Pain in Dogs: Recognizing Symptoms of Physical Discomfort
When nothing helps - pain can be a factor
Sometimes, nothing helps; the problem worsens, and training results are absent. All conceivable measures have been tried, but nothing helps. It pains to realize afterwards that the dog has been in pain, hence refusing grooming and reacting aggressively towards the neighbor's dog for instance. It is not uncommon for behavioral problems in dogs to stem from or be exacerbated by pain.
How to detect acute pain in your dog
The impact of pain on the body is complex. Acute pain is easy to see; it is intense and sudden; the dog yelps, shifts weight from the affected area, or shows overall discomfort if the pain comes from within.
Chronic pain in dogs: symptoms and spread
Long-lasting pain presents differently. The persistent, throbbing, pulsating ache is more subtle. It can come and go or be constant, but it's something the dog doesn't get used to as the strength of pain signals increases over time to remind the body that something is wrong. The painful area may also expand; a sore hock joint can turn into a throbbing ache throughout the entire leg.
How pain affects a dog's hormonal system
A lot happens in the body during prolonged pain; for instance, adrenaline production increases, providing the dog with a higher pain threshold. We'll come back to that. Endorphin production (the body's natural morphine) also increases, dampening the strength of pain signals. This is practical for an injured prey animal whose fate depends on continued escape. Endorphins are also released during vigorous exercise, and their effects are noticeable during the cool-down. We'll return to this as well. If the dog doesn't get help, the pain becomes an inevitable part of the dog's life, and the body will compensate to cope.
Detect pain through unbalanced movements
Compensation, a disturbance in the dog's movement pattern, is a visible sign that something is wrong. Imagine a dog that starts to walk crookedly; when you walk behind, you see a dog whose hind paws don't follow the front paws' footsteps, and the hind legs go to the side of the front paws' tracks.
Slouching: a sign of pain?
Another sign could be when the dog sits crookedly, from the front, you see a hind knee that angles out of line instead of pointing straight ahead.
Uneven stride length can be a sign of pain
If you observe a dog walking in profile, you can note the step length. Are the front steps long while the hind steps seem shorter? Maybe one hind leg takes a shorter step than the other?
Is your dog relieving one or more legs? It could be pain
Also, look at the dog when it's in a relaxed state, see if the dog stands straight and well-balanced or leans on one leg or leg pair more than the other. Some dogs with pain stand on their heels or toes, tipping their weight forward or backward to relieve discomfort.
Restrained movements: a common sign of pain
Then there are dogs that tremble when stepping down or hang their bodies to relieve stress. Some take hopping steps when trotting, do pacing, or hop like rabbits with their hind legs synchronized instead of a regular gallop; some widen their stance with both elbows outward and their heads hanging low, similar to a crocodile's gait. Nothing is normal or breed-typical.
When should you seek professional help?
Changes in movement patterns can be diverse and gradual, sometimes with an increased need for rest or stiffness after rest. If dogs moving as described have pain or not is a veterinarian's (preferably an orthopedic specialist's) job to investigate and treat, preferably in collaboration with a canine physiotherapist or canine rehabilitation therapist. Your role as a dog parent is to be observant and seek care if you suspect your dog needs it. For more information, you can read about symptoms indicating pain.
Dog physiotherapist's advice
Frida Lundin is a canine physiotherapist and head of education at the Swedish School of Physiotherapy. She is also a member of the board of the Dog Arthritis Patient Association and serves as Petli's canine physiotherapist. She assists dogs with pain on a daily basis and says:
"One can always get injured; it's a risk we take in life. Chronic pain is difficult, troublesome, and can become a great suffering." Frida believes that most dogs are happy and active, without symptoms of pain or discomfort until the day they hurt so much that they can no longer hide it. "When a dog starts limping, it's in so much pain that it can no longer move any other way. It feels like it happens overnight, but with hindsight, many realize that the dog has been in pain for a long time." Frida recommends getting to know your dog's movement patterns and behavior, what is normal for your dog, and taking deviations and changes seriously. This way, you stay ahead of the game, and the interventions you make yield better results.
Chronic pain: debilitating for dogs' health
Long-term, chronic pain and inflammation are destructive to the body, both physically and mentally. The stress system is activated, and eventually, energy and patience wane, making it difficult for the dog to experience joy. Sadness, anxiety, and stress take over. These emotional states can worsen the experience of pain because the amygdala's activity (the brain's alarm system) increases during negative emotions and is inhibited during positive ones. Pain aggravates the amygdala, setting off a vicious circle between pain and mental well-being. If the dog also has so much physical pain that it can't rest, lies awake for long periods, and maybe gets up and moves around at night, sleep deprivation can make the situation even worse.
Common behaviors that can indicate pain
Avoidance behavior: a sign of pain?
Let's take a closer look at behavioral responses to pain. Dogs with pain in their bodies may hesitate to climb stairs, avoid certain surfaces, dislike car rides, or resist jumping up or down. They may also change the way they jump.
Gasping and licking: Indications of pain
Another symptom is panting beyond exertion, regardless of whether it's hot or cold. This is called pacing and is a sign of pain; the panting is short, choppy, and the dog looks heavy. Sometimes, dogs in pain engage in self-massage of the affected area by licking it.
Increased sensitivity to sound in pain in dogs
Another pain response is increased noise sensitivity or fear. If the pain is in the ear (such as an ear infection), it makes sense. Still, long-term pain in, say, a leg can make dogs hypersensitive to noise, making sounds overwhelming.
Fear of touch: Is your dog in pain?
Another sign is a dog in pain in the hindquarters or back that becomes fearful of things approaching from behind—people, trailers, or bicycles whizzing past. Some dogs don't suffer in silence. They growl and react if they expect pain, like when their whole body or the painful area is touched. They may resist grooming and nail clipping, snap if they are picked up, and become outwardly aggressive towards strangers who want to greet them.
Aggression and pain: What does your dog's behavior tell you?
Dogs in pain can become unsocial or aggressive towards other dogs, often those larger than themselves, as they represent a physical strain. These dogs are protective of their bodies and want to keep others at a distance. Their outbursts are often sharp and seemingly unprovoked because they are rooted in the dog's perceived threat. Then there are dogs who suffer in silence; they withdraw, appear submissive, and have a restless gaze when the painful area is attended to.
The role of adrenaline in masking pain in dogs
Sometimes it's challenging to see that a dog is in pain, especially if it doesn't slow down and continues to race around wildly, ending the walk with enthusiastic figure eights. Some dogs have so much energy that their bodies bear the brunt, even if it hurts because running, jumping, and playing are more important. It can also be a conscious strategy, considering the impact of adrenaline and endorphins on pain perception. Yes, a dog in pain can become more active, running around in the evenings, and then collapsing and sleeping well due to the adrenaline from the increased activity. The behavior can seem a bit manic and may appear misleadingly like happiness. It's tough to accept that your best friend is in pain; it's understandable, but it's important to take the signals seriously with a clear mind, even if it hurts in your heart. For the dog's sake. For more details on the symptoms of back pain, you can read Back Pain in Dogs: Symptoms and Treatment.
Written by: Frida Lundin
Frida Lundin is a dog physiotherapist and cynologist, specializing in the physical health and well-being of dogs. She also runs Åre HundRehab and is the founder and teacher at the Swedish School of Physiotherapy.
Reviewed by: Caroline Alupo
Caroline Alupo is Petli's co-founder. She has a master's degree in ethology and is also a trained dog trainer and dog psychologist. She has 19 years of experience as a professional dog trainer. Read more about Caroline here.
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