Jake, RIP, was a very lucky dog. In the last years of his life he received massages to relieve his aches and pain.

Aimee, a canine massage therapist, is amazing. She has a really big heart for older dogs and hospice patients. (Yep, there’s hospice for dogs too.)

We always find something to chat about when she’s here. Recently, we talked about pain, as she literally has her hands on dogs in pain every day.  

During our conversation, she mentioned that pet parents often don’t realize how much pain their dog is in. And cats are masters at hiding pain. In fact, a survey of veterinary clinics worldwide found that up to 70% of dogs and cats live with hidden pain. That’s a lot of animals living in pain. 

Pain has many symptoms, and like people, every animal handles it differently. Some signs your pet may be in pain are obvious, like limping, struggling to climb stairs, or changes in eating and sleeping habits.

Many signs creep in slowly over time, like being slower to rise from lying down and jumping less or not as high. Big dogs might lie down with a “thud.”

Some animals become less social or hide, or the opposite, seeking affection constantly. 

Anxiety is also a symptom of pain.  An animal’s survival instinct tells them that pain and weakness make them vulnerable, which causes anxiety.  A common example, is an older dog who was never afraid of thunderstorms but is now trembling and inconsolable during storms or fireworks.

Some signs of pain are also signs of anxiety, which makes it even more confusing.  For example, excessive licking can be a sign of pain, anxiety, or allergies. Likewise, pacing, restlessness (especially at night), and whining or increased vocalizing are also signs of pain and/or anxiety, making it difficult to determine the underlying cause of these symptoms.

In dogs, panting can be a symptom of pain, anxiety, or that they’re too hot. If cats are breathing with their mouths open, it’s a sign of respiratory distress, and they must see a veterinarian immediately. 

Here are a few more signs of hidden pain:

• Walking with their head at shoulder level or lower than shoulders. As the rear legs get weaker, they carry more of their weight on the front legs. This lowers their neck and head
• Bunny hopping, i.e. using both rear legs together rather than one at a time. A sign of weakness or instability with the rear legs.
• Air scratches: They can no longer reach their ears or shoulders with their back legs and get air instead.
• Touch sensitivity. Aimee often sees dogs create distracting behaviors to avoid being touched in painful areas. Many of her clients share that their dog snuggles less or avoids being touched.
• Trembling isn’t just feeling cold, it can also be a sign of pain or fear.
• Behavior changes are common when animals are in pain or don’t feel well. Animals can become more irritable or possibly aggressive.

Now that you know what signs to look for, you can detect pain and start supporting (or treating) your furry friend sooner rather than later.  And early support helps them live longer, better lives.

Resources:

Is your cat in pain? Check out the Feline Grimace Pain Scale to find out.

If  you want to learn more about canine massage, or to find a practitioner near you, visit www.nbcaam.org

If you live in the St. Paul/Mpls area and want to connect with Aimee, visit her website at www.littlebearanimalmassage.com