One of the many times dogs do not speak is when they have a health problem. After all, few things are as distressing for a tutor as imagining that your friend may be suffering in silence. But how do you know if the dog is in pain?
According to Petz veterinarian Aline Gisele Andrade, dogs do give signs that they are uncomfortable. According to her, it is important to be aware of even the most subtle, since dogs are more tolerant than us when it comes to pain. Therefore, the most obvious evidence usually only appears when it is already in the middle or advanced level. Let us know what these signs are?
6 Signs Your Dog Is In Pain
The first step in recognizing that your friend is in trouble is to watch him and know him well. This is because they do not always manifest pain in the same way so that over time and with good observation, it is possible to know when the dog is in pain.
“There is a pet that manifests the same pain vocalizing while another becomes apathetic,” says the veterinarian. Taking into account that the sooner the problem is identified, the less discomfort the dog is and the easier the treatment, she reinforces: “It is important that the owner knows the pet and the signals given by him very well to be able to help him”.
Below are some ways you can tell if your dog is in pain and what problems they are usually associated with.
1. Apathy and isolation
Does your dog, who loves to play and be with people, suddenly not interested in anything else? It’s best to investigate by taking him to the vet. It is that apathy and isolation are some of the most common signs that something is wrong and may be associated with all types of pain.
2. Lack of appetite
Some more selective dogs may occasionally skip a meal without representing that they are in pain. If your dog is a glutton but suddenly stops eating, see a vet.
This is because most health problems have anorexia as a symptom, and may also be associated with stomach, teeth or spinal pain. This is also one of the ways to tell if your dog has a stomachache, as small bowel problems often alter the pet’s appetite.
3. Vocalization
Barking, weeping and howling are an important form of communication for dogs. For this reason, some pets may also use them to tell the guardian that they are in pain.
4. Shrunken back
A dog with an arched or shrunken back may be suffering from abdominal pain. In this case, the ideal is to seek a veterinarian as soon as possible, since dogs usually only give this signal when the pain is already quite intense.
5. Claudication
Like us, dogs only limp when they are in pain. According to Dr. Thais, the most common is joint pain. However, limping can also be linked to leg injuries, dislocations, among others. Anyway, it is important to go to the vet as it is sure that your friend is in some pain.
6. Resistance to walk
Do you call your dog and he will not come to you, invite you to play and he will not move or move very little? Be sure to seek help quickly. Dogs with walking resistance are signaling severe pain and back problems. So the sooner you seek treatment, the better it will be for your friend.
In addition to these signs, dogs may manifest pain in other ways as well, such as excessive licking at the pain site or even through aggression or changing expressions. Therefore, the key to how to know if the dog is in pain is to know your pet well and always consult the veterinarian in case of any change, be it physical or behavioral.
