For a vet to diagnose pain it isn’t just as simple as your pet yelping or not placing weight on a limb. There are many subtle signs that your family member will show you when they are in pain before it gets to that stage.
These may include:
· Differences in their sleeping pattern
· Not wanting to go on a walk or being slow and reluctant
· Being stiff
· Not jumping onto furniture like they used too
· Scuffing or tripping over their feet
· Muscle wastage
· Falling over
· Not picking their feet up as much
· Changes in posture
· Behavioural differences – being a bit grouchy
· Obsessively licking at an area
Chronic discomfort can be debilitating and isn’t just a “part of getting old”. 35% of dogs over a year old and 80% of dogs over eight will have arthritis – that’s four out of dogs! Pain relief will not get rid of the problem but it will help to mask it. Its all about management – you wouldn’t take a paracetamol daily just in case you hurt that day! Once your vet has a diagnosed arthritis there are many things that can be done to manage your dogs pain, and in some cases reduce the need for pain relief.
Lets talk muscles! Muscles are what absorb the shock from joint movement and limb placement – without them every time your pet moves it will cause a shockwave of pain to the already painful joints. The healthier the muscle mass the more they can absorb, meaning the less pain your dog will feel. Strengthening therapies pay a key role in pain management for this reason.
But its not just about strengthening – there are many pain management therapies that will reduce the pain and allow your dog to get more out of their strengthening therapies, which enables better muscle mass and potentially the reduction of medication.
By working together as a multi-disciplinary team, your team will work with your and your dog to get the best possible outcome. Yes pain killers will reduce pain and allow your dog to receive pain therapies in comfort but it is the management that will improve your pets quality of life and allow them to live happier for longer, potentially coming off long term medication. The diagram below shows how pain relief really is the tip of the iceberg. Ask your vet today about complimentary therapies to improve your dog’s comfort.
