By David Pike
Often dogs will suffer in silence and because they can’t speak, it can be difficult for you to tell when they’re in pain. While it is easy to spot a limp and a painful cry, pain that’s moderate or chronic to withstand requires more scrutiny to identify. Fortunately, there are some signs, some easier to recognize than others that imply pain in dogs. Even then, avoid treating your pet’s pain yourself. But what happens when your best friend is in pain and the only solution is in home dog euthanasia ? Talking to Dr. Ray Spragley can help you find the best solution for your pet.
And what if such a situation can be avoided by calling in a holistic vet at Zen Dog Veterinary Care? Since animals can’t talk, it is upon you to pay close attention and take note of any signs of pain. Here we’ll discuss four signs that indicate that your dog may be in pain.
Change in behaviour
One of the early and most obvious signs of pain is the change in general behavior. When you notice your dog or any other pet has a sudden behavior change, you may want to take a closer look. Change in behaviors could be the lack of enthusiasm or playfulness that dogs usually have. There could be further changes in their eating and sleeping habits such as too much sleep and loss of appetite.
Constant grooming and high vocalization
Dogs just like cats tend to groom themselves by licking themselves. However, licking especially localized licking is also a means of soothing especially when they’re in pain. If you notice your dog is overly licking their paws or any other area on their body, it could be that they are in pain. Licking wounds is also a dog’s instinct to clean and care for those wounds but at other times, the pain is internal. Studies show that when a dog is in pain, it tends to bark, growl and even howl more. It is a way of communicating that something is wrong. So listen to your pup.
Aggressive behaviour
When wounded or in pain, most dogs will activate their protection mode as they are afraid of being hurt further even by their owners. This protection mode is exhibited in overly aggressive behavior such as biting when touched especially if your dog is docile. However, each dog will act differently when wounded.
Withdrawal or affection seeking
Another sign that may be quite evident is the need for affection. When hurt, a dog may cling to its owners to get consolation or soothing. On the other hand, some dogs when hurt will choose to withdraw and even hide.
All of the above signs are easy to spot, that’s why when you notice the slightest change in your dog’s eating habits, don’t ignore it or take it as nothing. Even on a busy schedule, do take time to obverse your pet as they could be in pain. If you notice any mishaps, call in a holistic vet to do a further inspection and give the right treatment and therapy depending on your dog’s needs.
