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How can I tell if my dog is in pain, and what should I do if they are?
This is such an important question, and isn’t always easy to answer. Dogs can be masters at hiding their discomfort or powering through it. Of course, the most appropriate answer to this question will be provided by your veterinarian during an examination. Obvious signs like whining, yelping, and limping are easy to see. But if you’re wondering whether a vet visit is in order, here are some slightly more subtle signs to look out for:
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The dog has chosen to participate less in her normal activities
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She is grumpy if disturbed by you or another household pet
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She is slower when getting up or settling down
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She is panting when the temperature doesn’t warrant it
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She is restless
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Her appetite has changed
What signs have you seen in your own dogs when they are in pain?
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1 Reply
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This is an important topic for trainers and pet sitters especially! Because we come in with fresh eyes, we can often see something different about the dog that may have been so gradual the owner didn’t notice.
DON’T BE AFRAID TO SPEAK UP!! IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING!
One time I was doing an in-home consultation with a family who had 2 off-the-track greyhounds. I was there to help them with the younger one who had recently been adopted. It was my second appointment there, so I had met both dogs once before. The older female seemed a bit “off” to me that second visit. I noticed she didn’t get up to greet me and the expression on her face was… stoic. She was also panting, though the room was cool.
I asked the owners if she was feeling okay. They said, “Well, she didn’t eat this morning and she’s been acting like she wants to throw up…” I took a quick peek at her gum color and instead of a nice healthy pink it was bordering on white. I said, “Let’s cancel today’s lesson and could you please take her to the vet RIGHT NOW!”
They did. They called me later and said we saved her life. The vet diagnosed bloat. If we had waited even 15 more minutes she would not have lived. ????
The thing is… if I had not been there to look at her gums… they wouldn’t have known the issue was so urgent! The old gal often spent extra time in her bed, so they thought maybe she was just having some joint pain or something.
I’ve also done my share of sending puppies home from class for sneezing and ooky eyes or stopping a session because a dog is limping… so it isn’t always a life-and-death situation… but when you are the pro and you are in a position to assess a dog’s health for training or a walk, it’s good to know your stuff and to insist on the dog’s wellness first and foremost.
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