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Articles > HealthDog Pain Addressing pain in dogs hasn’t always been a top priority for veterinarians. In fact, at one time, they believed animals didn’t even feel pain or somehow perceived it differently than humans. Now that’s changed. Over the last decade research has shown animals and humans have similar neural pathways for the development, conduction, and modulation of pain. “They feel pain just like we do,” explains Shana Savikko, DVM, and Veterinary Advisor at the American Animal Hospital Association in Lakewood, Colorado. “And that pain can be debilitating, decrease the quality of life, and make the bond between the pet and the owner decrease.” Armed with better knowledge, veterinary medicine has taken a huge leap forward in reducing animal suffering caused by surgery, injury, illness and chronic conditions. Today, pain management is frequently taught in the curriculum at many veterinary schools. And in 2007 the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) released a blue print, of sorts, for veterinarians on how to relieve, and when possible, eliminate animal suffering. A host of conditions and illnesses can cause pain to flare up in older dogs ranging from osteoarthritis and tooth abscesses to all types of cancer, notes Savikko. But just like humans, each dog is an individual with different pain thresholds and for some unlucky pooches they might experience more than one source of pain at any given time. For example, a senior dog with arthritis that undergoes surgery to remove a mass might experience muscular discomfort from positioning during the procedure, in addition to the pain associated with the surgery itself. Unfortunately our dogs can’t verbally tell us when they’re not feeling well. Making matters worse, they instinctively try to hide their discomfort from us. “By the time you see them showing signs of pain, it usually means they’ve been hurting for quite a while,” says Savikko. Here are a few of the physical and behavioral signs, which might be triggered by pain, to look for in your senior dog:
“They may also be slower to get up and less willing to participate in the normal activities that they used to enjoy so much,” adds Savikko If you suspect your dog is hurting make an appointment to see your veterinarians. “’There are a lot of ways that veterinarians can help, be it modifying their environment, changing their diet, or changing their exercise routine,” she says. Popping pills can also help. Pain medication controls symptoms such as inflammation, swelling and stiffness and joint pain. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are commonly given to geriatric pets with arthritis. Experts warn, though, that pills used to control pain, such as NSAIDs, should only be given when necessary and in the smallest effective dose. Medication isn’t the only answer, of course. You can also alleviate your dog’s discomfort through nutritional supplements, acupuncture, and massage. Another option for dogs that undergo surgery or suffer from trauma is physical therapy. Rehabilitation uses many of the same techniques used on humans such as heat therapy, stretching, passive range-of-motion exercise, hydrotherapy, therapeutic exercise, use of underwater treadmill, and strength-building. Being quick to pinpoint pain in your pet, coupled with the increased knowledge of veterinarians to prevent and treat pain, go along way in helping your senior dog live out her best years joyfully and happily. ~ Staff, SeniorDogs.com If you would like to include this article on your site please include the following information with the article:
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