Veterinarians are issuing an urgent warning to pet owners that your dog may be in ‘serious pain’ but is suffering in silence – here are the signs to look out for
Your dog may be in “severe pain” but suffer in silence, vets have warned.
However, there may be some surprising signs if your dog needs help.
In a blog post, Vets Now – a UK-based emergency and critical care service for out-of-hours pets – revealed some telltale clues you should look out for.
They also emphasize that any changes in behavior are worth keeping an eye on.
One of the easiest to spot is antisocial or aggressive behavior. This could be if your pet stops running to greet you at the door or even hides from you.
In a blog post, Vets Now – an urgent and critical out-of-hours pet care service – revealed some subtle tips to watch out for
Other possible signs of pain may include your dog yelling more in his cries, heavy panting even without exercising, and decreased interest in activity or exercise.
Body and posture changes can also be important, such as a ‘hunched’, ‘stiff’ position or a big ‘downward dog’ style stretch, allowing them to focus on their abdominal area if there is pain in that region.
Any irregularities in eating, drinking, or sleeping habits are also important to consider.
A dog in pain is likely to sleep more in an effort to heal and rest, and just like humans, a loss of appetite or changes in our regular eating and drinking schedules can be a symptom of underlying issues.
If your dog has difficulty eating or chewing dry and/or solid food, tooth pain may be a factor.
And sometimes the signs can be a little surprising and even seem positive.
While we want our pups to fend for themselves, excessive grooming can also be a sign that something is wrong – especially if they are constantly licking their paws, which is reportedly a typical first reaction to cleaning and caring for a wound.
Vets also advise owners to keep an eye out for mobility issues, especially if they notice stiffness or a limp, which could mean an injury, aching paws or, in some cases, arthritis.
Perhaps one of the most easily recognized behaviors is antisocial or aggressive behavior. This will allow your pet to stop running to greet you at the door or even hide from you
Other possible signs of pain include agitation — such as restlessness or difficulty getting comfortable — and shaking or shivering, which could even be a symptom of something as serious as poisoning or kidney disease.
It’s because the boom in pet ownership has led to an “extremely worrying” increase in aggressive behavior by dogs, according to a survey of veterinarians.
Half of UK vets report an increase in customers concerned about their dogs’ increasingly aggressive behavior over the past 12 months, the survey found.
While veterinarians in the study were often unsure of the exact age of the dogs involved, it was believed that 87 percent of the dogs were under three years old in cases where the age was known.
Nearly one in four (24 percent) veterinarians also reported an increase in the number of pets they had treated in the past 12 months and were injured as a result of dog aggressive behavior.
The British Veterinary Association, which commissioned the study, said the findings highlight the long-term effects on puppies purchased during the 2020-2021 lockdown.