associated with pain, or in whom I see outward signs of pain. It is often accompanied by this type of explanation, “Our middle aged dog doesn’t like to go on walks anymore and has become really crabby when our one year old dog wants to play. I would think it’s because he wants to be top dog, but at bedtime, he now allows the young dog to sleep in bed with us, and that was always his territory.” These statements are then often accompanied by, “He’s going through lots of changes as he gets older, but thank goodness he is not in pain!”
Behavior Changes May Be A Sign Of Pain
Actually, these could be dog pain symptoms. I understand that caregivers may be inclined to blame behavioral changes on the process of aging; many veterinarians have the same misconceptions! In veterinary school, we are taught to look for outward signs like limping, but not all dogs in pain limp. The following are some signs of what you as a dog owner should be on the lookout for. As you read these descriptions, be aware that none of these are absolutes; if your dog has acted a certain way his whole life, then it just might be normal behavior for him. Many of my clients find it helpful to compare their dog’s behaviors today to behaviors or actions a few years ago.
Scroll through and see if you recognize any of the pain symptoms in your dog.
1. Reluctance to go on walks, or maybe on long walks.
As animals age, muscle mass and stamina decrease and they can’t always do their favorite things as long and hard as they used to. But they should still approach taking a walk with the same excitement they did when they were young. If your dog is being dragged on the end of the leash, or turning around and looking back toward home after a block or two, this could indicate he is in pain.
2. Sudden or gradual reluctance to play.
Dogs want to play with other members of the household, animal or human, throughout their entire lives. Suddenly not wanting to engage in these activities could indicate they are in pain. If you have ever had a sore shoulder or carpal tunnel syndrome, then you know exactly how you can move those joints without causing undo pain. If someone greets you and aggressively shakes you hand, the pain can be excruciating. So it is with some of our dogs’ favorite games or when interacting with other dogs.
3. Inability to jump up on furniture.
This might be something you have discouraged in your house, but if not, suddenly not doing it (or climbing stairs or getting in a vehicle unassisted) anymore might be because the reward of jumping up is not be worth the pain of doing so. This is more obvious when there is a second dog in the house that suddenly takes over the other dog’s “spot.”
4. Reluctance to be groomed.
The pressure of a brush over sore muscles and joints or the position of your dog when getting groomed might be painful for him. When I see a scruffy and matted dog in my practice, some owners say, “He just doesn’t like to be groomed anymore.” This could be due to pain.
5. Avoidance of slippery surfaces.
For many dogs with osteoarthritis, walking on a slippery floor can be challenging; as the painful leg slides out, even just a little, it puts pressure on the affected joint. If you notice your dog suddenly not wanting to go into a room with slippery surfaces, such as wood floors, this could indicate that he is in pain.
6. Exaggerated circling before lying down.
In can be an amusing site to watch a dog walk in tight circles prior to lying down. But with dogs in pain, this behavior sometimes becomes exaggerated; circling first in one direction, then the other, with maybe a few aborted attempts to lie down. Despite the apparent careful preparation, some dogs with osteoarthritis almost seem to fall down at the end, as it is too painful to ease themselves into position.
7. Disrupted sleep patterns.
After falling asleep and lying in one position for a few hours, arthritic dogs sometime wake up with pain, a pain that is too uncomfortable to fall back asleep even after they have adjusted their position.
8. Decrease in appetite.
This can be secondary to many issues, both behavioral and medical. And some breeds, especially retrievers and beagles, will eat no matter how poorly they feel, but always talk to your vet if you notice your dog has a decrease in appetite, as this could be related to pain.
9. House-training issues.
Although many pet owners joke with me about their dog going through his “second childhood,” these accidents may occur because it is simply too painful to find the caregiver to ask to go out, to negotiate the steps into the back yard, or to face weather extremes. Many dogs just give up, and although they may feel shame for breaking the rules, the alternative is even more painful to contemplate.
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.