IDENTIFYING PAIN
SIGNS OF PAIN
Like people, dogs experience pain for a variety of reasons including infections, dental disease, arthritis, cancer, injured tendons or muscles, torn nails, etc. Unlike people, they cannot verbalize when and where they feel pain. They can however, speak to us through their behavior. As a pet owner you can watch for tell tail signs that your dog is in pain. The following are symptoms that may indicate pain in your pet:
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Changes in social interaction, either avoiding interaction or being more clingy
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Changes in appetite, eating more slowly, dropping food or avoiding food altogether
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Changes in mood, acting anxious, growling or snapping when being approached or touched, particularly near the painful area
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Changes in posture, such as a hunched back, head hanging low or tail between their legs
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Changes in mobility, refusing or hesitant to jump into the car or on the couch, climb stairs, slow to rise, refusing walks
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Lapses in house training
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Excessive licking or chewing at particular areas on their body
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Other signs include trembling, restlessness, shaking, panting, whining, groaning, whimpering, grunting or yelping, vacant staring
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