How to tell if a dog is suffering

Is Your Dog in Pain? Signs and Symptoms of Pain

Having lived around humans for thousands of years,dogs are masters at reading our emotionsand body language. But we dont always return the favor, especially when it comes to noticing that our dogs are in pain. And make no mistake, dogsdofeel pain. They just dont always show it the way we do. Pain and discomfort can severely impact your dogs quality of life, so its important to learn how to read the signs and intervene when your dog is suffering.

Do Some Dogs Feel Pain More Than Others?

Some dogs are incredibly stoic while others might whimper and whine at the first sign of the nail trimmer. It all depends on their personality. And maybe their breed.Research on pain tolerance between breedsshowed that there are differences, at least as far as the perception of veterinarians and the public goes. For instance,Labrador Retrievers,Mastiffs, andAmerican Staffordshire Terrierswere rated to have very low sensitivity to pain whileWhippets,Maltese, andChihuahuaswere considered to have high sensitivity. Although there isnt yet any physiological basis for these perceived differences, it makes sense as different breeds were developed for different purposes. For example, a Mastiff with high pain sensitivity wouldnt have been terribly effective as a big-game hunter or war dog, two jobs they were historically used for.

How to Know If Your Dog Is in Pain

Whether your dog is stoic or gives Broadway-worthy dramatics, how can you be sure when theyre experiencing pain? You might expect your dog to solicit help from you when they arent feeling well. After all, they have no problem asking for awalkortreat. As useful as that would be, it just doesnt work like that. Most dogs downplay their pain. After all, it makes a wild animal vulnerable to aggression or predation if they show signs of weakness, and dogs have inherited that instinct. You need to watch for subtle signals, which means truly knowing your dogs baseline behavior and activity levels. The signs of pain might be physical, behavioral, or a combination, so be alert to anything out of the ordinary.

Physical Signs of Pain in Dogs

Physical signs of pain in dogs can be obvious, likelimping, or more subtle, like simply not going as far as usual on your daily walks. Some of the physical signs your dog is in pain include:

• Mobility issues. Your dog might limp, walk slower than normal, or even refuse to walk at all. Or they might become reluctant to use the stairs or jump on and off furniture or into and out of the car.
• Difficulty changing position. It might hurt your dog tolie downor get up again. You might notice them frequently shifting positions as they try to get comfortable.
• Shakingor trembling.
• Abnormal posture. Your dog might have a hard time standing or sitting in their usual way. For example, they might hold their head low, arch their back, or shift their weight forward or back to take pressure off sore joints.
• Pantingexcessively, even when resting.
• Changes in facial expression. Your dogs face might look less relaxed, or they might grimace or have a blank expression. Your dog also might look drowsy with half-closed eyes which can be from the pain interfering with your dogs ability to sleep.
• Decreased appetite. Your dog might eat and drink less or even go off their food.

Behavioral Signs of Pain in Dogs

Just as with people, pain can make dogs cranky, so watch for changes in your dogs behavior. Learn toread your dogs body language, so you can spotsigns of stressassociated with pain. For example, your dog might pull back their ears or look away when you try to pet a painful area. Or they might tuck their tail, lick their lips, oryawnwhen you pull out the leash. All of which indicateyour dog feels anxiousabout the experience. Other behaviors to watch for include:

• Lowered energy levels. Your dog might not want to play orexercisefor as long as they used to.
• Restless behavior or pacing. This can be because your dog cant settle comfortably.
• Changes in sleep. Your dog may be unable to sleep as long as usual due to discomfort, or they might sleep even more to escape the pain.
• Lack of interest in toys or games.
• Disinterest in physical contact. Your dog might flinch when you reach out to touch them or hide atgrooming time.
• Licking or biting themselves. Dogs can become fixated on painful body parts and may lick or chew them until they have created a bare patch in their fur or injured their skin.
• Depressionor anxiety. Your dog might withdraw from activities they used to enjoy or seem quieter than usual.
• Housetraining accidents. If your dog finds it painful to get up or walk, they might avoid going outside for the bathroom. Holding it like this can lead to accidents in the house.
• Aggression. Any new sign of aggression could be a result of pain. Discomfort can lead to irritability making it harder for your dog to put up withhandling,brushing, petting, etc.
• Seeking more attention than usual. Your dog might solicit affection as it provides comfort from the pain and stress of the situation.

Vocalizations Dogs Make When Theyre in Pain

Dogs also communicate pain withvocalizations. Watch for groaning or grunting when your dog moves, particularly when lying down or getting up. They might also yelp when you touch a tender spot on their body.Whiningand whimpering are sounds of distress. You might also hear yourdog howlingmore than usual. And finally, watch forgrowlingwhen people or other pets approach your dog. That could be your dogs way of preventing any interactions they anticipate might be painful.

What to Do If Your Dog Is in Pain

When you see signs of pain in your dog, the first thing to determine is whether the situation is critical. This is usually obvious as the signs are more severe or seem to come out of the blue. Pain with sudden onset, also known as acute pain, can result from injury, like a broken bone or strained muscle, or illness, like anear infection. Dont take a wait and see approach. Your dog is suffering, and the situation could be more serious than it looks. Part of being aresponsible dog owneris taking your pet to an emergency veterinary clinic as soon as possible so treatment and pain relief can begin.

Chronic pain in dogsis pain that has been going on for a while. It might look more subtle and sneak up on you. For example, you might only realize your dog has been sleeping more than usual after a few weeks go by. Illnesses likearthritis,periodontal disease, orcancercan cause this type of pain. Its also common insenior dogs, but dont just dismiss it as normal aging it isnt. Again, your dog needs a trip to the veterinarian, but in this case, you likely dont need the emergency clinic. However, when you book the appointment, be sure to explain the signs your dog has been exhibiting, so the clinic can determine how quickly your dog needs to be seen.

There are ways you can help your vet diagnose the source of your dogs pain. First, keep a detailed record of what youve noticed. For example, does your dog avoid stairs all the time or only after getting up from a nap? Or how long have they been picking at their food? Second, try to photograph or videotape the behavior of concern. Dogs often behave differently at the clinic than they do at home, so providing the vet with details will help them understand how your dog is feeling.

While you wait for your vet appointment, modify or stop any activities that seem to trigger pain. For example, if your dog doesnt want to go for a walk, simply take them out for bathroom breaks. Or provide a ramp or stairs to help them in and out of the car. But dont give your dog any medications without prior instruction from a veterinarian as manyhuman drugs are dangerous for dogs. Once your vet has zeroed in on the problem, they will discuss treatment options with you which could range fromlaser therapytoacupuncturetodietary supplements. The important thing is to identify signs of pain promptly because the sooner your dogs pain is managed and treated, the better their quality of life will be.

Signs a Dog Is Dying

As pet parents, we all fear the loss of our beloved canine companions. Many dogs age gracefully without serious health issues, but others may suffer from chronic, debilitating, or terminal illnesses that reduce their quality of life. Inevitably, we reach that heartbreaking realization that our companion is nearing the end of their time with us.

One of the biggest questions that pet parents grapple with is whether the time is rightis it too soon? Other pet parents wonder if they can just let their pet die naturally at home, without medical intervention. Pet parents hope this scenario will play out peacefully, with their dog passing quietly in their sleep.

The reality, however, is that natural death is not usually peaceful, and dogs with terminal illnesses could suffer for days from pain, nausea, and anxiety as their bodies begin to shut down. This is why the standard is for veterinarians to offer painless, humane euthanasia to end a pets suffering.

What Are the Signs a Dog Is Dying?

There are many clinical signs that may indicate a dog may be starting a decline toward death. However, these signs can also be vague indicators of other non-terminal health issues, so its important to have your dog examined by their regular veterinary team if you notice a change or decline in their health or daily routine at home.

Changes may develop as early as three months prior to death. These changes can be physical or behavioral and may include:

• Mental/behavioral changesThis might include depression; confusion; agitation; restlessness; anxiety; increased clinginess; isolation; becoming detached from human or animal companions; loss of interest in social interaction, activities, or toys; or aggression (usually due to chronic or persistent pain, but may also be from a brain tumor).

• Circulatory shutdownDogs in heart failure may develop a cough due to changes in the size of their heart, along with weakness caused by anemia and poor circulation of oxygenated blood through their system.

• Changes in breathing patternsDogs may start panting even while at rest, develop a cough, or have increased difficulty drawing a normal breath. This can be secondary to heart failure; a respiratory disease causing a change in their acid/base balance; cancer; or a metabolic disease such as diabetes, kidney failure, or liver or adrenal gland disorders.

• Changes in appetite or thirstAppetite and water intake will gradually decline as the dogs organ systems begin to shut down. Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea may be present in dogs with underlying kidney, liver, or gastrointestinal disease.

• Loss of mobilityThis can be due to pain, loss of muscle mass, lethargy, or weakness.

• Weight lossThis can be due to not eating or significant muscle atrophy due to neoplasia or other diseases.

• Incontinence (urinary and/or fecal)Dogs may be physically unable to rise from their beds to go outside, or they may have musculoskeletal and neurological deterioration that affects their urethral and anal sphincters.

Assessing Your Dogs Quality of Life

If youre looking for signs that its time to talk about euthanasia, these questions can help determine your dogs quality of life:

1. Is your dog still eating and drinking? If they cant eat or drink on their own, can you provide a way for them to eat or drink comfortably?

2. Are they still able to enjoy the same activities and social interactions with you and other pets in the household?

3. Is your dog comfortable at home, able to move about to urinate or poop, and able to rest without experiencing pain?

4. Ultimately, are they having more good days than bad?

If the answer to these questions is no, then its probably time to consider end-of-life care for your dog. Options can include palliative or hospice care, euthanasia (either at home or in the clinic, and discussions on how you might want to memorialize your dog after their death.

Quality of Life Scale

Similar to the questions above, you can also use the Quality of Life scale created by Dr. Alice Villalobos to assess a dogs overall physical and mental well-being. The parameters for the scale include:

• Hurt

• Hunger

• Hydration

• Hygiene

• Happiness

• Mobility

• More good days than bad

Each H and M is rated on a scale of 1-10. Total scores of 35 or higher suggest that a dog still has an acceptable quality of life and that palliative care options may be beneficial. Scores below 35 indicate an unacceptable quality of life and that the dog may need hospice or euthanasia considerations sooner rather than later.

What Is the Natural Dog Dying Process and Stages?

A natural death does not mean a peaceful death. The stages of dying can be very stressful to watch. This is why euthanasia is used to provide a pain-free, humane end of life for pets.

Without this, a pets breathing patterns continue to falter, and dogs may develop a death rattle in their chest, when mucus builds up in the throat. Their body temperature will begin to fall, and their extremities may feel cooler to the touch.

Dogs that are dying are typically unable to rise to relieve themselves, so pet parents should have disposable pads and replaceable bedding to maintain proper hygiene and comfort. Dogs typically show no interest in eating or drinking at this time.

The final transition to death comes when a dogs organs shut down, they stop breathing, and their heart stops beating. Once breathing and heartbeat have stopped for 30 minutes after a natural death, pet parents can be assured that their dog has passed away.

After death, there may be some brief muscle twitching, a last deep exhale, and loss of bladder and bowel control as the muscles relax. This can be very troubling to watch, because you may mistakenly believe your dog is still alive, so it is especially important to understand that this happens as part of death.

How Does Euthanasia Help Dying Dogs?

In contrast to the process of natural death, which can be prolonged and painful, euthanasia has evolved to offer a much less stressful experience for the pet parents and a fear-free experience for the pet.

The euthanasia appointment will begin with veterinary technicians placing an IV catheter into your dogs vein to ensure that all injections can be delivered easily. Your dog may feel brief discomfort as the catheter is inserted.

After placement of the IV catheter, the veterinarian will give a sedative injection to allow your dog to relax and fall into a state of semiconsciousness. Next, the final euthanasia injection is given, and death typically occurs within a couple of minutes. Your dog may do a full-body stretch and take a deep breath before their body relaxes completely. Their pupils will dilate, breathing will cease, and their heart will stop beating.

The veterinarian will confirm death by listening for a heartbeat, feeling for a pulse, and listening for breathing sounds. They may also gently touch the surface of the eye to make sure there is no blink reflex.

What to Do if You Think Your Dog Is Dying

If you are seeing signs of declining health or have scored the quality-of-life areas, take this information with you to your vet to discuss your options. They may say that your dog can go into palliative care, or they may suggest hospice or that you go ahead with euthanasia as soon as possible.

Palliative Care vs. Euthanasia

The goal of palliative care is to control pain and provide comfort during the declining stages of life. While palliative care is a valuable alternative to more aggressive medical therapies, it may not be a realistic option for all pets. You will have to see whether it makes sense for you and think of these questions:

1. Will you be required to give multiple medications with a complicated dosing schedule or frequent dosing adjustments? This is typical of diseases like diabetes mellitus, Cushings disease, Addisons disease, heart failure, and certain types of cancer.

2. Will your dog require mobility assistance that may exceed your physical abilities? For example, a 90-pound older person is probably not able to carry a large dog outside several times a day to go potty.

3. Does the temperament of your dog make palliative treatment unsafe for you to attempt at home?

4. Does the palliative care plan conflict with your personal, cultural, or spiritual beliefs about medical care, relief of suffering, and end of life options?

Considering Euthanasia

Once medications and other palliative efforts are no longer able to maintain an acceptable quality of life for a terminally ill dog, try to be open to the idea of humane euthanasia. While it can be a scary prospect, and many pet parents struggle with the issue of whether they can make that decision, it is a much more humane and loving option for dying pets than to opt for natural death at home.

Dogs enter the final stages of death as their body systems fail, resulting in a buildup of toxins that the body can no longer excrete, leading to severe nausea, vomiting, and seizure activity in some cases. Intractable pain due to joint disease or neoplasia can also make resting in one spot unbearable while simultaneously making it difficult for the dog to stand, eat, drink, or go to the bathroom. Respiratory and cardiac failure do not often cause pain, but both can cause tremendous anxiety in dogs struggling to draw a breath.

If your canine companion has reached a stage where comfort and quality of life have failed, contact your veterinarian immediately to schedule a euthanasia appointment. This appointment may take place in the clinic or at home, but decisions should be made quickly so as not to prolong your dogs suffering.

How to Comfort a Dying Dog

The kindest thing you can do for your dog in their final days is to make sure they are as comfortable as possible.

Keep clean, supportive (cushioned or orthopedic) bedding available, along with disposable potty pads to avoid soiling the bedding if incontinence is an issue. Some dogs may tolerate diapers, but you must change the diapers frequently, keeping the fur and skin free of urine and fecal matter to avoid skin irritation or infection in the genital area.

If your dog has a favorite blanket or toy or an item of clothing that smells like you, keep those nearby to comfort them if you have to leave them unattended for a while. Spending as much time as possible with your dog will not only give them the emotional support and comfort they need, but it will also allow you to watch for signs of discomfort or anxiety.

Continue all prescribed medications if your dog will tolerate them, to keep pain and anxiety to a minimum. Some dogs that are not eating well may experience nausea if medications are given on an empty stomach. Speak with your veterinarian about adjusting any medications to be sure that they are providing maximum relief. Dogs may also benefit from mild sedatives to help them sleep at night if they are restless.

When your dogs final momentsarrive, you may feel conflicted about watching your friend transition to death. As difficult as it may be, it will provide great comfort for them to know their loving family is there with them.

The decision of whether to allow children or other pets to be present during death should be made on an individual family basis, considering the age of the child and the temperament of the other animals in the home.

Some experts believe that children and other pets should not be included in the final goodbye, but others feel that seeing their companion in the moments after death will help bring some level of closure and understanding that the pet has passed on.

Featured image: iStock.com/AnnaStills