How to Recognize and Manage Your Dog's Pain

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Did you miss our pain management event with Dr. Tori Countner, the balanced pet vet? Here’s a breakdown of her talk and highlight's of the discussion.

Recognizing Our Dog's Signs of Pain

Not only are our pets incapable of telling us how they feel, according to Dr. Countner, dogs are programmed to hide pain! Nobody wants their dogs to silently suffer, so here are some signs that your dog might be hiding pain.

Adjustments to Make For Dogs in Pain

So what can we do for our dogs who aren’t feeling like their best selves? Of course, we must bring them in for regular checkups, but there are also changes we can make in our daily routines that can help ease our dog’s pain. For example, if you notice your dog is having trouble with stability and is sliding on your hardwood floors, add rugs and yoga mats to high-traffic areas to help stabilize them. You can also add baby gates to your home to prevent them from using the stairs, take them for stroller walks, and continue to engage them with things like food puzzles and nice, slow walks dedicated to sniffing.

Pain Treatments

Dr. Countner believes in a combination of Western and Eastern medicine when it comes to pain management for dogs. There are many natural remedies that can benefit our dogs, but she also advocates for trusting science and modern medicine. Dr. Countner suggests taking pictures and videos of your dogs at home to give your vet a better understanding of their behavior and possible areas of pain. The vet may utilize x-rays, blood work, physical therapy, acupuncture, and western medications such as NSAIDs and Gabapentin. Opioids and steroids should be considered last resort drugs, as they are hard on the body but can be necessary in extreme cases. It’s also important to address weight management and anxiety.

Eastern medicine can also be highly beneficial to our dogs in pain and are a great addition to our western methods of medicine. Here are some natural supplements and pain relief methods suggested by Dr. Countner. Remember to consult with your vet first, especially if they are on any other medications that may cause interference.

Now you know how to recognize when your dog is in pain and have some ideas for making adjustments or treating the pain. Want to watch the entire Petminded Presents Pain Management in Dogs presentation?

Join us on Instagram for other important science-minded discussions about caring for your dog.

20.9.2021
Body Language
Dog Science Experts
Science
Senior
Dog Health
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