Why is pain the name of the game?

Pain-related behaviour in dogs can be complex. While we might anticipate obvious signs like whining or limping, dogs often mask their discomfort. Often the first signs of pain are changes in behaviour. It’s crucial for pet owners to be attuned to more subtle cues and behaviours that could indicate pain or discomfort.

  • Sleep Changes: Sleeping more or less; changes in sleep positions; more restless; changes in choice of sleeping areas/substrates

  • Appetite Changes: Decrease or increase in appetite; guarding of food

  • Play and Exercise Motivation: reluctance or disinterest in going for a walk; reduced interest in playing with you or other dogs

  • Social Interactions: Irritability or withdrawal from interactions with known people or other animals in the home; becoming extra clingy and needy

  • Aggression: towards people or other dogs; growling or biting when asked to move from a resting place

  • Sensitivity to handling: Avoidance or dislike of being picked up, groomed, handled - in general or just specific parts of the body

  • Reactivity/sensitivity: to a variety of triggers such dogs, people, traffic, noises

  • Changes in posture or gait: intermittent lameness; unusual standing, sitting or sleeping positions

  • Compulsive behaviours: such as excessive chewing or licking, spinning, Pica (compulsive eating of non-food items), star-gazing, fly snapping and excessive or rhythmic barking

  • Mood Shifts: Dogs experiencing pain might exhibit mood swings or become less tolerant. A big red flag is when owners describe their dogs as ‘lazy’ or ‘grumpy’ or describe a young dog as ‘like an old man’

These subtle changes can go unnoticed for extended periods, sometimes years, but being attentive of such changes can make a significant difference by recognizing them early.

 

Have you been working hard on trying to modify your dog’s behaviour but struggled to make any progress or come to a bit of a brick wall?  Do you feel confident that pain or discomfort have been thoroughly ruled out as potentially contributing to your dog’s problematic behaviour?

 
 

In a recent study carried out in Lincoln University by Dr. Daniel Mills, it was found that approximately 80% of dogs that presented with behavioural issues had some form of undiagnosed pain that was a direct cause or adding to a problematic behaviour.

 

Undiagnosed pain can significantly influence a dog’s behaviour, making it challenging for them to process new information effectively. It’s like trying to learn while carrying a heavy burden—difficult and frustrating.

Listen to your dog by observing their behaviour closely, noting those subtle changes and seek professional advice if needed. Your care and attention play a vital role in their well-being. Remember, your dog cannot take themselves to the Vet or seek medical treatment - you are their advocate!

If your dog is experiencing discomfort, addressing the pain should be a priority. Once their physical well-being is addressed, behaviour modification efforts are likely to yield better results.

 

Have you taken your dog to the vet and been given the all-clear, but you still suspect that there’s something going undetected?

 

As a dog owner, your intuition and understanding of your dog are invaluable. Trust those instincts—if you sense something isn’t quite right with your dog, you’re likely onto something.

‘It is almost impossible to diagnose pain by examination in the consultation room’ Gwen Covey-Crump BVetMed, CertVA, DipECVAA, MRCVS, pain specialist at Langford Veterinary Hospital, Bristol.

Veterinary consultations are often brief, and dogs can react differently in the clinic environment. Regardless of how amazing your Vet is, it can be extremely challenging for them to successfully locate a source of pain in your dog during such a short consultation. Fear, anxiety, and adrenaline can indeed mask pain and alter their behaviour. Here are some reasons why assessing pain accurately during Vet visits can be challenging:

  1. Fear and Anxiety: Being in an unfamiliar place with strangers handling them can cause fear and anxiety. Dogs may not display typical pain-related behaviours due to these emotions.

  2. Adrenaline Levels: Fear and anxiety (‘fight or flight’) leads to elevated adrenaline levels. Adrenaline helps mask pain and this can affect your dog’s perception of pain and overall behaviour. This is why it is common for dogs not to display a pain response when being examined by the Vet.

  3. Altered Movement and Posture: Pain can influence a dog’s movement and posture. However, in a clinic setting they might not exhibit these changes consistently.

  4. Response to Touch: Dogs may react differently to touch when they’re anxious or fearful. Some may become more sensitive, while others may suppress pain responses.

Given these complexities, it’s crucial for pet owners to provide detailed information about their dog’s behaviour at home. This is where a Dynamic Dog Assessment can be hugely beneficial. As a fully accredited Dynamic Dog Practitioner I am trained to carry out in-depth hands free functional assessments to highlight areas of potential discomfort in dogs. Observations outside the clinic—such as changes in sleep, appetite, movement, posture and social interactions are collated and analysed using photos and videos as well as information gathered from the initial consultation. The final report is then sent to your Vet to help them piece together the puzzle and get an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan in place for your dog.

 
 

Is your dog fearful and anxious, making it challenging, impossible, or even unsafe for them to be examined and handled by another canine professional?

 

A Dynamic Dog Assessment offers a non-intrusive approach to evaluating your dog’s well-being. Conducted remotely within the familiar confines of your home, it eliminates the need for strangers to interact with your dog physically. This makes it ideal for those more sensitive dogs who are worried by people or new environments. Here’s how it works:

  1. Comfort and Safety: Your dog remains in their safe space, free from the stresses of unfamiliar surroundings or handling.

  2. Hands-Off: You won’t need to touch your dog during the assessment. Instead, we collaborate together to gather the essential evidence.

  3. Detailed Report: Based on our findings, I’ll compile a comprehensive report for your veterinarian to help them make an accurate assessment of your dog’s condition and devise an appropriate treatment plan.

Remember, your active participation ensures the best outcome for your dog.

 

Other Canine Professionals

If you are a canine professional who is struggling with a case, a stand-alone Dynamic Dog Assessment could provide you with that missing piece of the puzzle you need to progress with your client. I am experienced with working as part of a multi-disciplinary team and supporting other professionals, so if you need a sounding board or a second opinion, please get in touch. 

 

ACCREDITATION

Dynamic Dog Practitioners are exclusively certified by All About the Dog Therapy - FULLY accredited by UK Rural Skills and CPD Standards. For more information about the course or to verify my accreditation, go to: https://www.dynamicdog.co.uk/about