Vets have warned your dog may be in “severe pain” but silently suffering.
However, they have uncovered some surprising signs that can show if your dog needs help.
In a blog post, Vets Now – a UK-based after hours emergency and critical care service for pets – has offered some subtle pointers to watch out for.
They also emphasize that it pays to keep an eye on behavioral changes.
One of the easiest signals to spot is antisocial or aggressive behavior, such as when your pet stops running at the door to greet you or even hides from you.
In a blog post, Vets Now — an after-hours emergency and critical care service for pets — offered some subtle pointers to watch out for
Other signs could include your dog barking louder, panting vigorously even when not exercising, and losing interest in activity or exercise.
Owners should also be aware of body and posture changes, such as: B. a “bent over,” “stiff,” position, or a large downward dog-style stretch that allows dogs to focus on their abdominal area when pain occurs in that region.
Any irregularities in eating, drinking or sleeping must also be taken into account.
A dog in pain is likely to sleep more to heal and rest, and similar to humans, a loss of appetite or a change in regular eating and drinking habits can be a symptom of underlying problems.
If your dog has trouble eating or chewing dry and/or solid food, toothache could be the cause.
And sometimes the signs can be a little surprising and even seem positive.
While we want our puppies to take care of themselves, excessive grooming could be a sign something is wrong – especially if they are constantly licking their paws, which posts describe as a typical first reaction to cleaning and grooming a dog wound counts.
Vets also advise owners to be on the lookout for mobility issues, especially if they notice stiffness or a limp, which can indicate an injury, painful paws or, in some cases, arthritis.
One of the easiest signals to spot is antisocial or aggressive behavior, such as when your pet stops running at the door to greet you or even hides from you.
Other possible signs of pain include restlessness — such as restlessness or difficulty feeling well — and shaking or shaking, which can even be a symptom of something as serious as poisoning or kidney disease.
The Center for Pain Relief in Dogs advises that while it is important to see a veterinarian as soon as possible if you suspect your dog is in pain as only they can make a correct diagnosis, there are steps you can take to provide immediate relief.
They advise making sure you note all of your dog’s worrisome behaviors — no matter how small they are — and writing down what he’s doing and when the symptoms manifest themselves.
If your dog is on medication, make sure he’s getting the right dosage – especially since pets react differently to painkillers.
The center says that along with relieving (and eventually eliminating) the pain, it’s important to just be there for your pup.
After all, sometimes your dog suffers from a long-term illness or is waiting for a procedure.
This can be done in a number of ways. Heat packs, CBD, and glucosamine supplements can help with issues like joint pain.
However, those recovering from trauma following an accident may instead benefit from being offered space, comfort and company. The center recommends speaking to your pet in a calm voice.
The lockdown boom in pet ownership has led to a “very worrying” rise in aggressive behavior in dogs, according to a survey of veterinarians.
The survey shows that half of UK veterinarians have reported an increase in the number of clients concerned about their dogs’ increasingly aggressive behavior over the past 12 months.
While veterinarians who took part in the survey were often unsure of the exact age of the dogs involved, in cases where age was known, it was estimated that 87 percent of the dogs were less than three years old.
Almost one in four veterinarians also reported an increase in the number of pets treated in the past 12 months that were injured by aggressive dog behavior.
The British Veterinary Association, which commissioned the survey, said the results underscore the longer-term impact on puppies bought during lockdown in 2020-2021.
