Is your dog in Pain? Learn to spot the signs.

We have a dog that a lot of those applies too. I'm finding him a really difficult one to judge. He is on pain killers and see's a vet every few months. I last took him by mistake last week as I'd got my dates mixed up but we went in (I had also booked another dog ap apt at the same time) and they didnt examine him but also didn't look at him and go "oh my god" just said Hello to him and said he was looking well in himself.
He is very happy and playful, he initiates games with the others, Walks I try to keep slow and stready, sometimes I sit down thinking a break would do him good or to have snuffle time rather than walk time and he gets imaptiant and nudges at be before running ahead and then coming back to nudge again! He's always wagging, alert, loves his food. Never sick or sorry.
It's really hard to guage. I look at him move and say he's not doing well, I look at the whole picture and he's having a blast.
 
poiuytrewq said:
We have a dog that a lot of those applies too. I'm finding him a really difficult one to judge. He is on pain killers and see's a vet every few months. I last took him by mistake last week as I'd got my dates mixed up but we went in (I had also booked another dog ap apt at the same time) and they didnt examine him but also didn't look at him and go "oh my god" just said Hello to him and said he was looking well in himself.
He is very happy and playful, he initiates games with the others, Walks I try to keep slow and stready, sometimes I sit down thinking a break would do him good or to have snuffle time rather than walk time and he gets imaptiant and nudges at be before running ahead and then coming back to nudge again! He's always wagging, alert, loves his food. Never sick or sorry.
It's really hard to guage. I look at him move and say he's not doing well, I look at the whole picture and he's having a blast.
Click to expand...
Most of these apply to my old girl who is also on painkillers. I look at her sometimes and think she is struggling then go up to our field and she is off like a rocket. Over the moon if she gets a chance to go round the sheep and generally very happy. I am not allowed to leave her behind when I take the other dog training. She doesn't even want to come in and watch but just has to be with us so stays happily in the car. Eager to go for walks hates ever being left behind. Frequently tries to initiate ball games in the house but I strictly resist these. So hard to judge just how they really are.
 
At risk of repeating myself, drive and pure habit carry dogs through pain and discomfort and they start feeling it later, and don't make the link between the initial activity (the walk, the ball chasing etc) and the pain, so they will often always look like they really want to do the thing that is (eventually) causing them pain.
 
Yes I get that. Hence he doesn’t go on proper walks, or chase things.
We know he suffers pain. No one can know to what extent and that’s what I’m saying, it’s difficult to call with some animals. There is no clear line.
Are we saying all dogs who show any sign of pain should be put to sleep, or is it ok to manage them and keep them going whilst they are happy.
Ours is as I say on pain medication and regularly sees a vet.
 
poiuytrewq said:
Yes I get that. Hence he doesn’t go on proper walks, or chase things.
We know he suffers pain. No one can know to what extent and that’s what I’m saying, it’s difficult to call with some animals. There is no clear line.
Are we saying all dogs who show any sign of pain should be put to sleep, or is it ok to manage them and keep them going whilst they are happy.
Ours is as I say on pain medication and regularly sees a vet.
Click to expand...
Same as mine. If I restrict her and don't let her do what she loves she will be so miserable and she is a long way from needing to be put down. My vet is happy with her and says she has good muscle tone. I will never push her to do more than she wants to do or is able to do. She is my best mate and I will do everything I can to keep her happy.
 
It’s hard isn’t it.
I could make ours stay home and not allow him to play with the others but then what quality of a life, even if it’s a longer one does that give.
When I’m going on proper walks I’ll usher the others out the door, give him a treat and run, but I make sure we do little walks he can join, or I’ll sit in a field and he can wander as far as he wants just sniffing, he seems to enjoy that too.
I stop play if it’s getting serious! He’s often happily distracted from the others playing if I play tug with a sock or just roll a ball at him to grab.
He needs some sort of mental occupation as he’s not ready to just be an old snoozy dog.
 
poiuytrewq said:
It’s hard isn’t it.
I could make ours stay home and not allow him to play with the others but then what quality of a life, even if it’s a longer one does that give.
When I’m going on proper walks I’ll usher the others out the door, give him a treat and run, but I make sure we do little walks he can join, or I’ll sit in a field and he can wander as far as he wants just sniffing, he seems to enjoy that too.
I stop play if it’s getting serious! He’s often happily distracted from the others playing if I play tug with a sock or just roll a ball at him to grab.
He needs some sort of mental occupation as he’s not ready to just be an old snoozy dog.
Click to expand...
It is, very hard. Jesse does lot of snoozing thankfully but if I move she is at my heels, worries if I leave her She is 14 so I know her time is limited but dread losing her.
 
One of mine became increasingly clingy as she got older and more in pain. She started being unhappy sleeping in the kitchen and took up residence in the hall outside the bedroom door, did not like being left behind etc. It was all because she was hurting.
 
poiuytrewq said:
Its never a nice thought or time. I don't think ours will be around a whole lot longer, Ultimatly he's Mr P's dog though so not my decision, I'm not looking forward to having that fight again. :(
Click to expand...
It was the same with our old girl, not my call but it was awful to watch. She was far worse than yours sounds.
Tawny’s loss was absolutely destroying to go through but at least there was no choice and it was very quick.
 
Last edited:
Just awful, I'm very much taking everything as it comes with Spud dog, As things are if i really ask myself I genuinley do think he's happy and still has a life, however, If he were actually mine and totally my call I think happy and enjoying life is how I'd want to remember.
I'd be fighting a loosing battle whilst he is mentally as he is, so I've not even brought the subject up yet, and that's ok with me at the moment. I am geared for a full blown war coming up though.
 
Mine is the same, she is on medication and sees the vet. She is very enthusiastic about her daily walk/run in the fields, but she has reduced the distance - she heads off home if I try to go further!

But I can see that she is uncomfortable and has also taken to sleeping on a chair upstairs and wants to be with me a lot more.

I know she is in her twilight years, but oddly it is OH who seems more upset by the idea. I think that if medication wasn't available she would be in quite a bad state, and limping around the place.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top